TR2/3/3A TR3-4 owners: wheel poll

[NutmegCT]

Might have to bite the bullet and seek new wheels. Mine are bent (from "just barely" to "no way can we fix that") and the rear-end wobble makes driving over 50mph a bit dicey.

I'm wondering what steel wheels most of you 3 and 4 drivers are running. As I want to stick with steel (can't afford changing to wires), I'm just seeking the trend on steel.

Original steel factory wheels.

Mini-lite replicas.

Panasport.

Other (please explain).

Thanks.
Tom

 

[Brooklands]

Tom,
It depends on what you want with the car, but I like the original look on TR3's. So I would go with original steel wheels or wires only on TeeYah.

 

[martx-5]

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif

To my eyes, the original steel wheels or wires look best on the TR3's.

 

[DougF]

I'm running Dayton 60 spoke chrome wires on my 3. High maintenance to keep clean...but when they are....

 

[Mickey Richaud]

I had the Mini-Lite reps on mine, though they and the Panasports are similar. Nice look to 'em.

 

[TR3driver]

TR6 steel wheels will fit, and let you use more performance-oriented tires (eg 185/65-15).

Wires are WAY too much work to maintain on a daily driver.

 

[Banjo]

My TR2 will have the original steel, painted the same color as the body.(either BRG or signal red. I haven't decided yet)
I have a set of 48 spoke wires and adapters, but I don't think I'm going to use them.
The new "summer sale" 234-4a catalog from Moss shows a white TR4 with red steel rims. I really like that!

 

[toysrrus]

Hi There Nutmeg;

Should you be Int: I have a set of "5 TR4 Rims w/Michelins mounted on them "For Sale":

The Tires are Good to Exc. & the Rims are Exc: They are currently painted "Spa White": $500.00 for the Whole thing but You must pick-up:

Should you have an Interest; Just PM me & I`ll try to get some pics over the weekend (Digital is Dead):

I would also meet you somewhere mid-way on RT.84 thats convienant for the Both of Us: Where in CT do you live?

See Ya Later;

Russ

 

[BOXoROCKS]

The Tr6 wheels are a good choice,or... find a good set of 60 spk MGB wires,lots around and cheap, get good used adaptors,get a set of 185/70x14 tires, also cheap, and mount on your TR3. It looks beefy and cool and good road handling.All for about the same price as new mini's

 

[BOXoROCKS]

posting pix is a drag

 

[BOXoROCKS]

Thats a genuine English deathtrap.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I like the look of the stock steel wheels but it is interesting what a difference the various wheel choices make in the appearance of the car.

Even the 14" MGB wires (I cringed when I read that) actually look good, they fill the wheelwell more than I expected.

Randall, IIRC you did something crafty to get the stock TR3 hubcaps mounted to the TR6 rims (for the sTeRoids look).

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Here is link to a picture of my TR3A with MGB wheels and 175SR14 tires on it. The overall diameter of the mounted tire is very close to a 165R15 tire, about 1/2 inch. i needed new tires and friend in my car club offered me a set of 60 spoke chrome wires with good tires mounted for $250.

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1498

These are similar to Box of Rocks car. I think the beefiness of the tires give the car a robust look.

 

[TR3driver]

Randall, IIRC you did something crafty to get the stock TR3 hubcaps mounted to the TR6 rims (for the sTeRoids look).

True. I didn't care for the look of the TR6 hubcaps on the 3; nor for aftermarket wheel covers; so I fabricated a crude approximation of the orignal TR3 hubcap mounts.

I drilled & tapped each wheel for (3) 1/4" bolts. Cut some 1/4" spacers spacers from 1/4" id steel tubing (leftover from a previous project). Put the bolts & spacers into the wheels with Loctite, then used a grinder to shape the relevant side of the head & spacer. Took some adjustments (had to remake one of the bolts after I ground too much off), but overall it worked out well.

I don't really like the TR6 trim rings, though. They don't let enough of the wheels show (and no trim ring shows too much). Hopefully someday I'll pick up a proper set of TR3 trim rings.

Or, now that I have more money and less time, I may just go for some alloy wheels.

BTW, I picked up the TR6 wheels for $15-20 each (from various sources), but had to buy 5 of them to find 4 reasonably straight ones. Since they do sometimes crack under hard use, I didn't want to mess with trying to straighten a bent wheel. The bent wheel drove OK, but I got tired of people telling me it was coming off /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[YankeeTR]

TR250's are a bit narrower than a TR6 and look great...and you can adapt the original hub caps, too.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

Geo, I glad to have been of service. To show that DPO's are alive and well,and posting on this forum. Remind me to share my recipe for chili on the grill.

 

[PSUTR3B]

Factory steel wheels look great. I like the look of the original steel wheels better than wires on TR3's, though I suspect that is a minority opinion.

 

[toysrrus]

Hi There DougF;

I just read your post on High Maintenance for Wires:

I have Dayton 60 spoke Chrome Wires on My TR4A: Yrs ago; I stopped by a Local "Detail Shop" with My E-Type to get a good Buff & Wax: The owner took out a spray bottle of some "Purple Colored Stuff" / Hosed the rims / Sprayed this purple stuff on them / Hosed off in a min. or so / WaLa; Sparkly Clean, Bright & Drip Dry with no Water marks! $35.00 Gal. but well worth it! Lasts quite a while; Atleast a Season or Two / One season for myself as I use it weekly; Preventive Maintenance:

Your going to ask me what is it or whats it called? Well; I don`t know: You can`t buy it in any Auto Parts Store: Strictly distributed to Commercial Customers like Detail Shops: Its Industrial Strength stuff: "Don`t try it on Alum or Polished Mat`l"!! It`ll eat it alive; Meaning take the Polish right off! Chrome Steel only! Its Fabulous:

Ask your local Detail Shop about it & or I`m going to get more shortly & I`ll post what this stuff is; If My Detailer Tells Me??

Interesting, Fun, Time Saving. Quality Stuff for Your LBC;

Regards, Russ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif

 

[Brooklands]

Hey Russ,

Does the purple stuff work on painted wires???

 

[TR3driver]

Yup, takes the paint right off, I'll bet. The stuff I got from British Wire Wheel cleans chrome nicely, but contains lye and will eat paint.