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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Widening (banding) wheels. Who's cheapest?

I have researched banding, and have found several references to Netherlands, as being a place where it is done well, and cheap enough to be worth getting it done there.

Anybody know if this is likely?

Anybody know where is best and cheapest (if this is not mutally exclusive) in the UK, to get wheels banded?
Lawrence Slater

Check on VW forums, they go in for a lot of that sort of thing

these people

http://www.bandedsteels.com/Prices.html

are recommended on the mini forum for widening the 10 inch wheels

My own personal opinion is that I don;t like 'em, don;t think they're safe and I wouldn't have them on my car. As this is opinion it can be ignored if you like, but presumably Mr Insurance will want to know about it.
Rob Armstrong

Curious as to the basis for vehemently not liking these? Yes there is a lot of crap about, and likely some of us are driving same, but the process can be perfectly OK and has been used in production.
"The welds on the wheels are coded to a British Standard and can be proven with a welding certificate."

OTOH, looking at this site, I find that there seems to be a movement to fit tyres to wheels that are twice as wide as design specs - strange!

FRM
FR Millmore

Methinks you are the slightly cautious type Rob. (or could be described as sensible ).

Nothing wrong with that it's not a criticism in any way, we are all different.

Just imo of course.

I was born a lunatic, and seem to have become moreso as I've aged. That said, I dont jump off cliffs without a parachute.

I looked into banding, it's not a big safety issue, if its done well, and it's not that hard to do, if you are a good welder. You rely on welds on other parts of a car, so why not on wheels too?

Used to be way more common to see banding, but the market has largely gone I guess, coz of the availability of minilites and the like.

Anyway, the site you mention is one I looked at. 4 wheels 335 for 1 inch bands plus vat. Hence my Q about holland possibily being cheaper.

But I since found another on Ebay for 60 quid per wheel. Of course I need to check him out first, but he may be an option if I can get my original 3.5 inch steels cheap enough.

I dont want esp wide tyres, I just want 165's on original steels with hubcaps.

I did in the past fit 165's to my original steels prior to getting shot, and getting rostyles, but I doubt I could get it done today (probably some new rule with tyre fitting), and anyway they looked too big for the rims, irrespective of anything else.

But I have to say, it never gave me a functional problem all those years ago. I drove all over Greece with 165s on 3.5 inch steels. UK to France, italy, greece crete, yogoslavia, austria germany holland home. I didn't even get a puncture let alone lose a tyre in over 3 months.

But 4.5 or 5 inch steels would look nicer hence my need for banding.



Lawrence Slater

LOL Rob - seems that we like our young necks, as I too wouldn't go for it ;)!

You are indeed correct, Mr Insurance WILL need to know all about it.
rachmacb

So. I'll tell Mr insurance.

What's the big deal in that?

Are you really serious, that with all your daredevil autotesting and hillclimbing, you are worried about banded wheels? Come on.
Lawrence Slater

The saying goes SAFETY fast - if your car isn't in tip top condition, it's not going to carry you - simples as the ruddy meerkat says
rachmacb

Personally I wouldn't touch banded wheels with a bargepole - I've seen FAR too many failures.


"Are you really serious, that with all your daredevil Autotesting and Hillclimbing, you are worried about banded wheels? Come on."


If banded wheels are safe, then why does the MSA outlaw them for competitive motorsport events?
Deborah Evans

"why does the MSA outlaw them for competitive motorsport events?"
if it were in BlueBook would expect to find it in J.5.8 which it isn't so can you quote a reference for that statement please?
David Smith

"If banded wheels are safe, then why does the MSA outlaw them for competitive motorsport events?"

If true, and I know nothing about the subject ---- then I suppose it could be due to the extra stress on track cars wheels?

I'm not talking about racing with them.

Tell me this. List and detail, all the public road accidents, attributed to the failure of banded wide wheels in the last 40 years please.

I suspect it's all annecdotal. Somebody who knew somebody, who heard from his aunt vera kinda stuff.

A weld is as strong if not stronger than the metal it joins, on the proviso it is done properly.

A good welder, is a skilled guy. They can weld Gas tight joints under the North sea. Welding a Steel Wheel in a garage or workshop in controlled conditions is not that much of a task to a skilled guy.

I have no doubt that there have been failures of banded wheels, and no doubt that they weren't done properly. That is no reason to state that ALL banding is crap and a risk. It is clearly not.

