wheel query

[minitravellerman]

Just wondering about a couple of wheel;

I have one of the wheels as per the photo below. The "Mini Wheel Directory" notes it being a Firsat 4.5x10. I was actually given the wheel by someone thinking it was a 1275GT wheel (which I knew wasn't correct as I have 4 original GT Rostyles). Where the Firsat rims factory fit to any of the export or foreign built Minis, or simply just an after market rim?



Secondly, I've just bought a set of BWA 5x10 as per the photo below. Does anyone know if there were meant to be centre caps for these. If so they'll probably be like hen's teeth to find.



Anyways - just being nosey really.

[Spider]

The top one was factory fitted to our loclly produced Leyland Mini S models, they were manufactured by a local wheel manufacturer, ROH and were known as ROH Rostyles. Size was 4.5J x 10. These had a Black Painted inlay in them. At quick glance, they were often confused with GT rims.

There's one for sale here;-

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/camira/c ... 1056869638

[minitravellerman]

Thanks for the info. I have it as a spare for my rostyles but I think I'll restore it back to how it should look with the black centres. Maybe I'll be lucky to come across 3 more sometime

[graham in aus]

The top one was factory fitted to our locally produced Leyland Mini S models, they were manufactured by a local wheel manufacturer, ROH and were known as ROH Rostyles. Size was 4.5J x 10. These had a Black Painted inlay in them. At quick glance, they were often confused with GT rims.

I always assumed these wheels were imported Spider, I think Firsat are an Italian company and these wheels also appeared on Innocenti's?

I think the ones here in Aus. still have Firsat stamped on them.... I always think of ROstyles as the GT rim Made by RO Rubery Owen....

It may well be that ROH got press tools of Firsat? I wasn't here back then!

They are a cheap alternative to 4.5 S rims over here though!

[Spider]

Minitravlerman, your welcome.

The top one was factory fitted to our locally produced Leyland Mini S models, they were manufactured by a local wheel manufacturer, ROH and were known as ROH Rostyles. Size was 4.5J x 10. These had a Black Painted inlay in them. At quick glance, they were often confused with GT rims.

I always assumed these wheels were imported Spider, I think Firsat are an Italian company and these wheels also appeared on Innocenti's?

I think the ones here in Aus. still have Firsat stamped on them.... I always think of ROstyles as the GT rim Made by RO Rubery Owen....

It may well be that ROH got press tools of Firsat? I wasn't here back then!

They are a cheap alternative to 4.5 S rims over here though!

Graham, that may well be the case. I think I've seen them on some of the South Afician Minis, I don't recall seeing them on any of the UK ones, though may well have been.

The ones I've picked up were pressed by ROH and I've only ever heard of them referred to as Rostyles, though in all fairness, this may have been a mix up from those conveing this. I know they also used an odd ball wheel nut.

Yes, they were once very cheap, my brother picked up a set of 5 for his Deluxe for $20 from the Mini factory at Greenacre back in about 74. I don't see too many about these days though.

[1071 S]

The ones I have are stamped "FIRSAT".

Cheers, Ian

[minitravellerman]

I think the ones here in Aus. still have Firsat stamped on them.... I always think of ROstyles as the GT rim Made by RO Rubery Owen....:

I'll check when I'm home after work to see if there any stamps on mine.

[graham in aus]

looks like one of our country men has already tried to cash in!

http://forum.minicooper.org/forum/for-s ... sat-wheels

More here......

http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/to ... irsat-10s/

Funny how things develop on opposite sides of the globe!

[surfblue63]

The Firsat wheels are standard fitment on the Innocenti Cooper 1300 and Export models. They should be painted light grey with black between the spokes.



And as mentioned by spider they were used on the Australian Clubman S



I think Firsat were an Italian Company that got either taken over by, or took over, Cromodora as I have seen versions of the wheels fitted to my Inno with Firsat cast into the rim and a different centre cap (CMS?).

[Spider]

Apologies, I've just re-read my initial post. What I did mean to say was that while made here by ROH, they may well have been made by other manufacturers.

And that has been shown to be the case.

I'll see if I have an ROH version.

[graham in aus]

Spider, no need to apologise, I take nothing about Mini's on face value, I've been proven wrong too many times!

Ask me about the Smiths Beehive heaters I gave away to Hot Rodders cause "Minis never had them fitted mate"

Or; "that's not a Cooper S, there's no welded RH tank vent tabs, just them holes there in the panel!!" (1965 spring clips job).

I have a slightly different perspective having been involved in the UK scene for a long time, then over here for the last 15 years, but obviously the Aus. production had finished well before that.

The more we find out, the more there is to know!

Firsat made rear subframes too, I had one of those in the UK, with Firsat pressed into frame!

Great to share the info. around!

Cheers!

[minicentie]

Firsat is used commonly in italy ,spain ,belgium and some other country's
On some early specials (Netherlands) they were used too.Although i know someone who is determent to say there were lookalikes made by Silverstone?Or were they 1275gt alike?
Firsat also made cooper s lookalike wheels with 9 holes but with different offsets.
Firsat also produced front and rear subframe's for the innocenti's. And some other parts for the inno's too.

[minitravellerman]

Anyone any info of the BWA wheels?

Secondly, I've just bought a set of BWA 5x10 as per the photo below. Does anyone know if there were meant to be centre caps for these. If so they'll probably be like hen's teeth to find.

[mk1coopers]

I've got a set of those too, though I think mine might be 5J, they look deeper on the rim

[minicentie]

I am happy to see ,i have the centre of these rostile's. I didn't know from what they were,but now i know.

[davidbtaylor]

Hi,

Did you ever get any info on the BWA wheel?
We have a set on a 1974 mini and can't identify model or details.

David