Well I bought these wheels tonight, they are 4 lug 15 inch wheels. looks like a 4.5 bolt pattern. They are American Racing....Are they useless or do I have something ?
Look like the EMPI wheels that you could buy in aluminum for VW's. I have a friend that has some like those that you posted.
not useless at all. They look a lot like the old "Minilite" wheels used in racing. Foreign car enthusiasts would probably be happy to buy those wheels, they were a quite popular accessory to make your Sprite of Midget look racy. You'd have to verify the bolt pattern before you advertise them.
Absolutely usless. Now I am not opposed to drilling my front hubs to 4 lug, you no doubt have no use for them and it is Christmas. Doooooo ya want my address?
Looks and awful lot like a set of EMPI 8 spokes for VW 4 on 130mm (about 5.11") Minilite's were mentioned, but note that genuine Minilites (and the Panasport copies) did NOT have the spokes go all the way to the center like the wheels posted by the OP
I can't tell you the manufacturer off the top of my head, but if they are 4x4 1/2" [attern they were used a bunch on the BRE Datsuns for road racing back in the early seventies. On the 510s and on the 240Z cars. That group will be able to identify them for you, and I know they are out there. Same apttern as the Falcon and Corvair. 'Matter of fact I would love to have a set for one of my Falcons, but I have a feeling you'll find they are worth a good dollar to the right person.
but they didn't run skinny 15's on the BRE cars. The 510's ran 13" and the Z's ran 14". they also used American Racing Libre and Lemans (they are both 4 spokes) wheels pretty much exclusively. From Pete Brock - The BRE Datsuns of 1969-1972 ran with American Racing Libre and Le Mans magnesium wheels: Le Mans wheels were used on the BRE Datsun 2000 Roadsters & BRE Datsun 240Zs Libre wheels were used on the BRE Datsun 510s
Crap Don, I misread. I thought they were 14" wheels which is why I was dismissing your EMPIs at a glance. I'll bet the pattern is 4x130mm then, and if it is it's a hell of a score! I still have seen that type of wheels (but 14") on Datsuns back in the seventies though. it always bugged me 'cause they were so similar to the minilites but not quite. Your right though, it might not have been in conjunction withn BRE.
Yep. there were that style of wheel for Datsun's for sure, just wan't the BRE cars EMPI actually made them for Datsun's! They called them EMPI GT's and they were in 14" only and had steering wheels as well.
FYI, If the OP's wheels are American Racing, they were called Silverstones and could be just about any 4 bolt pattern.
wow! dude! thats rad....now I feel that they are cool enough to be displayed in my living room next to the 12 spokes. thanks for posting the pic!
The old tires that are on the rims are bias ply, and they do look like something similar to front runner tires on a drag car from the 60's.
I think they are bitchin...but I really dig the early road racing style like that on the MG's, Bugs, etc. Never saw em on a gasser before thats pretty cool!
Quote: Originally Posted by VirgilHilts http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-Amer...-/110814209978 $1375 FOR 4!!!! here is your answer
VW EMPIs or copies. I beleive Rocket made them also. If they are Empies, there should be a name on the backside. Got a set of 4 also.Never worthless. That gasser could have used VW drums to mount the wheels and adapted appropriate bearings to the spindles. Improvise. My 54 Chevy gasser used VW rims (4" wide) with Chevy centered welded in with Parrelli tires. Even though your set look pretty rough, might consider going on a VW site or Evilbay. You would be surprised if they are true Empi.
Hit the samba.com and really get a good idea of what they are worth. You never answered if the bolt pattern was 4 on 130mm or not. If they are, they will not fit a Ford Falcon as I first thought they might.
badass....Ive always liked that vette, never looked at the front wheels though...I was always fascinated with how they chunked out the quarters and front fenders
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