Sounds like a case of scared of shadows and things that go bump in the night to me.
Lawrence Slater

Tell me this also, anyone.

Why is it, that one can ask a question around here, and irrespective of the question asked, get offered "safety" advice, but not the answer to the question?

If you (anybody) must give it large on the "safteeeeeee", at least please also give some time, to the question asked too.

Is that asking too much? Or is that a safety issue too?
Lawrence Slater

I think that perhaps you sometimes are confusing safety with preparation and having the best car prepared for the job it's doing.

As such, I wouldn't use banded wheels - but then, there aren't that many steel ones used in autotesting anyway coz of the weight and the superb quality of alloys.

So - anytime you'd like to put my car against yours - you're more than welcome - meetcha on the circuit!
rachmacb

Lawrence, it's the general fricking malaise in this country - we are surrounding ourselves with new generations of taught-by-rote namby-pamby jobsworths who don't have the ability to think for themselves and do a risk analysis and put things into context. Discuss.
David Smith

It more local than that David, This BBS used to be a very different place, full of practical help and positive ideas. In recent year the glass half empty protagonists seem to have taken over.

Sorry Lawrence, I cannot help with your banded wheel requests - no experience of that in recent years although we did use them on our rally mini in 1972/73/74 and they passed scrutineering!
Guy

David, I couldn't agree more. As for risk analysis, I wonder if some people do a risk analysis everytime they go for a walk.

Do you reckon Amy Johnson would have made it to Australia if todays attitudes prevailed back then?

Planes had a tendancy to fall out of the sky back then for a multitude of reasons, and some people wouldn't go in one or near one, with a barge pole. But that didn't stop her.

Now by comparison to that, my wanting a set of banded original steel midget wheels, is like eating a mars bar. The worst that can happen there is I swallow the wrong way, and choke to death. I am unlikely in the extreme, to die of sugar poisoning.

If the weld is done properly by a qualified experienced welder, the worst that can happen is a slow puncture because of an air leak. I'm not talking about soldering the things together.

You're right David, it's all out of context. You can make a case for ANYTHING being dangerous if you try hard enough. These days more and more people wear cycle helmets, wherever they cycle. Me not. I wonder it is not compulsory yet.

I also wonder how long it will be before old people are advised to wear elbow protectors and head gear in their homes, to prevent injuries in the home. Or better yet, ALL pedestrians should be made to wear hard hats walking on the pavement, lest they should fall and crack their heads.

I notice lately that guys digging the road up or painting white lines, are all made to wear hard hats. Presumabley in case a pidgeon craps on his head.

Yes the current generation, and future ones are being turned into a population, scared of every eventuality, by over anxiety about every POTENTIAL danger, however remote the possibility.

Rach. I'm not confusing ANYTHING. I haven't asked you, or anyone else for that matter, to participate in the use of banded wheels. And as for your car being better than mine, well I couldn't give a rats fart if it is.

And my car isn't doing ANY kind of "job" beyond being used for the purpose I got it for. Having a laugh whilst driving it.

As regards "safety fast", it's not my saying, and my car hasn't been in tip top condition since it left a factory in 1966, and it certainly is not now. Inspite of that fact, it has carried me at least 300000 miles (its a guess I dont have a record) in 34 years, including up the M2 today at over the speed limit. Shsssh. Dont tell anyone.:)



Lawrence Slater

Guy, you obviously didn't die in a split banded wheel accident then?
Lawrence Slater

Okay to answer your question - any local good engineering firm should be able to do it properly.

But the method shown on the bandedsteels site is the ONLY method worth considering.

As for the safety aspect - MSA wont allow them because it opens up a legislation allowing anyone in their own garage to cut and weld a set of wheels - the idea alone scares me.

However, the idea of banding a steel wheel in itself is merely following the same process that has been done for years to widen wheels, even from the factory. End of the day, all steel wheels are welded together, and a properly welded join can prove stronger than rolled sheet.

Also have to agree wholeheartedly with Mr Smiths comments above - noone seems to adopt a trial and error method anymore. H&S reps should be shot on sight!!!!

Get it done, they WILL look awesome :D
PeterJMoore

Lots of things were popular then that aren't now - at that age, my parents put me on the back shelf of the midget - and yes, sadly for you all, I survived that too - however, not something that I'd necessarily do now. In many ways, health and safety IS a good thing, especially on the roads.

