Period alloys for 1960 racecar

Period alloys for 1960 racecar

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8113SF

Original Poster:

12 posts

270 months

Wednesday 24th October 2001
quotequote all
It's me with the 1960 FIA Grantura IIa again!

The homologation forms for my car say that it's ok to fit 15" alloy wheels in place of the wires. Does anyone know which wheels are homologated/available? The car's too early for minilites. I've found places with wobbly webs and replicas, but in 13" only.

FatBoy Spin

77 posts

272 months

Thursday 25th October 2001
quotequote all
I have just found an article about the trade name 'Minilite' which says that:

.....the MINILITE wheel was designed by John Ford and Derek Power in 1962......

So you won't be so far out, although I understand your point. I have copies of French mags showing all Le Mans entries for the mid to late 60s and it's apparent that in that branch of racing the GT40s had their own (Hallibrand?) Minis/Deep Sanderson/etc. and Spitfires had Minilites or 'Dunlop Safety'-type alloys. Most of the rest were wires. Big Porsches and a few others even used steels! Ferrari persevered with wires until late into the 60s.

Spin

8113SF

Original Poster:

12 posts

270 months

Friday 26th October 2001
quotequote all
Thanks (again) 'Spin. Unfortunately the car runs in FIA Period E (1/1/47 - 31/12/61) and 12.11 of the FIA Appendix K states that: "Wheels: Must be of a type homologated or to a specification available in the period. The wheels may be reinforced, which may entail a modification of the attachment system provided such an attachment system was used in period for that model."

It goes on to say that cars in Period F (1/1/62 - 31/12/65) "...may be equipped with "Minilite" style alloy wheels to the original wheel dimensions, on condition that no alternative period specification lightweight wheel is available." but that's of no use to me really.

Photos I've seen of cars racing in period with alloys all seem to have "wobbly webs" fitted, bizarrely, all the wheels seem to have been painted yellow also!

I guess I'll keep looking.

FatBoy Spin

77 posts

272 months

Friday 26th October 2001
quotequote all
Yes - I understand.

Maybe a good idea to run down to POOKs books near Leicester or another 'old magazine' retailer and just look around to see what was available at the time. I suppose the options should have been available for the early TRs, but I don't know so much about them.

Spin

pistolar

1,474 posts

268 months

Monday 31st December 2001
quotequote all
try looking at jim lowrys site as he has an ex racing grantura for sale with wobbly wheels. www.historique.co.uk

pistolar