J.A. Pearce wheels Mini (JAP wheels)
Discussion
Hi there,
New member on this website with a great interest in TVR's, Mini's and other Mini derivates. I'm owning a Heerey GTM from 1971 and for this car I'm looking for a set of J.A. Pearce wheels size 6x10. Is there someone who has these wheels and who could be interested in selling them to me. If one of the readers knows someone who has these wheels please let me know also.
Many thanks in forward.
Michiel Kisjes
New member on this website with a great interest in TVR's, Mini's and other Mini derivates. I'm owning a Heerey GTM from 1971 and for this car I'm looking for a set of J.A. Pearce wheels size 6x10. Is there someone who has these wheels and who could be interested in selling them to me. If one of the readers knows someone who has these wheels please let me know also.
Many thanks in forward.
Michiel Kisjes
Edited by Kisjes on Saturday 19th July 11:23
I've had 2 sets. They are very rare and I was talking to a guy who was selling 3 the other day and had 3 because the 4th one broke up on him.
Be careful using old magnesium wheels. JAP's are made out of a more corrosion resistant alloy than old minilites, but they still go brittle with age.
I used to be against the whole hype of old mag wheels, but unless they are for show, forget it. If you have a wheel burst, the consequences could be huge.
If you look carefully at JAP's they have a weakness in the casting halfway between the edges. This is where they break and the middles rip out.
Also, if you do find a set, make sure the nut holes are in good nick as they wear severely and would need machining.
I've seen about 3 sets go since I stopped looking for any more. I'm going for reissue mag minilites.
In australia, car trailers have very similar ones. The 5x10 8 spokes. These are fresh. However, the best looking are the 6 or 6.5" 8 spokes.
Pre 67 ones have J.A.P cast in ovals and the 67 and later have 3 stamped MAGNA and one with the date. If you have these, you probably have a set.
The castings varied a lot and getting a few wheels at a time will probably leave you with oddities.
The early castings had 12 very small spokes on the back...
Also available were 12 spokes, I think these were 4.5" and they fetch a fortune.
They are very light though. I would be so careful about having one go on you.
Good luck.
Be careful using old magnesium wheels. JAP's are made out of a more corrosion resistant alloy than old minilites, but they still go brittle with age.
I used to be against the whole hype of old mag wheels, but unless they are for show, forget it. If you have a wheel burst, the consequences could be huge.
If you look carefully at JAP's they have a weakness in the casting halfway between the edges. This is where they break and the middles rip out.
Also, if you do find a set, make sure the nut holes are in good nick as they wear severely and would need machining.
I've seen about 3 sets go since I stopped looking for any more. I'm going for reissue mag minilites.
In australia, car trailers have very similar ones. The 5x10 8 spokes. These are fresh. However, the best looking are the 6 or 6.5" 8 spokes.
Pre 67 ones have J.A.P cast in ovals and the 67 and later have 3 stamped MAGNA and one with the date. If you have these, you probably have a set.
The castings varied a lot and getting a few wheels at a time will probably leave you with oddities.
The early castings had 12 very small spokes on the back...
Also available were 12 spokes, I think these were 4.5" and they fetch a fortune.
They are very light though. I would be so careful about having one go on you.
Good luck.
Thanks very much for the information about these wheels. I am very aware of the fact that old magnesium wheels are having problems due to corrosion and cracks caused by age and sportive use.
A friend of mine used magnesium minilites for his Cooper S and one of them cracked during a rally session. Lot's of damage and a incomplete set of his favourite wheels richer, he desided to use new made alloy Minilites.
When I'll find the wheels these will be partly used for show, simply because of the fact that these wheels are so period that I don't want to risk damaging the Heerey GTM. But I think the wheels are the most brutal wheels you can buy and because of that look fantastic! For the more sportive use I think I will take Revolutions 6x10 4 spokes. If you ever find a nice usable safe and complete set of JA Pearce wheels please let me know.
Thanks very much for you reply.
Kind regards,
Michiel.
A friend of mine used magnesium minilites for his Cooper S and one of them cracked during a rally session. Lot's of damage and a incomplete set of his favourite wheels richer, he desided to use new made alloy Minilites.
When I'll find the wheels these will be partly used for show, simply because of the fact that these wheels are so period that I don't want to risk damaging the Heerey GTM. But I think the wheels are the most brutal wheels you can buy and because of that look fantastic! For the more sportive use I think I will take Revolutions 6x10 4 spokes. If you ever find a nice usable safe and complete set of JA Pearce wheels please let me know.
Thanks very much for you reply.
Kind regards,
Michiel.
You could get the chinese to copy them. In fact, my last set I got from a guy in Birmingham who owned a foundry and would have done a small scale run.
If you did get them made, they would sell very well.
The castings are VERY thin, which makes them all that more suspect. They are a beautiful wheel. The minilite is quite a chunky thing in comparison.
If you did get them made, they would sell very well.
