Wire wheels

[mjverdeyen]

Hi,
Later this year, well, after covid anyway, I am going to replace the original chrome wire wheels on my series 2 E-type. I say original chrome because they are what was on it when I bought it 15 years ago.The tyres are now more than 15 years old and need changing and the wheels are in a poor condition.
I am looking at every option, painted, chrome and stainless steel. Cost is not necessarily a consideration but I like to keep the costs down as much as anyone else. I understand that originally cars were fitted with painted wheels and chrome was an optional extra.
I would be interested in everyone else's views and advice. My car is no where near a concours one. It can best be described as a driver but is very sound and mechanically in very good order. I clean the wheels very regularly, every year or two or three so wheels that do not need much attention appeal to me.
I would be interested in buying and having fitted the new tyres at the same time so any advice on which tyres or on which supplier would be appreciated.

Regards,

Martin Verdeyen.

[piman]

Hello Martin,

I don't think anyone does painted wheels any longer, so it's matter of shopping around. There are some nice wheels out there but at a price.

MWS are a large company that supplies wheels, and probably supply them to Jaguar specialist suppliers also. Another option is :-https://turrinowirewheels.com/ where you can have an option of steel or aluminium rims. They also do a restoration service but do say it is uneconomic to re chrome wheels.

I've no association with either and have bought MWS wheels in the past (they are suitable for tubeless tyres as the spokes are sealed.)

Alec

[mjverdeyen]

Hi Alec,

Thanks for your reply, I have already been looking at MWS and have seen Turrino wire wheels on line. At the moment there is no rush so I am taking my time. I have also been looking at Dunlop D-Type wheels. These appeal to me because of the look and also the ease of cleaning. I am a little confused by the peg hub and bolt on hubs, and can't find any very good explanation about them. It seems that after buying your D-type wheels you also need to buy new hubs. Do you know anything about this?

Thanks,

Martin.

[piman]

Hello Martin,

Yes the D Type style wheels are very attractive. I think it was Rowan Atkinson had a set on his MK 9 I seem to remember, very nice.

Essentially the peg drive are the same as wire wheel hubs but with pegs rather than splined and a flat face rather than a taper. I do know that some Minilite wheels use splined adapters for some of their wheels and wonder if those could be adapted? Otherwise it means new hubs all round?

Alec

[mjverdeyen]

Hi Alec,

Wouldn't there be some sort of adaptor that would fasten onto the D-type wheels in the centre, and that had splines so that the wheels would fit onto the Jag hubs? I thought that's what the peg hub or bolt on hubs were meant to do, but as I say I haven't found anything that clearly explains it to me. I will have to ring one of the suppliers and discuss it with them.
If it's necessary to buy new hubs for the car and peg drives as well as wheels it will make it very expensive. The D-type wheel are not particularly cheap to start with.

Regards,

Martin.

[piman]

Hello Martin,

yes, an adapter is what minilite use. If you go to their website http://minilite.co.uk/products.htm#accessories and scroll up to Sports wheels, there is a small picture of one (Bottpom right of the six wheels)
Whether that could be used with an other manufacturers wheel is an unknown even with some minor maching.
It is probably worth asking teh makers of teh Dunlop style wheel if they also do such an adapter?

Alec

[piman]

Hello Martin,

further web search show sthat Realm Engineering, the manufacturer do make and supply suitable splined adaptors for Jaguars. https://realmengineering.com/d-style-wheels/

Alec

[mjverdeyen]

Hi Alec,

I've just bought a set of D-type alloys from a seller on Ebay. They are no longer shown on Ebay. They came from a series 1.5 brought over from Canada that passed through Lancashire on its way to Holland. It had D-type alloys fitted but also had its original wires with it. The buyer in Holland wanted the wires put back on. The alloys are in great condition and they have Michelin tyres which are not new but are not very old and are hardly used. The wheels are straight off the Series 1.5 and will go straight on mine.
I live so close to the seller that he is going to deliver them to me.
All in all things couldn't have worked out better.
Did I mention that the price was very good indeed!

Thanks for all your interest and advice.

Martin.

[piman]

Hello Martin,

well done, that is the beauty of E-Bay, and also a modicum of luck.

Would you be able to post a picture once they are fitted?

Alec

[mjverdeyen]

Hi Alec,

Don't hold your breath, although I expect to have the wheels this week, the car probably won't be going out, or have the new wheels on for some time. I'll try and put a photo on when I can.

Regards,

Martin.