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  • Wheels and tyres

    Hi everyone again. Like to wish everyone a happy new year.

    As some of you may remeber last year i bought a mark 1 in need of some restoration. Unfortunately the weather and cold nights closed in and jobs whihch i thought wouldnt take too long took longer so was not on the road, but work will start again very soon.

    One of the last jobs i did last year was to try and put some life back in my wheels but unfortunatly failed. They really need recroming and a complete set of new tyres. After pricing this up had a look on ebay and think it will be a better idea just to get some new wheels.

    As mentioned before it is a mark 1 based on vitesse and was wondering which modern and older cars wheels will fit? But not only that what size wheels and tyres you have on your cars and how they handle etc.

    Cheers in advance

  • #2
    Re: Wheels and tyres

    Tom

    Any wheel from an approriate Triumph (Herald, Vitesse, Spitfire or GT6) will fit The originals were generally steel (or occassionally wire). /You would probably get some secondhand ones from one of the Triumph specialists. The standard width for the later models was 4.5 thoigh I think wider ones were optional. Any alloys sold for a Spitfire should fit.

    Marinas have the same wheel stud spacing so wheels from one of these should suit. Triumph Dolomites have the correct wheel stud spacing but I think that the offset is different so spacers may be necessary. I don't know which recent cars have the same stud spacing (I think my Maestro had the the same spacing but being front wheel drive the offset may be a problem).

    With regard to size you need to ensure that the wheels/tyres do not rub the suspention or brake pipes on full lock (especially with the turning circle of a Vitesse). My MK1 (GT6 base) had 5.5 inch wide wheels with 175 or 185 tyres and these would rub on the brake pipes on full lock (MOT failure point!)

    I am currently using 4.5 inch wide wheels (ex Triumph Spitfire bolt on wires) with 155 section tyres which only just cleat the relevant parts on full lock. Some might consider the tyres a bit narrow but they've still got some tread! Don't forget 1800 Marinas only had 145 section tyres when new!

    Hope this helps

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    • #3
      Re: Wheels and tyres

      Hi Nick cheers for all that info. I have been looking at a set of wires but i still havent seen a marlin with nice set on, have you got any pictures of yours as am still undecided? My current wheels are off a GT6 and are chromed steel with different tyres on front i have 165x13 and on the back 185x13 and these dont seem to cause i problem.

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      • #4
        Re: Wheels and tyres

        Hi Tom, Have you considered Minilites? I recently restored my Mk1 and also considered wire wheels but for cost and maintenance reason I favoured minilites. I went for 13 X 5J's and have had no clearance problems. The five wheels cost £375 from Rimmer Bros and you could probably get a better deal if you shopped around. The tyres are 165/70x13's. I would steer clear of Dolomite wheels, I had them on mine but spacers were required and the ofset effects the handling of the car. I have modified my front wings so that they are slightly wider at the front (Mk1 Triumph issue). Before parting with cash I would recommend talking to Ben Caswell (MOC Triumph expert) as he really knows the options.
        Dave

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        • #5
          Re: Wheels and tyres

          Tom
          Struggling to find a picture from the side. Howevert I've attached a couple taken when I was persuaded to join in the local Bower parade to raise money for one of my children's school. Beware the fake Spice Girls!
          Hope it helps

          Nick
          Attached Files

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          • #6
            Re: Wheels and tyres

            Oops Second picture didn't attach.

            Nick

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            • #7
              Re: Wheels and tyres

              Oops again - file was to big

              doh!
              Attached Files

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              • #8
                Re: Wheels and tyres

                Hi Tom,
                Daves spot on with the minilites and keeping the tyre width to a minmum. My sons MK1 runs 41/2J Spitfire oval vent steels on the front and matching 51/2 J GT6 on the rear which works ok.All painted with hammerite smooth siver and stainless wheelnuts.
                Ben Caswell probably not the last word on anything here!!

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                • #9
                  Re: Wheels and tyres

                  See the restored wheels on my MK1 these are after market truimph wheels called revolite

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                  • #10
                    Re: Wheels and tyres

                    On my Hybrid (which is Triumph front susp), I have 6J X 13 with 185X70X13 tyres. With careful positioning of the braided S/Steel brake pipes, I have no clearance issues even on full lock (which is so extreme it's ridiculous - just scrubs the tyres). The wheels are actually old Caterham Alloys, I use 6mm spacers on the rear.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Wheels and tyres

                      Hi Tom, we also own a mk1 roadster with vitesse mk1 running gear,we run steel wheels with 185/70/13 tyres and have no problems with scrub even on full lock,the tyres are Hero make [no i had not heard of them either] but a mate who runs a Astra van with zafira gsi running gear putting out 340bhp [true] has hero tyres on that with no problems,he got me a set of 4 for £90 [not each,he is in the motor trade] and very good they are too

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