Times HAVE changed, and, cars have changed, and we're now talking about driving a car which is lower than the crash bar on most lorries, which, in the past, wasn't there and you'd be ok if you went behind.

AT the end of the day - everyone can do whatever they want to car, however, we owe it to everyone around us to have the car in the best condition that is possible - maybe you don't mind if you die, but, someones' family will mind if you kill them.
rachmacb

Nope, don't believe I did Lawrence. And since the wheels remained more or less intact over three seasons I don't think they disintegrated and killed anyone else either.
Guy

I strongly suggest then Rach, if you are really that worried by life today, you stop driving, and esp stop driving 30 to 40 year old cars.

People like you, if you get your way, will ensure that there is legislation to cover every eventuallity no matter how small the risk. For example, insisting that kids wear eye protectors whilst playing conkers or blowing soap bubbles.

I too sat on the rear shelf of the days sports cars. So what? 20 years ago I also sat my two nieces in the back of my sprite, and would do the same today if legal. The only reason I don't is nothing to do with your perceptions of safety. I don't want to get nicked.

How many instances of injured children can you list, that came a cropper sat on the back seat of a spridget then?

An Mx5 isn't that high and you can buy a new one of those. Sure spridgets are low, so don't get too close to a truck then if your worried by it.

I don't owe a thing to anyone actually.

And as far as being a danger is concerned, if I prang a merc, I'll be dead whilst they laugh at the slight scratch on the paint work. lol.

Rach you are confusing changed times for progress and improvement, not all of it is.

I suggest you and the others who think like you, campaign to have all classic cars registered as lethal weapons, and ultimately banned from the public roads, unless of course they are driven by people like you, who can be certain that they have been hillclimbed and autotested by experienced and very careful drivers.
Lawrence Slater

Gosh - such dislike towards someone who did express an offer to help you find your tyres and about whom you know nothing about.

Seems that, with all due respect, you ask for opinions purely to put forward your own, and, in the event that someone offers help or assistance, then you attack them - such as you did with Onno.

That's cool - I offered you a few suggestions previously, but they are obviously not what you require, so, in future I shall no longer waste my time, and let you attack everyone else :)
rachmacb

Balderdash Rach.

I didn't ask for yours or anyone elses opinion.
I asked quote---- "Anybody know where is best and cheapest (if this is not mutally exclusive) in the UK, to get wheels banded?

Lawrence Slater

Onno called me an ass, in reply i called him a pratt. fair exchange I think.

You offered the valuable advise that the insurance wouldn't like it, I didn't ask about insurance.

Please, is that a promise, you wont but in anymore?

I'm so grateful for that.

And don't flatter yourself that I dislike you Rach, I dont know you to form an oppinion one way or the other, and so haven't.
Lawrence Slater

Peter, thanks for that. (my post got lost somehow)

Anyway, I will ask a couple of local engineering firms, but suspect that even if they are willing and able, they will be more expensive than bandedsteels. And Bandedsteels description of method looks good to me. Wish he were local to me i like to go to a place first if I haven't used them before.

Funny to think that when I got shot of my original steels all those years ago, I could have got this done almost anywhere for a song. All those minis that used to fly around with wide wheels. There used to be a place called Mitcham Motors (south london) did this sort of thing, no doubt long gone.

Still I'll keep looking.

Thanks to all who offered anything other than safety advice.
Lawrence Slater

I have seen some nasty rim failures on race car alloy wheels caused by minor impacts - some alloys out there were definitely produced to a budget and the metal and casting quality can sometimes leave a lot to be desired... I don't particularly like steel disc wheels on Midgets (and couldn't use them on my racer) so wouldn't go down the banded route, but I don't really see why a set of banded wheels done properly would be any less safe than any other set of wheels...

Having said that, getting argumentative with someone who has a different point of view to you on an internet forum is an amazingly pointless exercise, as they say in the British Army 'opinions are like @rseholes - everyone's got one...'
James B

James I want steels coz I want to go back to hub caps for the pleasure it gives my eye.

Road use only.

However the originals are 3.5 inch, and won't take a 165 tyre these days I understand.

Although I have yet to confirm that, as I used to have 165's on my original 3.5s many years ago, but suspect fitters wouldn't do it these days.

Anyway, hence my enquirey about where to get banding done, good and cheap.

As for the rest, it's all irrelevant, but if I ask for the time, and get a weather forcast instead, ---- well I get bored easily.:P

I see you are a kent man too.

