There was a factory option for wire
wheels in Dec. 1964. They were the knock-off
variety (big nut with "wings" holding the wheel
on.)
In
1971 Triumph changed the wheels to be mounted
via lugnuts just like a regular wheel. While
they do not look as good as the knock off
variety, there were advantages to these wheels.
Since they were mounted the same as any other
Spitfire wheel they can easily swapped with
wheels of any other Spitfire. Less of a chance
of you getting stranded if a wheel breaks.
Also the hub adapters can wear and eventually
the wheel will spin on the hub. At the minimum
the axle won't turn the wheel, at worst the hub
will break while driving. Imagine what happens
when you loose a rear wheel at speed.
Wire wheels have always had the problem of
going out of "true" (spokes becoming loose and
the wheel wobbles on the car). I have been told
that the lug mounted wheels stay truer
longer.
The biggest advantage I would see for the car
you are looking at is that you would just remove
the disk wheels and put the wire ones on. Quick
and easy.
Yet another problem with wire wheels (both
varieties) is that they require inner tubes and
other tube related fittings. Not something you
can find at every corner Walmart automotive
section.
But they are beautiful. Some say worth the
hassles.
There are a couple
of ways to find a set of wheels:
1. Ask other Spit owners if they have a
set to sell.
a. Join a Spitfire email list and
ask.
b. place a classified on our (or other)
classifieds. http://www.triumphspitfire.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi
c. Ebay occasionally has wheels show up.
2. Purchase new from a new parts
supplier:
http://www.triumphspitfire.com/suppliers
- British Victoria has chrome ones for
$1000 and silver painted for $600 plus a
conversion kit $400
- Moss has chrome for $275 each and 160
each painted plus all the hubs, lugs,
knock-offs, etc.
- The Roadster Factory has knock off wheel
kits ($?)
- British Wire Wheel has them.
3. Purchase used from a used parts
supplier:
http://www.triumphspitfire.com/suppliers#used
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