Early Magnesium Minilite info

[Car_Couture_NL]

Hi Guys,

first of all I'll kinda introduce myself a bit of topic to get started and drop questions here. I'm from The Netherlands and I'm currently working on my '65 912/6 Brumos Homage. As I'm always on the lookout for rare parts and period correct vintage stuff I came across this pair of very early magnesium wheels. Based on my search on this website this is what I've found out so far, but the information is very limited online regarding these very old series.



They are genuine early Mags, staggered set of approx. 6,5 and 7,5 inch x 15 inch if I measure correct.

The narrow set is stamped with "SB", "U", "Made in England", and model code "5737"
The wider set is stamped with "SB", "U", Made in England", and model code "5738"

They are oxidized/rough as can be expected from 60yo Magnesium wheels which have been mounted on a (stranded rusty) project car until last year.
I had them chemically stripped and gently walnut blasted to get rid of a very incorrect, thick and messy paint job. A name came up under the layers of thick paint but I am not sure who this is as a quick google search came up with nothing special.





Currently the inside and base are painted in a very thin layer of matching silver to prevent any further oxidation. The fronts have been soaked in WD40 and kept blank/rough like I think they should be anyway.

Any info on exact dates and history on these is welcome! The only visually matching set I've found online are the ones John Straub is running on his white car.

[uai]

WD40 contains Acid - not good
Try to find sth like gibbs or a phosphate treatment
https://www.riag.ch/produkte/konvers...hosphatierung/

[Car_Couture_NL]

WD40 is actually acid free, a lot of the old race guys here (USA car scene) use it on bare Magnesium as Gibbs is no longer represented in the EU. WD40 does the trick, it just needs to be redone more often if you actually drive/use the wheels.

[Bob Schaefer]

Hi Car Couture - That’s a beautiful set of Minilites. I’m having trouble reading the name from the photo. Curious what letters you see.

I attended some SCCA TransAm races in the late ‘60’s to early ‘70’s and saw teams transition from American “Torque Thrusts” (IIRC) to Minilites. I don’t know what wheel widths were allowed, but TransAm racers might be a place these were used back in the day. But maybe not in staggered width sets.

[Car_Couture_NL]

As they are staggered I don't want to run them on my '65 so i've put them up for sale on pcarmarket for those who are interested. 7.5 is just too much for a narrow oldie for the rear in my opinion.

https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/m...nilite-wheels/

Sad to see them leave the livingroom tho, great decoration.

[Car_Couture_NL]

Hi Car Couture - That’s a beautiful set of Minilites. I’m having trouble reading the name from the photo. Curious what letters you see.

I attended some SCCA TransAm races in the late ‘60’s to early ‘70’s and saw teams transition from American “Torque Thrusts” (IIRC) to Minilites. I don’t know what wheel widths were allowed, but TransAm racers might be a place these were used back in the day. But maybe not in staggered width sets.

It is either "Jos Mons/Mens"

Which is a Dutch/Belgian name I assume. However, Google didn't help me out this time.

[911MRP]

Get them crack tested and checked for porosity the old Minilite rims can degrade and become problematic!

I have previously posted period literature and reference information regarding British made Minilites:

For example









The design changed later. Not sure if they always had the hump to permit use with radial tyres so that ans other details might date them.
This is historical reference info — check it meets relevant current road regulations and or FiA ASN regulations in country and region

HTH

Steve

PS you mention Brumos homage … I have a neat period Brumos ring binder with extensive parts list from mid 60s that is probably surplus as I don’t have Brumos car or Porsche that early, just never got around to selling it. Probably deserves to be with a Brumos car is mid sixties. Brumos branded ring binder and covering letter also has a Brumos Porsche car corporations brand on the first covering letter. It dates from roughly beginning of model year 65 — letters has date August 1964. It’s a tobacco colour not the familiar red wire blue but has beginnings of the Brumos logo shape on front of ring binder



Inch or maybe two thick printed contents listing all parts with prices some hand annotated to change the price suggesting it was once a working copy at Brumos or affiliate?