Know any wheel banders round here?

ps thats a nice green midget you have there.

Lawrence Slater

>>However the originals are 3.5 inch, and won't take a 165 tyre these days I understand.<< just do it, take the risk for yourself why listen to others who say 3.5 wont take 165 - you know they will

>>but suspect fitters wouldn't do it these days<< cors they will, youyou put the wheels, tyres and money in front of them and tell them to get on with it - bish, bash

Do you reckon Amy Johnson would have procratinated like you have, seeking the apporoval of others - no she'd have put the tyres on the wheels herself
N Atkins

Its a little matter of the LAW nigel.

I comply with that because I dont have control over it.

If and when I can establish that it is in fact legal, to have 165 tyres on steel 3.5 inch rims, and can find a tyre fitting co willing to fit them and balance them, I might well indeed, as an interim measure do just that and fit 165s to 3.5 inch rims.

I established many years ago that they don't fall off, long, long, long ago, before people could post irrelevant comments on BBS. If you had read all my posts properly, you would know this, and would therefore not post comments such as your most recent.

I am more than happy to engage with you nigel, because you seem like a nice chap, and seem genuinely to want to help.

I also detect a certain piss taking attitude, such as is possesed by my good self, and as such, I am sure we could enjoy a jar or two together down the boozer.

Do you really believe, that given the evidence of my posts, I seek the approval of others?

Now that makes even me inclined to LMAO.

Are you sure you don't abuse substances?
Lawrence Slater

Those are namby-pamby H&S laws you can ignore them

You’ve found out the law about banding wheels so look see what applies to tyres and wheel sizes

As for me helping, I do sometimes try but it’s mainly to get people to do what I want them to do, to persuade them to my beliefs

I did read your posts that why I put >>you know they will<< - do keep up

If in any way any element of humour has crept into my posts I apologise as it’s not intentional, as to drinking yes some great pubs Kent way but the ale in Northants is of a higher standard

To my last post here, as you picked up my spelling mistake before I thought it best to copy and paste the post from the raw difficult for me to read text in the white box to MS Word to amend but then I pasted back the uncorrected text – I didn’t check, I’m reckless
N Atkins

Well, this has been a lively one. :-)

Just wanted to mention that if you go with banding, you'll want to pay attention to proper offset so as not to adversely affect steering and handling.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Hi Gryf,

Lively indeed, and the more off the subject it strayed the more tiresome too. No pun intended. :)

I've emailed a couple of wheelbanders, and both have told me that as long as I only have one band fitted, the offset remains the same, as it is fitted to the outside of the rim. I'm not so sure about this though, since inserting an inch band, must shift the rim center and hence the offset too.

It would be helpful to know the offset on the original pressed steel 3.5 inch wheels.

Does anyone know it by chance?

Pleeeeeeeese everybody, no more views on whether or not you would do this yourself or that you consider it to be unsafe or otherwise. :) Can we just stick to the subject, and facts relating to it?

That would be really nice.

Pretty please?

Lawrence Slater

Hi Lawrence

Sorry I'm no help on local banded wheel makers. I have used a wheel refurbishment place in Gillingham called Lepsons, but I think they only do alloys.

Have you considered running a 155/70 x 13 tyre on your rim? - we used to race on that size in the FISC series with rev limited full race 1380 engines and its surprising the grip they generate.

I may have a couple of old 3.5 x 13 midget rims kicking around if you're still in need - don't think I have any hubcaps though...

Based in Ashford

Cheers

James
James Bilsland

Hi James, got the wheels already thanks. 5 for 31 quid on ebay, thanks to a poster here called Pkeily :).

Now looking for a local bander. Found one reccomended in Tonbridge, but just my luck he died last year.

Looks like Bandedsteels as suggested by Rob, and plenty of others. they seem to be the bees knees, but a bit pricey and I would prefer they were near enough to pay a vist for a look see.

Found a local engineering firm in Tonbridge too, and they used to do it, until someone convinced them it aint legal anymore.

I am going to try and straighten them out. They are a good firm with a good reputation for quality work, so hopefully I can convince them they are wrong to believe it is illegal to band steel wheels. I'll have to email VOSPA myself, and get it from the horses mouth.
Lawrence Slater

PS James, I'll ring Lepsons, you never know they might do steels or might know someone who does. Thanks
Lawrence Slater

Hi James, didn't notice your question about 155's. Yes I used to run 155's when I first got the sprite, way back in the last century.

