Austin Healey Sprite wheels

[IslipMinor]

Mike,

They look identical to ours, which are 5 1/2" wide, with 185/70x13 tyres. The originals were bought in 1970 when it was all about fitting 'wide wheels and radial ply tyres' and I bought 4 others at Beaulieu a few years ago that look identical.

The centres are from the A40 Farina and the rims are one-piece, no bands, and are welded onto the centre with a continuous weld in 4 places. That is fine and very strong, but the middle of the centre is what has broken up on ours. I will get some standard A40 wheels, with rivetted-on rims, and replace the broken ones, but 2 in the same week suggests a deeper problem that needs a different solution unfortunately.

[mike.perry]

The standard Minor 3/8 Whit. wheel nuts had the wrong chamfer so I had to fit 11/16 AF trailer wheel nuts to tighten the wheels properly.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - the Mini wheel nuts have a slightly different taper - and are 11/16 AF.
Richard - you just need to drive more slowly......

[IslipMinor]

Richard - you just need to drive more slowly

Yes, maybe, but how much more? If it can happen once, it can again, so very sadly the steel wheels will have to go I think?

[bmcecosse]

Well -just keep an eye on them. They've lasted long and well, and new centres should last as long, although sticky tyres may be the problem - and I agree - I like old skool steel wheels on a car of this age. Alloys just don't look quite right, although period Minilites are fine of course.