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WagonMonster

Freshman Member
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Hi guys,

My 1965 B has the, from what I hear, super-rare Steel Wheels.
Here's a pic
2.jpg


The problem with them is that.
A. They don't look very aggressive
B. They aren't very aggressive being only 14x4.5.

I want something that looks more purposeful and something that can handle bigger rubber (like 195/50-15)

I was thinking of getting some 15x5.5 Panasports or Minilite Replicas. I did a quick Photoshop and came up with this:
panasports.jpg


I, of course, would keep the steelies, just not run them.

Comments?

Thanks!
 
i dont know how rare they are but i know they came standard on all pull-handal cars. that looks like a very nice car and i think i would leave it just the way it is. you could probabaly pull home a few trophies with that.
 
Personally, I’d keep the steel wheels. But regardless – in the end, it’s really all about what you like.

cheers.gif


Bret
 
I agree with keeping the steel wheels. Since you've got one of the earliest of all Bs, I'd keep it original. It's a beautiful car, and the steel wheels are quaint, like the dash.

The Minilites are beautiful wheels, but to me, don't look great on an early B. (But then, I've always preferred wires, as much of a pain as they can be...)
 
WagonMonster, I'd go for the Steel Wheels. They look more 1960's than the Minilites. If you really feel like a change (or tinkering)I would go for wire wheels. They are flashy, and would look more in-period than the Minilites.

Obtong
 
...Photo of my 1963 MGB with the same wheels...except, mine are GT wheels....the original roadster wheels were narrow, 4Jx14 (4" wide), the GT wheels are wider, 5Jx14 (5" wide)...
911turbo.jpg

...oh, tire width measurements are made from the inside edges of the wheels & cover only that portion of the wheel that's covered by the tire...so, usually when somebody says a wheel is 5" wide, its only 4" because they made measurements from outside to outside....my 5" GT wheels are 6" wide, outside to outside.
 
Ooops, sorry, wrong URL...here's my 1963 MGB
63blackmgb001.jpg
 
I understand the collectability of the Steelies. But I really want wheels that can handle high performance rubber.

Do keep in mind that my other car has 17x7 Rims running 215/45-17's!
 
Rolling Mini-lites, sitting steelies.

I think you should go with the mini-lites. Like you said, keep the steelies, but put them on for shows and the like. Normal driving, give yourself some grip and keep you and that sweet B a little safer.

Personal opinion so there, nyeah.
tongue.gif


MattP
 
Probably no wrong choices here, since it's easy to switch back....

The appearance of stock wheels with original "knave plates" is unique these days (although I guess it was "ordinary" at one point)....and it really looks "period"......I'd be real tempted to leave "as is".

Another thought would be to widen an original set of steel wheels (about 1" to 1.5" wider)....this is what some of the original BMC team race cars had, and again, it looks very "period correct". Pete Paulsen is farily close to you...he could do this or he could tell you where it could be done (or he could sell you wider steel wheel very reasonably......I've bought autocross wheels from him with good success).

https://petepaulsen.com/CircleTrack/CIRCLETRACK.htm

For other *possible* wheels to fit MGBs, check here:

ttp://www.mgbexperience.com/misc/wheels.html

At work, I park next to a friend's '79 MGB every day...it has the replica Minilite wheels, and they look great...as I said, no bad choices.
 
IF you drive the car a lot, I'd get a set of Minilites (heck, even a set of cleaned up Rostyles would look okay, and be manufacturer correct), if only to avoid damaging the steel wheels and the hubcaps, neither of which are easy to get a hold of new (if I remember correctly). Personally, I've always liked the perforated steel wheels with plain hubcaps, like on the B (my Dad's old car had 'em), Lotus Elan, and early Triumph TRs. To the point that I've actually given serious thought to getting similar wheels for my Miata. (in a book I saw an advert from a Japanese company for Miata bodykits to make it look even more like an Elan. Didn't like the body at all, but loved the vented steelies with moon hubcaps. Still looking)
-William
 
Be careful! My MGB had the factory wire wheels, but a previous owner had put on larger outside diameter tires. I believe he also went from the original bias-ply to a radial. The result was that the tires would catch the inside lip of the fender, and would rub when turning. Strangely, it had knock-off spinners on the front and center octagonal spanner nuts on the rears.
 
If you want bigger tires, change your wheels. It isn't like your going to toss the steelies(I only serviced one car with those wheels, and its speedo read in kilometers) Besides, how hard is it to swap wheels when you want to?
I have the stock wheels for my tr-3, but run it with 15x7 bbs's and 205/70's(yes, I had to try several tires before I found a profile that fit better) Not all tires of the same size transfer from sidewall to tread the same way.
 
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