The castings are VERY thin, which makes them all that more suspect. They are a beautiful wheel. The minilite is quite a chunky thing in comparison.
They probably would sell well, but on the other hand it's going to take a lot of money to manufacture these wheels. But it could be worth it to check the options. These wheels are indeed very nice and look in my opinion better under a early GTM car. Minilites are also very nice but look the fantastic under a Mini only in 10 inch though!
But.... still no other relpy from someone who knows these wheels, which gives a idea about how rare these wheels are. You know some guys who had these wheels, could you ask around please, perhaps this brings something. Thanks again for the reply!
Michiel.
But.... still no other relpy from someone who knows these wheels, which gives a idea about how rare these wheels are. You know some guys who had these wheels, could you ask around please, perhaps this brings something. Thanks again for the reply!
Michiel.
i dont think the jap wheels are rare as such, just they where not a popular in the day (and where hellish expensive), that, and the fact they where made of magnesium and very thin has meant that today they are a rare item.
as a result the second hand value is a fair bit.
ive seen a few sets, none i would have run on a car, the magnesium versions where all life expired (not that it stopped the owners blasting them and repainting them before passing them onto unknowledgeable gullible punters!
i have sen the odd set of 5 inch wide alloy (not mag, so heavy) ones, but the design looses some of its punch on a thinner wheel.
i know of a few sets, but none are for sale.
as a result the second hand value is a fair bit.
ive seen a few sets, none i would have run on a car, the magnesium versions where all life expired (not that it stopped the owners blasting them and repainting them before passing them onto unknowledgeable gullible punters!
i have sen the odd set of 5 inch wide alloy (not mag, so heavy) ones, but the design looses some of its punch on a thinner wheel.
i know of a few sets, but none are for sale.
Hi Guru,
Thanks for the reply. Perhaps they are not very rare, but you just don't see them in these days anymore. The first time I saw these wheels was in the Peter Filby book, Amazing Mini, page 167, described as the "christmas tree" shown in Hot Car magazine in early 1968. Then I knew I wanted these wheels, the deep dish style and great look of these wheels made me decide that these are the best wheels for my car. Anyway, you know a couple of guys who have these wheels, could you be so kind to ask them if they would be interested in selling the wheels? I know that most of the people who have these wheels are not prepared to sell them, but someone will eventualy!!
Thanks,
Michiel.
Thanks for the reply. Perhaps they are not very rare, but you just don't see them in these days anymore. The first time I saw these wheels was in the Peter Filby book, Amazing Mini, page 167, described as the "christmas tree" shown in Hot Car magazine in early 1968. Then I knew I wanted these wheels, the deep dish style and great look of these wheels made me decide that these are the best wheels for my car. Anyway, you know a couple of guys who have these wheels, could you be so kind to ask them if they would be interested in selling the wheels? I know that most of the people who have these wheels are not prepared to sell them, but someone will eventualy!!
Thanks,
Michiel.
Hi Browno,
Thanks for the info. Got in touch with them a couple of weeks ago, but they don't give any reply. I called them a couple of times, told them I want to buy these wheels, but it seems every time I call "the boss" is not in and doesn't show any interest in calling back as well. Probably the best way to get them is drive straight to these guys and buy the wheels, big chance this will work!
Thanks again for your reaction!
Thanks for the info. Got in touch with them a couple of weeks ago, but they don't give any reply. I called them a couple of times, told them I want to buy these wheels, but it seems every time I call "the boss" is not in and doesn't show any interest in calling back as well. Probably the best way to get them is drive straight to these guys and buy the wheels, big chance this will work!
Thanks again for your reaction!
My original wheels (the gold ones in the top pic) ended up on this car in the US.
http://www.minimania.com/web/threadid/92378/InfoID...
They look great, snag is that the muppet who owned them decided to turn off the scuff lip with a lathe, leaving a nasty point.
These are similar and also in "Tuning your mini" 3rd edition. On some old race car. They did these in very wide widths.
http://www.minimania.com/web/threadid/90817/InfoID...
Matey seems to be interested in getting rid of these.
I had a set of 6" ones which I paid £200 for which were perfect and they went up in my shed fire.
One thing I will say is that they stick out loads and loads. This makes your steering "different". Different in a bad way. Do be astonished how much they stick out, esp with S brakes!!!!
I would get an advert on turbominis.co.uk minimania.com/msgthreads.cfm and anywhere else you can stick something. As well as both mini magazines.
Sets are out there and they do go for a sensible price. They sometimes come up on ebay and in my estimation, the 6" are more common than the other sizes.
If you look at my top ones, the end one is a 5" to fit under the boot board!!
There are quite a few sets floating around the states.
I'd be interested in one 6" or 6.5" as I've found a place which copies wheels.
http://www.minimania.com/web/threadid/92378/InfoID...
They look great, snag is that the muppet who owned them decided to turn off the scuff lip with a lathe, leaving a nasty point.
