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MG MG Y Type - Wheel Colour

This has probably been discussed before but what is the general consensus on wheel colours for Tourers and Sedans ?
Did they normal match the body colour ?
A lot of Tourers seem to have had cream wheels.
Your advice appreciated.
cheers
Ian
Ian Prior

I don't know what the "proper rule" is , but I think that body colour wheels look best,

John Y4895
J Foster

Not sure i agree with you John it depends on the colour, i dont think my grey YB would look right with grey wheels the cream wheels seem to set it off. i have seen a maroon car with same colour wheels and it looks a picture.

JC Jebb

I see your point, the contrast definitely works on that colour, mine is ivory with black wings and the wheels show up well,

John

J Foster

Ian,

This subject is covered in detail in Chapter 13 of David Lawrence's Let There Be Y's. If you are not fortunate enough to own a hard copy, Paul Barrow supplies CD versions for purchase through this website.

In general YT wheels were painted Sequoia Cream/Ivory unless this was the body color, in which case the wheels were silver (as on all contemporary T-Series Midgets).

Saloons generally had wheels in body color, with some exceptions on very early Y's.

Rocky
Rodney C "Rocky" von Dullen

Hi Rodney

Thanks for your advice

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the Book
I would purchase a copy of the CD but it doesn't come in a Apple Mac version.

How about it guys ????

cheers
Ian
Ian Prior

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/colours.shtml#Y/T%20Tourer
R E Knight

Ian

I need to run the existing inventory of LTBYs down to ZERO first. The new versions are MAC compatible but currently only the YA/YT manuals are in the new format. With the existing margins I cannot afford to merely write off the inventory. However you can, on a MAC, run a Windows Partition on your hard drive and you would then be able to use the existing format I am assured. I will soon be personally switching to a MAC BOOK so will know more at that time.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Certainly from what I have read the 'County Cream'as referred to in Richard's link appears correct.

I am of the view as to how aesthetically pleasing the contrast in colour between wheels and body is. The same colour for both with dark bodies creates a visually heavy appearance.Contrast that with a lighter coloured wheel and the outcome is more pleasing.

If you get a chance to see Mike Silk's excellent YT which is Old English White (and can be found on YTs on Parade has silver grey painted wheels which I feel provide a subtle contrast.

However, it comes down to personal choice and the finish can be easily changed although where wheels have been stove enamelled it is a more expensive process than spray cans. It's your decision!

Jerry


J P BIRKBECK

This shot shows more of the body than the wheel although it just about reveals the contrast!



J P BIRKBECK

The colour of wheels is not something that I have ever thought about, probably because my YB is two tone maroon over cream, with the wheels in matching cream.

What gives the wheels an aesthetic appeal is the chrome rim & hubcap. If you look at MG models with wire wheels, those with chrome spokes do tend to have a similar aesthetic look to them. I wonder if chrome spokes were an option or whether chrome is the choice of renovators?

R Taylor

Totally the choice of renovators. Never an option in the day. Having wire wheels on my MGB is the worst decision I have made in my car life! Given half a chance I'd switch to steel wheel discs in a heartbeat! Wires are a real pain from so many points!!

Paul
Paul R Barrow

Correct on the choice of the renovator Paul. I disagree with your views on wires though! On a TA, MGA and TC that I have owned over the years never a problem. They undoubtedly require more maintenance and do take time to clean. Probably best to go for stainless steel wires if that is the choice.

I can fully understand the difference in views as to their application on Ys. On a personal level they add so much to the visual quality of the Y and particularly the YT. However, the cost of change is significant and retaining 16" wheels is difficult. I discussed this at length with MWS the wire wheel company and the cost on the YT would have been around £2-3k for new hubs, wires and tyres (though going down in size to 15" wheels and therefore using radials). The matter was discussed at length on this site over 12 months ago with an excellent contribution from Y owners in Oz.

Its up to the individual!

Cheers
Jerry
J P BIRKBECK

That's an interesting post Jerry, I share your sentiment about wire wheels, my friend's E-Type takes hours to bring them up to a showroom shine, but the effort is so worth it.

There's a Y-Type that looks like it's been sprayed two tone silver, or more, silver/grey. It has wire wheels that, I think, really make the car stand out. Each to their own of course. Is the car known? I did notice that it's wipers are set differently to mine and it lacks a starting handle guide bracket, essential for finding TDC, I would have thought. But what a beautiful car.


R Taylor

Yes absolutely spot on Robert it does look superb and its especially pleasing when the wires are chrome or stainless.

I think that bling can be overdone on occasions. However, wires can add so much to a Y. More so when the car is a dark colour and the wheels are painted in the same hue. Black paint finishes tend to create a visually heavy appearance, although on those models fitted with chrome embellishers these help to soften the appearance.

The MGA that we used to own was fitted with steel wheels when I bought it in 2011. I fitted an adaptor kit and a set of chrome wires and radials from MWS and it transformed the appearance. They add a sexiness to the car be it an A, an E Type or a Y. Though some wont agree!

Have fun!
Jerry


J P BIRKBECK

I think grey on gray looks fine ;-)

Willem van der Veer

You are right Willem, the grey does look fine. My penchant for red & cream with lashings of chrome probably stems from the days when our daily ride was this big American beastie.


R Taylor

This thread was discussed between 06/08/2017 and 28/09/2017

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