But then fitted 165's, I ran this way for years, and found them much better. and have used that size ever since. Eventually I changed to 4.5 inch rostyles and kept the same size.

Never say never of course, but if I can't get the standard steels banded to 4.5 or 5, and can't find a fitter willing to fit 165's to the standards, then maybe back to 155's.

---- Actually I have now found several fitters who have no problem fitting them, but I'd like extra width to put the tyre tread squarer on the ground. Looks better.
Lawrence Slater

Interesting thread....

I also was under the impression that the MSA had banned the use of banded wheels some years ago and they were very frowned upon by the Law and MOT testers, but like David, have never seen it in writing.

Here in Australia, it's still common practice and one can get a wheel banded almost just around the corner. They will even do wire wheels and they are accepted for competition use too...!

I've come across people in the UK having new rims put on old centres, so you can run a welled rim with safety beads which are obvoiusly a lot safer than the earlier style.

Scarborough Racing Developments used to be the place closest to me for banded rims, not sure if they still do them though.

Good luck,

Mark.
M T Boldry

Hi,

There's no law prohibiting it for road use. The official UK authority (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)), says that as long as the vehicle (including wheels) complies with appropriate ligislation, it's ok. there is NO specific mention of widening wheels. It obviously has to be done properly by someone with good welding skills, not a jerk with a MIG.:):). So I wont be doing my own. lol.

Who knows who spread the rumours about illegality and MOTs? But once started, these things become "common knowledge". Most of what is "common knowledge", turns out to be either crap, or a distortion of the truth I find.

I don't know anything about racing regs, but it seems to be allowed or not, depending on who you talk to.

Anyway,
The name that keeps coming up here for widening by banding, is BandedSteels. They seemm to be the ones to use, but are a bit on the expensive side.

I found a place who fit new rims to existing centers, but it costs a lot more than having them made wider by banding. So I'll probably go for banding.

I wonder why it(banding/widening) didn't fall out of favour in Oz then?

There must be plenty of minilites there too. The easy availability of alloys, seems to be the main reason it's not so common anymore, but is so relatively expensive, here in the UK these days.

Cheers
Lawrence Slater

I've always seen these types of wheels on VWs but never known what they were called...and now i do!

They really suit the low-rider vibe on the VWs and i'd be keen to see how they look on a Midget - post some pics for us when you get it done please, Lawrence!

I can't see how (if done properly) they would be a safety concern, maybe (and that's a BIG maybe) with the forces generated on the rims when racing but if Lawrence is going to use them for road use then i really can't see any problems with it.
Jamie Watt

Here's a pic of Gary's Frogeye with wide steels...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21781858@N07/2106307189/
Dave O'Neill 2

The usual problem with steel wheels under racing conditions is that the nuts pull through the wheel centres - that said I believe it is correct that banded wheels are not allowed in motorsport.

JB
James Bilsland

Mine are 5.5j and are factory stamped (I think Rubery Owen) if they've been welded or banded, the weld is invisible to the naked eye.
Gary & Gaps

Gary.

Where did you say you leave the frog and those wheels parked precisley, at night?

And when will you be away for a few mins, or half an hour, so I could drop by and relieve you of the worry of caring for them? LOL

Now I really don't have any choice. I have to do mine now, they look too good not to do it.

The set on Ebay, that I didn't buy, were 5.5 Dunlops, factory made. But with the square arch I figured it was too much hassle, so I'll probably go for 4.5 on the banding, max of 5.

Well at least that WAS, what I decided. Now seeing your frog, maybe I'll have the 5.5 Dunlops and open the rear arches. They are still for sale I believe. :)
Lawrence Slater

BTW, what's the frog doing in that picture? Having a beer?
Lawrence Slater

Better view of the wheels here lol.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21781858@N07/2106293865/in/photostream/
Lawrence Slater

Lawrence

My personal choice would be to spend a bit extra and put later safety rims on your centres, then you can go tubeless and be a whole lot safer as well---------

Second choice for me would be (if you have plenty of rims) to get the outsides cut off your rims like as if you were getting them banded, but instead of banding get the wider inside half of another set of rims sliced off and welded onto the outside of your rims - This is a well used method of widening, only has one weld, a whole heap easier to get true and a lot less work than banding - Have a talk to your banding man, He'll know all about it

Cheers Willy
William Revit

Hi William,

Trouble is I don't have spare rims, and doing it that way that would be expensive.

