Bigger Wheels

[Over50]

Hope to get back to Vixen restoration soon, if the temperature can stay positive. In the meantime, has anyone seen or fitted 16 inch wheels to a Vixen, or is this not a good idea.
Seems you can get closer to original wheel/tyre dimensions with a 16in. All comments welcome.

Dave.

[thegamekeeper]

How much closer to the original can you get than original! Don't really understand why you buy a classic but want something else. "Originality is everything". If you want a custom car I,ll buy the Vixen off you and help you find something to customise.

[Slow M]

thegamekeeper said:

How much closer to the original can you get than original! Don't really understand why you buy a classic but want something else. "Originality is everything". If you want a custom car I,ll buy the Vixen off you and help you find something to customise.

Well, there's the petrol.
Now...anyone have a match?

Edited by Slow M on Wednesday 26th January 07:58

[JR]

thegamekeeper said:

How much closer to the original can you get than original! Don't really understand why you buy a classic but want something else. "Originality is everything". If you want a custom car I,ll buy the Vixen off you and help you find something to customise.

I see that you got out of bed on the wrong side that day Steve. Originality may be everything to you but not to evryone; I remember a Back Home meeting where someone had just restored a Vixen/Grant (can't remember which) to as near original condition and at the end of his speel mentioned the top speed on the motorway to Trevor. "Is that all?" he replied "Have you tried twin carbs or..." so that's what originality meant to the founder. This guy is only thinking of changing the wheels. Not a bad idea if it's not going to be a garage queen only since the original rubber sizes are becoming scarce and not available in the best quality that can be bought today.

What size are the original? 175/15? If so a 215/60/16 on a 7" rim would be a pleasing prospect as long as you have the wheel arch and mechanical clearance for the extra width.

[thegamekeeper]

I think you missed the smiley. I am never in a bad mood.PS my old banger has none standard wheels and low profile tyres.
pps, standard tyres were 165x15, standard fitment on VW beetle and many other cars in period. Plenty of choice and not expensive given you will probably never wear them out

Edited by thegamekeeper on Wednesday 26th January 10:51

Edited by thegamekeeper on Wednesday 26th January 10:52

[JR]

thegamekeeper said:

I think you missed the smiley. I am never in a bad mood.PS my old banger has none standard wheels and low profile tyres.

Oops :-)
I guess that the Griff had a lot of rubber, or did they modify some geometry of mechanical bits or bodywork?

[thegamekeeper]

Bernard, intersting you should mention petrol and matches. Have a look at the 3000M window thread. Had a call this morning from a dear friend of 30 years this morning. He was stupidly (but we,ve all been there) drilling near his fuel tank on his vixen. H was aware of the danger of igniting petrol fumes so put the drill in a plastic bag to protect the sparks from the motor. You guessed it, the drill drew in the vapours and BANG. His hair and clothing were on fire, headlining and a very serious situation.He had to smash the rear glass window to get accesss to the blaze and VERY luckily managed to smother the fire with 2 car covers. The fuel was boiling in the tank and very close to a massive exlosion. Luckily he and his brother are both OK and his pride and joy ( he loves the car more than anyone I know loves a car) are fixable but that must have been terrifying. All take note

Edited by thegamekeeper on Wednesday 26th January 11:37

[BlackTVRV8]

I'm running P205/55 R16 on the front (6.5" wheel) and P225/50 R16 (7.5" wheel) on the rear of my 2500M on. The selection of 16 wheels and tires/tyres is becoming much better than the 15" selection. I have a set of Vixen turbine wheels I cleaned up and powder coated but couldn't find a tyre combination that looked correct; hence the 16" HRE wheels and tyres; the car looks much better with this combo. The Vixen appears to be a little narrower in the rear than the M so sizing may have to go down a notch, but I recommend shifting to a 16" wheel IF the wheel/tyre looks correct.

Edited by BlackTVRV8 on Thursday 27th January 00:02

[Over50]

Thanks for the replies.
This all started after looking at some old photos 40yrs+, of my old 1800S, wire wheels, loads of rubber and how they filled the arch!
Not sure I could go back to 165/80/15, but I would like to see those arches filled on the Vixen.

[JR]

Over50 said:

Thanks for the replies.
This all started after looking at some old photos 40yrs+, of my old 1800S, wire wheels, loads of rubber and how they filled the arch!
Not sure I could go back to 165/80/15, but I would like to see those arches filled on the Vixen.

How about some 215/55/16s? That would allow you to move into UHP rubber.

[Voodoo13]

Just wondering, I have 5 x Turbines of which 4 x have been refurbed and one still to be done. I've fitted 4 x new TOYO tyres to the refurbed rims. Any idea much would these be worth as I'm looking to change to superlites?