These are similar and also in "Tuning your mini" 3rd edition. On some old race car. They did these in very wide widths.
http://www.minimania.com/web/threadid/90817/InfoID...
Matey seems to be interested in getting rid of these.
I had a set of 6" ones which I paid £200 for which were perfect and they went up in my shed fire.
One thing I will say is that they stick out loads and loads. This makes your steering "different". Different in a bad way. Do be astonished how much they stick out, esp with S brakes!!!!
I would get an advert on turbominis.co.uk minimania.com/msgthreads.cfm and anywhere else you can stick something. As well as both mini magazines.
Sets are out there and they do go for a sensible price. They sometimes come up on ebay and in my estimation, the 6" are more common than the other sizes.
If you look at my top ones, the end one is a 5" to fit under the boot board!!
There are quite a few sets floating around the states.
I'd be interested in one 6" or 6.5" as I've found a place which copies wheels.
Kisjes said:
Hi Mark,
Doesn't matter if it's not Mini related, but yes they realy look the part. Great period wheels that will look great under my Heerey GTM. Thanks for your reply and glad that you share my opinion!
Hi MichielDoesn't matter if it's not Mini related, but yes they realy look the part. Great period wheels that will look great under my Heerey GTM. Thanks for your reply and glad that you share my opinion!
they look great, have spent a lot of time over the past few years looking for some (or very similar) to put on my TVR
Markh said:
Kisjes said:
Hi Mark,
Doesn't matter if it's not Mini related, but yes they realy look the part. Great period wheels that will look great under my Heerey GTM. Thanks for your reply and glad that you share my opinion!
Hi MichielDoesn't matter if it's not Mini related, but yes they realy look the part. Great period wheels that will look great under my Heerey GTM. Thanks for your reply and glad that you share my opinion!
they look great, have spent a lot of time over the past few years looking for some (or very similar) to put on my TVR
Tpfkalm said:
Markh said:
Kisjes said:
Hi Mark,
Doesn't matter if it's not Mini related, but yes they realy look the part. Great period wheels that will look great under my Heerey GTM. Thanks for your reply and glad that you share my opinion!
Hi MichielDoesn't matter if it's not Mini related, but yes they realy look the part. Great period wheels that will look great under my Heerey GTM. Thanks for your reply and glad that you share my opinion!
they look great, have spent a lot of time over the past few years looking for some (or very similar) to put on my TVR
It would be simple enough to fit centre locks. The originals were bolt on which would sadly mean about another inch spacer.
They are after all race wheels for race cars. On a smooth track that is fine but real life makes your steering horrible.
I had some on the mini (huge offset) and whilst it went around corners like it was on rails, if you put the power on, on a corner, it would pull like hell, if you went over a bump, it would pull like hell.
I have gone back to 5" wheels with minimum offset. The steering is light and if I do get it out of shape on a corner, I can get it back in shape more easy.
I wouldn't fit JA Pearce wheels or fancy split rims to any of my cars....
I''ve had both sorts and whilst they look great, they make it unpleasant to drive. You have to run lots of castor to stop it kicking so much and that makes it heavy, etc.
I would like to get a set made just for the hell of it. I can probably chase the guy who said he would do a limited number of castings.
They are after all race wheels for race cars. On a smooth track that is fine but real life makes your steering horrible.
I had some on the mini (huge offset) and whilst it went around corners like it was on rails, if you put the power on, on a corner, it would pull like hell, if you went over a bump, it would pull like hell.
I have gone back to 5" wheels with minimum offset. The steering is light and if I do get it out of shape on a corner, I can get it back in shape more easy.
I wouldn't fit JA Pearce wheels or fancy split rims to any of my cars....
I''ve had both sorts and whilst they look great, they make it unpleasant to drive. You have to run lots of castor to stop it kicking so much and that makes it heavy, etc.
I would like to get a set made just for the hell of it. I can probably chase the guy who said he would do a limited number of castings.
Matey seems to be interested in getting rid of these.
Thanks very much for the information. I have spoken to the guy, Allan, who has these Remotech wheels. He wants to trade them for my Cosmic 6x10 wheels that are now under the Heerey GTM. They look almost the same on the JA Pearce wheels. But, if one of you readers knows about a set of JA Pearce wheels or owning such a set please let me know, I am still looking for a nice set. Would also be nice to fit under my Mini from 1973.
Thanks again for the info, this is the way it should be, helping fellow enthusiasts!!!
Best regards,
Michiel.
Thanks very much for the information. I have spoken to the guy, Allan, who has these Remotech wheels. He wants to trade them for my Cosmic 6x10 wheels that are now under the Heerey GTM. They look almost the same on the JA Pearce wheels. But, if one of you readers knows about a set of JA Pearce wheels or owning such a set please let me know, I am still looking for a nice set. Would also be nice to fit under my Mini from 1973.
Thanks again for the info, this is the way it should be, helping fellow enthusiasts!!!
Best regards,
Michiel.
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