I can get my centres re-rimmed ok, but it costs too much.

I don't consider it a safety issue at all, if it's done properly, and Banded Steels do it well, including ability to run tubless.

But I'll double check those points with them. www.bandedsteels.com


Lawrence Slater

Lawrence
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying banding is unsafe at all -- What I am suggesting is that the later rims with the safety lips are more safe than the early ones without
If you intend driving with any anger at all there is a choice saftey rims - or non safety WITH tubes
Cheers Willy
William Revit

Hi Willy,

I'm only a road user, and to the extent that you can drive with anger with todays traffic and speed cameras all over the place, well, I do my best. lol.

Why would I have to fit tubes? The original rims took tubless.

As far as tubes, go, well here is another admission that will get all the elf and safety bods jumping up and down then, and no doubt create a fresh debate. lol.

A couple of my rostyles are rusty on the sealing edge. I have a permanent slow pucture if I DONT have tubes in these wheels.

No big deal to me, I often had tubes in my wheels, be it bike or car. Esp on motor bikes when I had them, as it meant I could repair by the side of the road, and have done so many times.

Of course these days there is the gunk you spray inside after a puncture to get you going again, but this no good for my rostyles since it's not a puncture, just a bad seal. So I use tubes instead until I get shot of the rostyles.


Anyway according to Banded steels they can weld in the band and you wont need a tube, so it wont be an issue as far as I can see. :)
Lawrence Slater

Dunlop used to make lots of wide steel wheels - had 5.5 J x 13 on my Minor, 4.5 x 10 reverse rims ! for mini's etc - some must be still about like Gary's.

Noticed Weller steel wheels are still about (been going since 70's ISTR) - have you tried them ? - web site seems to imply they can make specials etc.

R.
richard boobier

Hi Lawrence
Down here on the bottom of the world, if you turn up to a speed event with old style rims and no tubes you simply don't get a start
With hard cornering, if you hit a bump while under load it is very easy to dislodge the tyre from it's mounted position and suddenly let all the air out -- not good
For your own safety I'd be using tubes if you havn't got safety rims,
It's not about what's legal or not, it's more about peace of mind for you and the health of you and your pasenger
Cheers Willy
William Revit

Hi Willy,

Sounds like you are talking about track events.

I'm just a public road user. And in over 40 years of driving I have never hit a bump in the road and lost air through the tyre being dislodged. Tubed or tubeless.

And you should see the pot holes on British roads these days. You need a tractor to negotiate some them they are so bad LOL.

Nah, I'm not worried about that.

Wellers do make wheels but not the originals I am after, and it seems the Dunlops that were on the web a while ago, have gone. I didn't buy them because I didn't want to fiddle with my rear square arches.

So I have to band to 4.5, same as the rostyles.




Lawrence Slater

When I had my previous Spridget with 3.5 steel hub cap wheels it had tubes in the tyres

when I had a tube go the chap told me that the tube has movement against the normally tubeless tyres

with my present Midget when it was on Rostyles it also had tubes, when I got a punture the cost to replace the tube and balance the wheel was over half way to a decent new tyre
Nigel At

How about fitting the early centres to a set of Rostyle rims?
Dave O'Neill 2

I won't be using tubes. I agree nigel, waste of money. The originals I bought were running tubless. I intend to do the same.

Dave o,
Yes, I hadn't thought of using the ros rims. Worth a quation on cost. As long as they can be made true again(currently 2 are a bit bent), and the surfaces made smooth again, that might just be a winner. Thanks for the suggestion.
Lawrence Slater

Lawrence
Any good to you -- found these on UK ebay
There's a pic. on ebay but I couldn't get it to copy over

MGBHIVE

NEW SET 4 MIDGET 5 X 13 BLACK ALLOY WHEELS POLISHED RIM
Item condition: New
Time left: 2d 19h (11 Aug, 201110:30:46 BST)
£219.95
Buy it now price

Cheers Willy





William Revit

Hi Willy,

You probably missed my earlier post, lost in the sands of time and text :)

I want to go back to the original hub cap look. I don't want the minilite look. I dont hate them, I just seem to have gotten a dose of nostalgia for my old steels and chrome AH hub caps.

As nice as the ones you found are, and they are nice, and reasonably priced too, I just want oldies. Like me lol.

