TR6 Wire Wheel Conversion

[SherpaPilot]

Greetings all. Recently I acquired a set of chrome wire wheels from a relative's estate following his death. I have always loved the classic look of wire wheels on a British car and began to put together a plan to replace my Panasports with the new wires. The only problem is these wire wheels are from a MGBGT and I have a TR6. The big difference is the MG uses 14 inch wheels and the Triumph 15 inch wheels. I know this can be compensated by slightly taller tires to get the same rotational size from the wheel. The only big question I have is the offset. The MG is slightly more positive (inboard) than the Triumph. This could interfere with steering geometry. Has anyone made this conversion with non-standard Triumph wheels? I'm thinking the best action is to abort the whole idea, but thought I would ask the question anyway. I hate to sell these beautiful chrome wire wheels. Thanks guys....

 

[Stevenry]

I can’t help with MGBCT to TR6, but having switched from wires to minilite type wheels recently, I strongly suggest making sure the wire wheels are not out of round before spending time or money. I fought a 50-60 mph shimmy with just slightly out of round wires wheels, went to larger minilite and still had a shimmy because the tires that came on the used minilites were less round than the old wires. I bought another set of tires, and finally, years into ownership, I have absolutely no wheel/tire shimmy or vibration.

Another consideration, depending on how far your driving may take you, and at what speed, is that more and more tire shops are not willing to deal with wire wheels, or have old timers who have experience with them. Check your local tire shops. The two times I had flats I was a couple hundred miles from home. I found shops with old timers, but I had to take off and put on the wheels in the parking lot because of their insurance.

Steve
TR2