Challenging myself on wire wheel color choice

[Healey_Z]

As the painter wraps up the buffing/polishing of the body, I'm trying to decide if I should go non-traditional on the wire wheels. Instead of a light metallic, perhaps a solid gray, white?

Anyone have a car/picture of a Healey with a non-traditional color wire wheel?

 

[HealeyRick]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

I've seen both red and yellow wire wheels on Healey vintage racers. Not sure I'd be a fan on a street car.

 

[Keoke]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

Yes one of the street cars I think a 100-4 came out with a red hood and wheels which IMOP was ugly as sin--Keoke-- :frown:

 

[Healey_Z]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

Hey Rick,

Here are two that I could find and it follows your thought about being most appropriate for a race car.

 

[andrea]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GoFhK-iCiCVRpPSdvKbPKg?feat=directlink
The only photos that I find in my albums
It is BRG with Ivory or cream front wire wheels but at the rear...
I also remember one AH with yellow wire wheels but if I am right was a 100/4
Andrea

 

[Lin]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

This is an image from Octane Magazine of the CapeSport 100S replica with dark BRG and matching color wire wheels.

https://www.cape-international.com/downloads/pdf/Healey.pdf

Lin

 

[johnea]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

What about black? Not high gloss, but a satin finish?

 

[Healey_Z]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

Thanks for the replies. Here is another.

 

[dougie]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

"I also remember one AH with yellow wire wheels but if I am right was a 100/4"
Andrea



Jon Shirley from Sonoma, CA races the 1954 100-4 LM with yellow wires. BTW- he's selling it with trailer and spares........$60K. It's a turn-key vintage Healey race set-up (169hp @5600rpm, 188lbs @ 3900rpm)

 

[Editor_Reid]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

First, congratulations on choosing to paint your Healey in one of the original colors appropriate to the model. Wise choice.

Whatever you do with the color of your wire wheels, the good news is that it is easy to change, so a little experimentation there is fun and has no lasting or expensive consequence.

I like the look of black wire wheels as they give the car an aggressive, competition-car look. Maybe even an "outlaw" look, like a performance-upgraded car.

Red wire wheels on a BRG big Healey would likely be striking and interesting, and after all, red is the complementary color for green. See also Complementary Colors.

Painting them a color matching the body, while not offensive, gives a flat, monochromatic look, and represents a "missed opportunity" to do something more interesting.

White would look like a duded-up parade car. If you wear a Shriner clown outfit when you drive it, then OK.

Yellow would also be striking, but with the BRG it is a Lotus-patented look and so why copy a different marque?

I can't imagine any variation of blue that would look acceptable with a BRG car.

Let's not waste time considering odd-ball colors such as brown, purple, etc.

My recommendation?

If you're feeling bold, try red.

If you're feeling like an outlaw, try black.

If you can't make up your mind, go with color silver-gray knowing that you can always easily change wheel colors if inspiration strikes you later. :banana:

 

[AUSMHLY]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

Have you considered painting the coves?
If so, matching the cove color to the rims may work too.

Coves and rims in OEW may look nice on BRG.

 

[HealeyRick]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

Just remembered. I bought my BJ7 from the original owner who turned it into a SCCA racer in 1965. When I bought it, the Healey Blue had been painted over with the color scheme of aqua with red wire wheels and roll bar. I asked the owner why he chose that color combo. He replied, "So we could recognize it on track." I always thought it should have been named, "The HoJo Racing Special"

 

[Healey_Z]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

Wow, I just love that BRG 100/4, thanks Dougie. The yellow wheels, not so much.

Reid, I think your analysis was fantastic. I'm not brave enough to go with a red. I agree too that I can steel wool, mask and paint 4 wheels in a weekend, so there is no great penalty for getting it wrong.

My personal car history has been all 60's Fords (cobra replica, mustangs, falcons, 66 GT350 clone...) I want to stay true and correct to the heritage and era of the Healey, so I appreciate the education and input.

Right now I have three colors in mind.

- Light metallic silver (original)
- Cream (off white)
- Gray (not too dark, not too light)

 

[6969ronin6969]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

Ken,

Have you decided what you want to do with your rims? I have another idea that hasn't been mentioned, but purist may fire up their torches and sharpen their stakes. Not to say I don't like the ideas put forth though. I especially likes Reid's analysis as well.

I know I've said it before in separate emails, but the car is looking great!

Take care,

Eric

 

[Healey_Z]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

Eric,

Thanks for the comment. I haven't been able to work on the car as of late, so I'm all ears on a hearing a fresh idea. Right now my plan is to paint them the stock silver color, but still open to change. PM sent

 

[elrey]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

I am enjoying your process as you peruse your options! Thank you for the postings. One good thing about the Healeys, they will look good even if you paint the wheels with mud. As a child I remember my dad responding to a comment made by a friend regarding how beautiful a neighbor looked in her new dress; " That woman would look nice in a dishtowel. " said he... So goes the Healey. --elrey

 

[Keoke]

Re: challenging myself on WW color choice

OH that looks great now just leave it alone--Keoke-- :laugh:

 

[elrey]

, --elrey

 

[6969ronin6969]

First, let me say you can't go wrong with the original silver color. That's what's on my TR3. However since we are throwing out ideas and they don't cost anything another option that had crossed my mind was some variation of this: chrome rim with painted spokes such as red, black, or grey (not all three at the same time...) maybe even silver for a subtle effect. What color are you planing the interior to be? If red, I'd think red spokes would be sweet. Not as in your face as a full red rim, but still a tie in.

Now the downside of this is the only way I know you could create this is to custom order some rims from someone like Dayton. Not cheap, I know, but I think it could be cool looking.

 

[Healey_Z]

The interior is black and I'm thinking the car is pretty dark and will need silver wheels for contrast. I am of the thinking that less is more on these cars.