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MG MGA - mini lite wheels

Does anyone know when the mini lite wheel came on the
market? They're on a '60 MGA, and I'm wondering if they were an Abingdon option or were installed in a
later decade. Thanks.
J.D. Carter

Minilite? -- How fast can you say "Austin Mini, 1959, and Magnesium Wheels, 1960"? See here: http://www.minilitewheels.com

A friend has a set of real Magnesium Minilite wheels, 13 x 6, on a Formula Ford race car. I think they weigh about 4 pounds each (without the tires), easy to hold two in one hand at arms length. Most modern aluminum wheels are boat anchors by comparison.

You can still buy magnesium wheels from Minilite. In 15" diameter they would be either 5-1/2" or 6" wide, your choice. I would love to have a set of those. If you have to ask about price, maybe you shouldn't.
Barney Gaylord

I love a Mini Cooper wearing minilite alloys - which is what they were probably originally made for, but in my opinion an MGA does not look right with minilites - as Barney says they were a bit later than the MGA. They are probably more in time with the MGB which looks good wearing them too. There are many fake minilites around with poor quality . My son had some which were porous and leaked air - so watch out.
Cam Cunningham

There has been a thread started on an authoritative forum which you may care to follow. People normally get close to the correct answer in the end. I think anything as early as 1960 is going to be unlikely.

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=122193
Geoff Everitt

I am putting new minilites wheels on my steel wheel 1958 MGA. I realize they may not appear to be period correct, as mentioned above. However, they are being put on MGA's as a matter of necessity.

There are no new replacement MGA steel wheels available.

Minilite wheels are the only modern replacement wheel for 50+ year old MGA steel wheels which are prone to rust, cracks, dents, out of round, and hard to balance.

Also, the rims are only are four(4)inches wide.
Try finding modern name brand tires at your local tire store that will properly fit four inch wide rims that have a fiveteen (15) inch diameter.

Keep in mind that wire wheel rims are 4 1/2 inches wide and a good selection of new replacement wire wheels and tires are available.

So there probably will be more minilite wheels appearing on MGA's in the future as the old steel wheels rust, crack and get out of round.

My 2 cents.
Reed Hayes

Here is a nice modern replacement wheel for MGA. An alloy dunlop style:
http://is.gd/6n70L
A bit on the expensive side but very nice. They supply bolt on replacements for steel wheels as well as splined centres to replace wire wheels. Apparently they can also supply for twin cam - see here on Barneys site:
http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/twincam/tc205c.htm
More pictures:
http://www.jontyrrell.com/1957-mga-current-specification.html
Neil McGurk

This thread was discussed between 03/01/2010 and 16/01/2010

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