Thanks anyway.

Lawrence Slater

Lawrence
Yeah I must admit I hadn't read through all the earlier postings properly till now and yes I too like the look of period steel wheels. I agree that 4.5--5 inch wheels are ideal for 165's. I have 165/65's on 5" knock on steel rims on my Elan and they just suit that width rim perfectly. Good luck with your project, and don't forget to enquire about joining two rim halves. I reckon the rim banding guys that you mention would have plenty of rim sections laying about. They don't have to be MG/Sprite , just about any 13" rims would do the job.
Cheers Willy
William Revit

Lawrence
A couple of the lads in the A35 club have used Ford Fiesta 13" wheel rims from the scrappy and A35/midget centres..no problems that I have heard off but then again they wouldnt post it on the A35 forum if thier wheels split in two.
Food for thought though.
Rob Newt

Lawrence

Just a thought, but what about the likes of Weller wheels. IIRC they dont do many styles, but I will try and dig out the steel wheel manufacturer I found ages ago that basically does most old style wheels in whatever width you wish with the offset you desire.

Ill try and dig it out, may have been american though, Cramer or Kramer i believe do something similar
PeterJMoore

Lawrence, just out of intrest, can you tell me the adres/name/website of the dutch company widening wheels?

Arie de Best

Willy,
When I bought my sprite many years ago, the car I really wanted, and used to dream about in bed at night when I was still a kid at school(1960s), was an Elan. I couldn't decide if I fancied Emma Peel, or her Elan more. lol. Remember the Avengers?

I Couldn't afford an Elan then, or now, since the 60s versions are so pricey. But I do love those cars.

Post a pic of your Elan.:)

Rob,
I've got a set of standard steels now, so I'll ask again about using the centres and rims off something else. So far I've been quoted £120 per wheel to put rims on the centers. I haven't completely ruled it out, but banding is cheaper. Trouble is there are so few people doing it, they can charge a premium. on the other hand, I guess it's not a 5 minute job, and time is expensive these days.

Peter,
I spoke with weller wheels, and they don't make an original style 4.5 or 5 for the spridget unfortunately. But if you know of someone who does, that would be great. There was one company who said that they could make a set (forgot who now), but it was about a grand for four.

A bit over priced for my taste. My sprites only worth 2.5 on a good day when the suns shining lol.

Cheers.
Lawrence Slater

Hi Lawrence
Pulled the Elan apart here a while back to do some suspension and brake work to it and got sidetracked a bit and it's been sitting in the corner with stuff stacked around it. Just for you I had a bit of a discovery session in there today and moved a heap of stuff to get a pic. for you and also found things I've been looking for, for weeks, so thanks for that.
Anyway, here's a pic of the car
Cheers Willy


William Revit

And one of a wheel


William Revit

Willy,

That's both orgasmic, and criminal.

Boy you must have some important stuff to do, to be able to leave that sexy little beauty sitting there.

And there you are. Finally I see the sex of a car.

If you aint driving that car, the only other thing you could do with it, is shag it LOL.

What's with the one wheel? You lose the other 3? :)
Lawrence Slater

There's a set of them -
Just put that in to show you the tyre on the rim really
Thats a 165/65 - 13
We've had this car for 35 years now. It's winter here and I just like to pull it apart every now and then and reco a section at a time just to keep it up to scratch really. It's a 70 model S4 SE first registered in 71 and supposedly the last S4 sold new in Aust.-----

We've got off subject a bit here - Any progress with the wheels
Cheers Willy
William Revit

Hi Willy,

No progress, as I have to do some house building work at home. Nothing major, just stuff, but it occupies time.

Probably get into the wheels properly in a week or two, when I have more loose time.

How much is the Elan worth in Oz then?
Lawrence Slater

"It's a 70 model S4 SE first registered in 71 and supposedly the last S4 sold new in Aust"

I love it when you talk dirty Willy! ha ha.

I was once (about 6 or 7 years ago when I was 17) offered an Elan 2+2 for £1000. A bit battered but a bargain, unfortunatly I barely had 1000 pence to my name at the time and my dad couldn't be convinced it was actually worth about ten times that!

Oh well, I will own an Elan one day.

Sorry, very off topic!

Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

just couldn't help but notice the wheel has a new looking tyre fitted :)

Yokohama A.drive too :)
Nigel At

This thread was discussed between 22/07/2011 and 10/08/2011

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