Opinions Sought on Wheels

[cobolman]

Couple of questions regarding road wheels for a 1960 Austin Seven Mini De-luxe.

Question 1 : My road wheels are coloured black. I don't know why. I thought they were meant to be old english white?

2024-01-20_10-18-45.jpg

(Not sure if it's important but my wheels have the full-size hub cap that covers the entire steel wheel surface)

2024-01-20_10-23-56.jpg

Question 2 : I was wondering about getting my steel wheels sand blasted and then painted. But I've read some opinion that it may be better to buy new wheels that are already painted, as the cost is essentially the same. Leaving aside the 'historical' element, what would you say is the right way to go?

[Peter Laidler]

I would say, personally, that if they were in good mechanical condition, you don't need to sand blast them. Just set about stripping the tyres and valves off and remove the old paint with paint stripper. And again until they're bare...... and rinse thoroughly. Remove any small dings and graunches with a smooth file. Prime and paint.

Here's a little trick... Bolt each wheel onto the rear hub (1 nut will do...), can in one place and rotate the wheel slowly while you spray. You'll get a perfect and even surface on each wheel and inside the wheel well.

It's not BMC old english while, it's a Land Rover colour - so I'm told!

[CooperTune]

My first mini was a 1960 850. I was told the early wheel centers were made of thin material. Very rare at the time were round abouts in the US. Having some fun, I had a right rear wheel fail and the result was an exciting ride. Asking around I found it was suggested welding a steel plate inside the wheels to reinforce them. That was in 1969 and those wheels aren't any stronger now. I bought Cooper S wheels and welded a plate in one of my old wheels for a spare. Inspect the thickness of your wheels before spending a lot of time or money on them. Steve (CTR)

[360gts]

The early 850 wheels were rivteted....not sure when they gave up on those and started welding them. Have a feeling these were still in production as late as 61/62
They were a disaster.....many pictures of minis with nothing on the front hub except the center of the wheel still firmly bolted to the hub!

[mab01uk]

As said the early wheels were riveted and were prone to failure under hard cornering, etc especially when the first Minis went circuit racing. The later rims were thicker and welded but the riveted wheels are now sought after by early Mini restorers who want all the correct original period features good or bad....although some only have a riveted spare wheel in the boot on view for display at shows, etc.

Riveted wheels in primer for a 1959 Mini restoration.





"Deluxe '59 style hub cap next to a late 60> style. Early trim with rectangular holes does not fully cover the steel wheel underneath.The later style full size hubcaps with half moon cut outs were never fitted to 59 built cars. Basic cars had small disc type hubcaps fitted."
https://1959miniregister.com/variations ... r-general/

[360gts]

Not meaning to misdirect the intention of the original question....just thought I'd check me early MK1 Elf....(April 62) it has the riveted wheels.

Perhaps someone can firm if the 997 Cooper had these....

[LarryLebel]

The edges of the 2 wheels pictured look beat up to me. I would be inclined to replace them. If you do restore them get them powder coated instead of painted.

[Peter Laidler]

Buying new wheels sounds like a very expensive 'money no object' way to go Larry. What's wrong with just cleaning up the scuffed edges with a smooth file? Most owners like me have been doing that with their dinged or kerbed wheels for 50 years.

Why powder coated against paint? Powder IS paint surely

[mab01uk]

According to this months Miniworld magazine (Feb 2024) pg.41, the early riveted steel wheel centres were .080in thick, while the later Cooper/stronger wheels were .0120in. The stronger wheels were fitted from the introduction of the Mini Cooper and were standardised on all Minis from 1961.