11 replies to this topic

[neal]

Hi guys,

 

How would you identify a genuine set of 1960's genuine minilite wheels, I haven't a clue and wondered if there are any distinguishing marks/casting marks etc.

 

A set has emerged from the back of an old shed, the old guy who owns them says that they are genuine but I'm not so sure.

 

Help would be appreciated on this one

 

If they are genuine, then how much would a set of 4 be worth?

Edited by neal, 06 November 2016 - 08:50 PM.

[neal]

Hi Guys,

 

Photos would be good

Edited by neal, 06 November 2016 - 09:02 PM.

[Cooperman]

Originally Minilite wheels were made from Magnesium Alloy.

After all this time and with no knowledge as to how they may have been used and abused, it is unlikely they would be safe on a car, especially with modern tyres.

Not really worth much at all, except as museum pieces.

[neal]

Thank you Cooperman

[Magneto]

Are these originals or modern repros?

Attached Files

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[timmy850]

It depends what you mean by original and repro.. Those are made by the Minilite company, but are modern versions and not from the 60's. As mentioned above, the original ones are magnesium (not normal "alloy") and most have deteriorated by now as magnesium oxidises and becomes brittle and porous. 

 

http://minilite.co.uk/products.htm

http://www.minispare...C-21a1900A.aspx

[Magneto]

What's the difference between the 10X4.5 and the 10X4.5 Cooper S wheel? Offset? How do you tell the difference? I have a set and would like to buy a 5th wheel, and I want it to match what I already have.

[timmy850]

The Cooper S wheel would have an offset of around +35 and would fit under your guards with no flares and disc brakes.

 

The drum brake offset would have an offset off around +15 and would need flares with disc brakes. 

[Magneto]

Thanks, is there a way to measure the offset, so I know which wheels I have already?

 

On modern wheels the offset is usually stamped on the back of the wheel, these have numbers stamped in them, but they're all different.

Edited by Magneto, 07 November 2016 - 11:34 PM.

[nicklouse]

A staight edge and a one with measurements on it works.

[timmy850]

How to measure your offset:
1) Measure the overall total width of your rim in mm. It will be about an inch wider than the quoted size of the rim (which is measured "bead to bead"). I use a straight edge on the front and back of the rim to measure from.

In this case the total width is 150mm (which is about 6", the bead to bead distance is 5")

2) Flip over the rim and measure the distance from the outside edge to the mounting face. I use another small straight edge in the rim. This distance is also called "backspace". In this case it is 97mm

3) Get a calculator or get you brain into gear. Divide the total width by 2.

E.g. 150mm / 2 = 75mm. This is the midpoint of the rim

Take your backspace and take away the midpoint

E.g. 97mm - 75mm = +22 offset.

[62S]

Hi guys,

 

How would you identify a genuine set of 1960's genuine minilite wheels, I haven't a clue and wondered if there are any distinguishing marks/casting marks etc.

 

A set has emerged from the back of an old shed, the old guy who owns them says that they are genuine but I'm not so sure.

 

Help would be appreciated on this one

 

If they are genuine, then how much would a set of 4 be worth?

Value depends greatly on condition, size and width - pictures would help.