Painted wire wheels on XKE

[Dee]

Had a look at a Series 1.5 that was for sale, dark silver with a black interior. At the time I thought that was a rare combination, but as I was driving home I remembered/realized that the wire wheels were not chrome but painted. How rare is that, I can't remember ever seeing anything but chrome. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks
Dee

 

[MikeP]

Re: Painted wire wheels

depends really on if they're original to the car, could be replacements that were cheaper than new chrome ones. That being said I believe you could get painted wheels when new although most don't seem to have.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Re: Painted wire wheels

I understand that some of the European cars and early S1 XKEs had painted wires. A previous owner could have brought it over or swapped out the wheels from an early car or even from a sedan. I had an early sedan with painted wires. I run alloys on my S1.5 but I like the chrome best.

Marv

 

[Dee]

Re: Painted wire wheels

Car is a '68, current owner has had it since early '70s,all original. Spare was painted. From the paperwork I saw first owner was from Omaha, possibly Offutt Airforce Base(think Gen. Curtis LeMay)
Thanks.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Re: Painted wire wheels

High ranking officers could get cars flown back to the states, I was a lowly enlisted man in early 70's. Lots of pilots had XKEs and TR6s on base. Guess that's where I got my bug.

 

[Jagboy69]

Re: Painted wire wheels

You guys got it wrong. Originally chrome were the standard and painted was a factory option. As time went on, the disc wheels were an option with either chrome or painted being standard equipment. I personally hate chrome wires. heck, I never even clean my painted wheels on the E-type. They get bead blasted and repainted once a year. Chrome wires are just too much work to keep sparkling clean when you drive as much as I do.

Reference to the above found in jcna judging guide and haddocks guide on e-types.