M Series wheels

[GPW41]

Thinking of getting my wheels refurbished, but don't know what finish to go for.

I like the black inserts, i.e. the 2 colour finish on T-slots, but don't know whether a diamond cut face or something a bit less bling is the way forward...

I have to say that lots of "chrome" on these old cars just looks wrong to me, so polished Wolfies if definitely out......

Can anyone tell me what they looked like from the factory? Will the diamond cut look too polished?

Dave

[whitewolf]

The time and effort of polishing wolfies is worth it!

[Adrian@]

There are two versions of the wheel (the second could have the option of being diamond faced), early T slot have a centre face that come up to the outer T slot part with a radius (these wheels were always full powdered silver), then the later wheel has a centre face, (which would be black if it were diamond cut) but then there is a 90 degree edge leading to the outer T slot part, these could be either full silver powder or if they are diamond faced, with black inside the T's and black inner wheels.
Adrian@

Edited by Adrian@ on Sunday 16th November 19:40

[griff 200]

got to be the way to go.

[Slow M]

prideaux said:

Hi Dave the factory finish was not polished it was a painted finish if you look through the pictures thread and see original cars especially the one with them all lined up in the USA ready for delivery its all a matter of taste and keeping them clean once polished you will have to keep them that way where as if you powder coat them silver and hand paint the black they will be a lot easier to keep clean especially with a coat of Rim Wax on
Andrew

Andrew,

I believe you're mistaken about the painted finish. I am fairly certain that the wheels had a machined finish, with the "T"s painted black.

When I did mine, I found that you can replicate that finish easily.

I removed the valve stems, cleaned the wheels, file/sanded the abused edges, and scuffed the inside of the T shapes.
Next, I set the chassis on axle stands, turned the engine on, and put it in 1st gear.

I used bronze wool to approximate the machine finish, wearing heavy gloves, and trying to keep my fingers away from the lug nuts. I had to do the inner section by hand.

Lastly, I primed with Zinc Chromate, and painted the "T"s black. After that, i wiped all unwanted paint away, with laqueur thinner.

The factory finish included a clear coat, but I felt it was easier to maintain them, without it.

Perhaps the wheels came with a painted finish, at some point, but I only remember new Ms having the machined finish, with black Ts.

Best,
B.

[Slow M]

Adrian,

My wheels had the round transition, and judging from their condition, had never been worked on. They were machined, but maybe it was "diamond cut," and the wheel nut holes were black, as were the Ts, and the trapezoidal shapes, between them. The flat area, in the middle, was definitely machined.

Best,
B.

[Adrian@]

B, options were/would be copied as soon as they were put out for sale as options..I know I had a chrome bumper/high back seat car, that was delivered two days after the UK motor show revealed the black bumpers and later M series seats and I had in the cars folder, copies of the letters back and fore complaining and eventually the customer getting the 'upgrades' for a nominal sum (something like that)...as ever, what I see, is what I see, and I might be wrong, but after 15 in 'Vixen' rims the options on 14 inch Gemini, ran along side the initial T slots until 14 inch Wolfrace (came in with the Martins), were then the options, and then, silver powder or diamond-cut face.
Adrian@
Edited to say things get out of hand when the SE's come out as then all the range of the then 3 piece Compomotives turn up (the SM on the SE's 13 inch centres with stack-up to 14 outers) MY favourites are the FH's....the ex Mike Traxton 3000S, car looked stunning on 15 inch versions of them in the day...but I run 16 inch CX's on my turbo!!

Edited by Adrian@ on Sunday 16th November 22:33

[Slow M]

Guys,

Thanks for the edification.

Adrian, yes, those are very nice, indeed!

Best,
B.

[GPW41]

Thanks for the responses.

On another note, what size tyres are people running on normally aspirated cars nowadays? Any particular ones recommended for normal road use?

Dave

Edited by GPW41 on Tuesday 18th November 22:01

[sybaseian]

griff 200 said:

got to be the way to go.

Glad you like my wheels Richard.

Edited by sybaseian on Wednesday 14th January 21:28

[griff 200]

Yes a lot better than the gold I painted them!!! But it was only for a joke. At last I'm building the replacement for you're car based on a 3000m but with a few more upgrades , hope you and the old girl are all well and may be see you at classic lemans again one day. Can't believe it's about 10 years go since I built it but glad you still have her and it's about time I replaced her. Richard

[tvrmallorca]

I have a set of wheels if anyone wants to buy them. PM me if interested