• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

TR6 Alloy Wheel Upgrade

Share this page

M

Martin Secrest

Senior Member
Offline
Been thinking about this for my TR6. I love the original steel wheels, but it does seem like the car is unnecessarily lugging around a lot of weight with them. I'm interested to hear from others who've upgraded to alloy, what you bought and what you thought of the difference. And would you do it again, given the $$?
 
Panasports in a 15 x 6, I've had the ones on the TR6 long enough that they have been superseded by newer iterations a couple of times. What I do if making the switch now? Probably the same thing I did 30 years ago, I'd also look at Revolutions, wish that I could find a set of late 60s/early 70s Cosmics (and strike out) and then go with either the Revolutions or Panasports. Revolution wheels for the TR6 were a 5 spoke wheel only but they have also introduced a line of "8 spoke classic road wheel" but there are no pictures on their website of these. It is probably along the lines of old Minilites or Panasports.
 
When I had my GT6 I upgraded from steel to Panasports. The Panasports are beautifully made and good looking wheels, and I do recall some improvement in handling and accleration, though it didn't blow me away. Braking was noticeably improved. I don't know what is the weight to be shed from the TR6 wheel when you go to alloy, but it is a larger wheel, so presumably the weight savings are relatively greater. Just can't decide if it's worth it, and Panasport is probably the only wheel I'm considering at the moment.
 
I loved my original steel wheels too but I was getting vibrations at certain speeds. I found out that the years and the potholes took a toll on the wheels and they just couldn't be adequately balanced anymore. I bought a set of Minilite replicas several years ago from a vendor in the UK and have been very happy with them. If I had to make that decision today I would buy the same style wheel again, looking at brands like Konig, VDO and Panasport among others.
 
I too like the original TR6 steel wheel 5 &1/2" deep trim ring look best, that said, years of hot to cold wears on steel some owners stating theirs out of round. 1990 took steel wheels to paint shop strip/paint looked great 2000 for another respray discovered 2 wheels had hairline crack from one of bolt holes to center hub hole only visible from back of wheel may've happened hitting a pot hole @70 mph?

'79-2000 driving on original steel wheels/trim rings having them buffed/polished close to new look but eventually could no longer find a set not chewed up from curb rash tried both chrome/aluminum offered by vendors never like either look & only 5" deep. Looked at a lot of wheels online/in person before I upgraded to panasports (2nd fav look though spokes reminds me of the brushed aluminum trim rings)

2000-2020 no need for offsetting spacers they bolt right on & I use my original lug nuts less flexing stronger/lighter (even with 205/70/15 tires I can feel the difference lifting these by hand vs when I use to lift 185s on steel wheel) the polished/clear coated finish holds up well still looks new would buy again like redlines & reflective stripe on ragtop as long as I own my TR6 it will sport those factory items
 
I love the look of redlines on stock rims but I too bit the bullet and upgraded to 16 inch alloy rims and have no regrets. I am running 16X7 Konig Rewind rims on mine, graphite with a polished lip.

Cheers
Tush
 
I am running Konig Rewinds on my TR250 also, though I have 15"s. They are usually pretty reasonable at $100 or so a pop.
 
TR4 Wheels.jpg
I'm using a 16 x 7 minilite style also, I'm not sure who the mfg is. I've been pretty happy with them with 205/50-16 on the front and 215/50-16 rears.
 
On my TR250 I had wires and went to an all aluminium wheel made by Rota. Best thing I ever did. Smooth out the ride like a modern car. I believe they are machined so they are perfectly round unlike a stamped steel wheel. I am in the process of restoring a 69 TR6 and like everyone in front of me I too love the look of those steel wheels and that center cap. For now I plan keep the final costs down and I'm sticking with the steel wheels. We'll see how long it will be before I go to aluminium wheels.
I got to laugh though if you ever saw the introduction to the Top Gear show where they review a TR6. They say the TR6 steel wheels look like they came of a front loading washing machine. LOL!
 
I don't know about the washing machine thing - I think with correct brushed trim rings, the original wheels look great. But dang, all that steel is a lot for a car to be lugging around, and wheel manufacture has changed a lot since 1972, lol.
 
Wheels always in question; I also went to 16's to get tire size that was the same as org height of Mich. I got the mini like From 18 Racing out of California around $100.00 & shipping They are SCCA cert. with lug nuts and stems and tool. I got five in case I damage one. The TR 6 wheel logo fit in the rim center cap. They are not from CHINA See their web page many wheels and ships in days. Madflyer
 
Could you be more specific on 18 Racing in California?
Google doesn't bring them up.
 
Alloys all the way. The steel wheels aren't all that strong if you drive aggressively. I ran them on my MGA race car for a few races and tore the centres right out of two of them.
 
15” Panasports. It was like moving from square to round wheels. Improved the drivability of the car 100% vs the original steel wheels.
 
https://www.18racing.com. 925-339-3828 I got this Co. from a member who changed out the wheels of his TR 8 . When you go to the web page and click on say RB it will then take you to all the sizes colors etc. Ounce again they are not made in China!! I might have got minilites but were out of stock and production for months. Madflyer
 
Back
Top