alloy wheels

[bungalowbill71]

hello I m wondering which alloys are best looking on a minor,the widely used minilite copies from china, or the much rarer cosmics made in the uk lets hear what you think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MarkyB]

Why worry what we think?
It's your car, what do you think?

[bungalowbill71]

well to tell the truth I have 1 saloon with minilites and a traveller with cosmics , standard wheels inthe shed so I ve got a choice !

[bmcecosse]

Cosmics ? In 14" ?? Let's see them!

[irmscher]

i thought max size for cosmic alloys was "13???? maybe these are dunlop ones

[bungalowbill71]

Here is my choice of wheels the cosmics are 13" 165 80 13 and the minators are from bullmotif and are 185 60 14 and are slightly smaller rolling diameter also not got round to painting front wings yet[frame][/frame]

[plg422d]

Sorry chaps you are missing the most important and iconic alloy wheel from the 70's.

I am of course talking about the Wolfrace Magslot - 13" running 175/75. I have had these on since 1976 and don't think anything else comes close[frame][/frame]

[youngcamper]

I've got to agree with you, Slot mags are the best.

[bmcecosse]

Have to say on the Minor I think the Minilite type are unbeatable. But I do think my Wolfrace 'slotmag' wheels are superb on my TR7 !

[chrisryder]

you're forgetting gloss black minilites! well actually mine say 'minilight' but it's close enough!
[frame][/frame]

[youngcamper]

I take it back, I really like minilights in black .

[chrisryder]

I take it back, I really like minilights in black .

another one converted

everyone will have black wheels soon, and then i'll have to start setting a new trend.

orange perhaps...

[Alec]

Hello all,

a question for you followers of fashion, alloy wheels were first used on competion cars, but why, it certainly wasn't because they looked 'awesome'?

Alec

[hanvyj]

Sorry chaps you are missing the most important and iconic alloy wheel from the 70's.

I am of course talking about the Wolfrace Magslot - 13" running 175/75. I have had these on since 1976 and don't think anything else comes close[frame][/frame]

I like those. Never been a fan of non-original wheels, but all these look rather good - I've only ever spotted more modern ones on minors which I don't like...

Have you ever thought to paint them the body-colour?

[charlie_morris_minor]

Hello all,

a question for you followers of fashion, alloy wheels were first used on competion cars, but why, it certainly wasn't because they looked 'awesome'?

Alec

cooling / weight / strength.

i.e. you could build a wheel with better cooling for the brakes lighter and stronger out of alloy when compared to steel.

[chrisryder]

yep, alloy and magnesium wheels were developed to reduce the unsprung mass.

lower unsprung mass means less inertia, making it easier for the wheel to change direction (up and down) on bumpy surfaces. means the tyre is in contact with the road more, so you can get the power (or brakes) performing at their best.

interestingly enough though, when i fitted my alloys, i weighed the steels+tyres that came off (10kg) and weighed the alloy+tyre that were going on... (15kg!)

but that was almost doubling the width of rim, from 3 to 5.5 inches, and going from 155 tyres to 185's.

like for like, alloys should be lighter than steels.

[Alec]

Hello Chris,

yes, that's the answer, and as you say, they were often made of magnesium which is lighter than aluminium. Original Minilites were also magnesium I believe?

Alec

[AntB]

[frame][/frame]

it also helps that Chris' minor is bereft of over riders*, wing mirrors etc, along with the black alloys it makes the most of the lines.

*like*

* they way it should be ;)

[bmcecosse]

The more open design of the early alloy wheels (eg Minilite etc) was also designed to provide better brake cooling - partly due to conduction but mostly due to improved airflow over the hot brake parts. Not necessary of course if using the 9" Wolseley or Riley drum brakes......

[plg422d]

Not body colour but would like to get them polished to a very bright finish again...