Identify these wheels?

SIVAllan · May 4, 2020

A friend bought a set of these wheels at an estate sale but doesn't know the brand.

I don't either but would guess they are Panasports with the familiar 4 x 108 lug pattern.

Can anyone verify this, or or if not, identify them correctly?

Thanks in advance,

-Allan Ballard
Series I Alpine (Darkside v6)
Mk1a Tiger

alpine_64 · May 4, 2020

Given the squared rim they are not panasport or superlite. The minitlites have a squared rim.. But they will also have the name caat on them.. I cam see text in the casting between the spokes on the left.. What does it say? Is it size and offset...or a word?

sunalp · May 4, 2020

They look like the old Westerns that I had on my Series IV.
There were a lot of these types made by a lot of different manufacturers.

SIVAllan · May 4, 2020

Thanks fellas.

I sent Michael's note onward and should hear back within several days. I'll file a post when I
hear back.

260Alpine · May 4, 2020

Saab had similar wheels that said Shelby on them but were 4 x 4.5 pattern.

https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/wheels/wl201c.htm

MikeH · May 5, 2020

I was also thinking of the Saab wheels. But the shape of the spokes are different. And the center of the Saab wheel is a bit concave.

PROCRAFT · May 5, 2020

Kind of reminds me of the Minilite clones
From Victoria British ?

junkman · May 5, 2020

Shelby.

alpine_64 · May 5, 2020

junkman said:
Shelby.

Dont the shelby minilte style wheels have small ribs on the centre hub between the spokes?

65beam · May 5, 2020

The spokes look to be more like the Minator Classic that Revolution makes. I have both the Minator and VTO wheels of this style and the Minator have a sharper peak on the spokes. The green car has Minator , the LeMans has VTO and the 69 has Minator

SIVAllan · May 25, 2020

SIVAllan said:
A friend bought a set of these wheels at an estate sale but doesn't know the brand.

I don't either but would guess they are Panasports with the familiar 4 x 108 lug pattern.

Can anyone verify this, or or if not, identify them correctly?

Thanks in advance,

-Allan Ballard
Series I Alpine (Darkside v6)
Mk1a Tiger
View attachment 19601

alpine_64 · May 25, 2020

@allan, still no confirmation of the text inbetween the spokes? Have they checked for any stamping ID on the backs of the wheels?

SIVAllan · May 25, 2020

I finally saw the rims.

They are stamped MINATOR (UK).

alpine_64 · May 25, 2020

Ok good to know. They are the ones VB use to sell ( still sell?) They are more at the lower cost scale of the minilte style wheels and made in China.

They used to be by KN wheels and made in the UK but switched production.

65beam · May 25, 2020

Minator wheels are a product of Revolution Wheels in the U.K. They have several dealers in the states including Moss Motors. The Moss price is $169.00 each. The Revolution site shows their full line of wheels. I recently bought a second set of VTO wheels from VB.

SIVAllan · May 25, 2020

I'm considering a set of the Minator wheels for my v6 Alpine in 14" with splined knockoffs, using Alpine stock splined hubs.

Any thoughts on whether the increased torque to over 100 ft pounds presented by the v6 would exceed the strength of the splines?

I "hear" that it would but don't see any hard info online or accounts from first hand experience.

Warren · May 25, 2020

The Shelby ones are pictured on CAT a guy has come in and is going out of the revolving door of Tigers. Probably cause he has 6 or more play cars. He's told me he's selling the entire as found pile o stuff . Hoping an Alpine guy can step up sideways or whichever direction he thinks it is. Don't pay retail it's for chumps

SIVAllan · May 25, 2020

Thanks. I'll take a look.

The knockoff Minator's I'm looking at are used, but barely. They are the 8 spoke variety.

And they are 14" which is to the good I think.

The Shelby wheels are probably 15". I would have to weigh whether that's a direction to take.

Warren · May 25, 2020

Y'all should have seen the meltdown at a United for a really hot driver nearly driving the stock wheels off his restored MK1. I took apart one and that car had a really loose fit. Sorry for the survey of one but considering the ask here . 90 hp up to __? plus are you going to have a stock rear end... It is a really cool look if you can change to real shoes when you want to drive like it like you stole it or rented it.

alpine_64 · May 25, 2020

SIVAllan said:
I'm considering a set of the Minator wheels for my v6 Alpine in 14" with splined knockoffs, using Alpine stock splined hubs.

Any thoughts on whether the increased torque to over 100 ft pounds presented by the v6 would exceed the strength of the splines?

I "hear" that it would but don't see any hard info online or accounts from first hand experience.

Alan... If worried about the torque of the v6 on the splines you could look into a set of the bolt on spline adaptors for the healeys or TR6... Maybe speak Dayton wheels?