10 replies to this topic

[TheFabMini]

Hi all,

Long story short. London 2 Brighton my mini decided to blow both front tyres... I had no spare only a can of foam so had to call the RAC to take me to find some replacements. 

whilst getting something on to finish the trip the chap at the garage said I had some quite rare and desirable rims (He also added they are dangerous) which seemed confusing...

 

My question is, Do I have some rocking horse wheels or are they just some random old trailer wheels???

 

I am far from being a mini geek so to me if they are dangerous I was gonna scrap them and look for another set.. but this guy seemed to think they were special?

 

Look forward to hearing your opinions!

I have 2 the same as the photos attached.

 

 

 

 

[weef]

These look like randoms, I do not think the Mini rim ever had the cut out for grease nipples as yours have.

[mab01uk]

Early 1959 Mini steel wheel rims were riveted but the centres were failing under load on racing circuits at the time so they were replaced by the later welded rims. However as a result they are now fairly rare and in demand for road use by early Mini restorers who want original early features above all else, especially for the spare wheel on show in the boot.

 

Yours look like trailer wheels because they have the extra raised 'round bits' on the hubcap fixing pressings and as said above cut-out for grease nipple....both features were not on early Mini wheels.

Edited by mab01uk, 16 May 2022 - 05:30 PM.

[TheFabMini]

Early 1959 Mini steel wheel rims were riveted but the centres were failing under load on racing circuits at the time so they were replaced by the later welded rims. However as a result they are now fairly rare and in demand for road use by early Mini restorers who want original early features above all else, especially for the spare wheel on show in the boot.
 
Yours look like trailer wheels because they have the extra raised 'round bits' on the hubcap fixing pressings and as said above cut-out for grease nipple....both features were not on early Mini wheels.

What do the raised round bits actually do? My metal hub caps fit over them nice and secure so I can't work out the round bits purpose

[mab01uk]

 

Early 1959 Mini steel wheel rims were riveted but the centres were failing under load on racing circuits at the time so they were replaced by the later welded rims. However as a result they are now fairly rare and in demand for road use by early Mini restorers who want original early features above all else, especially for the spare wheel on show in the boot.
 
Yours look like trailer wheels because they have the extra raised 'round bits' on the hubcap fixing pressings and as said above cut-out for grease nipple....both features were not on early Mini wheels.

What do the raised round bits actually do? My metal hub caps fit over them nice and secure so I can't work out the round bits purpose

 

 

No idea, never seen them on any Mini wheel, I assume they allow a different/smaller type of hub cap to be fitted as Mini hub caps just need the pressed in the metal 'bulges'.

Edited by mab01uk, 16 May 2022 - 06:35 PM.

[mab01uk]

1959 Mini Register

"Riveted wheels were fitted to all 59 cars. A service memo stressing the importance of replacing the riveted wheels if competition driving was planned.  In road use the wheels were perfectly strong enough."

Scroll down in link for details:-

https://1959miniregi...-and-underbody/

Edited by mab01uk, 16 May 2022 - 06:38 PM.

[Maccmike8]

Look like trailer wheels to me.

[TheFabMini]

Look like trailer wheels to me.

Is there a definitive way of telling?
Long and short of it is I'm getting rid of them as the idea of a rivet failing doesn't sound fun.

But I don't want to scrap them if they might be of value to someone for a project.. nor do I want to mislead or sell dodgy wheels

So is there any sort of stamping or numbers I can look for if I remove some paint??

[Maccmike8]

I dont know what they were originally but theyve definitely been on a trailer hence the grease nipple cutouts.

 

Look like trailer wheels to me.

Is there a definitive way of telling?
Long and short of it is I'm getting rid of them as the idea of a rivet failing doesn't sound fun.

But I don't want to scrap them if they might be of value to someone for a project.. nor do I want to mislead or sell dodgy wheels

So is there any sort of stamping or numbers I can look for if I remove some paint??

 

[Compdoc]

I would put them on eBay. As long as you spell out what they are and exactly why you are selling them, it shouldn't be a problem. Better than scrapping them and could make some 59 owners day.

[mab01uk]

The Mk1 Forum below should also be able to identify them for you:-

http://mk1-forum.net/index.php