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TR2/3/3A Need TR3A wire wheel opinions

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Dan_Pasta

Dan_Pasta

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I love the look of wire wheels on the TR3, so I think I'm going to treat "Earl" to a set.

I'd like opinions/experiances reguarding the 48 spoke vs. the 60 spoke wheels.

I would think the 60 spoke is stronger (therefore safer), but do I need the extra strength for just tooling around the neighborhood?

I think the 48 spoke wheels would look more "old school" ... is there really much "visual" difference between the two?
 
I have the original 48 spokers from 1959 on my TR3. I have driven quite hard on them, including some hot laps at Summit Point, and never had a problem. This is with 165 street radials.

Look at the old photos of the old LeMans and Rally cars; all 48 spokers and never a word said.

Wire wheels were listed as a performance option.

I did put 60 spokers on the race TR3, though.

Tooling around the neighborhood should not cause any problems.

Yes, the 48 spokers have The Look that the 60 or 72 spokers do not.

To me, wire wheels give a sports car its sportiness.
 
May also want to consider the condition of the streets where you live, even if just 'tooling around'. If you live in an area with rough pavement you may find the 60-spokes hold up better over time than the 48-spoke. Note, this is just conjecture, I have no experience with the 48-spoke.
 
Don't know what you're into, but I went with 72 spoke in a wider wheel (5") so I could get 185-70/15s on. Not much more money for the wider wheels, and probably wider choice of tires. Of course I got crazy and went for the Vredestiens because I liked the vintage look and they're supposed to be a very good tire. :driving:

Edit: As you can see, the 72 spoke wheels are a lot "busier" then 48's.
 

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I went with 60 spoke after breaking spokes on two of the original wheels. Not really sure(except age) why they broke unless the car was driven hard early on. The originals didn't have 30,000 miles on them when replaced.
48 spokes are a lot easier to clean than 60s.
 
I'll chime in,

48's are ok with not very sticky 165's, but if you go to a larger tire with better traction coefficient, strain will be better taken by a 60 spoke wheel.

Just my opinion though.
 
Apart from being stronger and less inclined to suffer kerb damage, the 60 spoke wire wheels had 4.5" rims, which are better for 165 x 15 tyres. The 48 spoke TR wires only had 4" rims which suited a 155 x 15 radial tyre.

Steel wheels were widened to 4.5" during TR2 production, but 48 spoke wires stayed with the 4" rim right through to the first TR4's

However a 60 spoke 4.5" rim wire with 165 x 15 tyre won't fit into the spare wheel well on a pre TS60000 car, and is a very tight fit on the later car with its widened wheel well.

I have 60 spokers with 165 x 15 Michelins on the car and carry a 48 spoker with a 155 x 15 tyre for the spare.

Regards,

Viv.
 
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