got a set of minilites

[hoffman912]

not bad for $350 for a full set of 4 eh??? B)

former owner painted them gold.. i plan on either going grey or silver powdercoat or bare aluminum.. thoughts?

[Mr9146]

Go Harry!! I say run 'em in gold. The contrast would be great! Of course, I'm an idiot so don't listen to me.

[GTS]

I had them on my Lotus ( 8 and 12 ), polished rim and painted centers.Doing so it's best to have a can of "Neverdull" handy.The Magnesium really has a tendency to get dull fast. Stefan GTSclassics

[andyjboy]

GTS said: - "The Magnesium really has a tendency to get dull fast"

Harry's wheels are the aluminium version.

[CurtEgerer]

That's a great deal! I would probably try bare aluminum treated with Gibbs and see how that looks & holds up. You could always paint/powdercoat from there.

[Cornpanzer]

Wow, way to go Harry!
I am afraid that bare unpolished aluminum would be tought to keep an even finish on such a complex wheel. That being said, silver paint often looks too bling. If you go silver, use something along the lines of GM Rallye wheel paint. A med non-metallic grey might give more of an industrial/magnesium look.
I wouldnt powdercoat because then you will be locked in to one look. Paint is cheap and easy to change

BTW, I have a 68 2.0 Longblock sitting in my garage looking for a nice home

[pu911rsr]

You want to make sure powdercoat baking isn't too hot. Paint may be a better choice.
Phil

[bob tilton]

Hey Harry - looking forward to seeing the final results!

[hoffman912]

thanks guys! i definitly want a grey or darker silver color, with some gloss or shine on it. -sort of like the anadized/frosted look, but not completely dull. I think that would really go well with the burgandy color.

btw, anyone know where to get new lug nuts/washers for these wheels?

[BAPhotowerks]

A set of vintage Minilite Sports for $350? I'd say you did very well... I paid $1100 for a set last summer. Two were presentable and the other two I painted with standard silver from Wurth. At some point I plan properly refinish the set, but for now I'm just enjoying the look and giving the Fuchs a rest. I think the 6.5" wheel fills out a stock 911 perfectly, welcome to the club!

The mag lugs and washers required for that wheel can be found easily, as long as you don't mind the chrome acorn look. The thread size you need is 14mm x 1.5, and I think the depth is 1" and the diameter is .75". I've been searching for a set of open-ended lugs, and the closest I can find are on the site below. They also have the standard acorn type.

CUSTOM WHEEL ACCESSORIES, INC.
Tel: 714-827-5200
Fax: 714-828-7113
Email: cwaincusa@aol.com
Web: www.cwausa.com

These guys are only wholesale, but Gorilla makes lugs that are widely available on the web, tell Google to find something like "14mm mag lug".

I have access to a lathe and have cosidered modifying the set I have to be open-ended, but I'm afraid of shaving an integral part of the lug's strength off onto the floor, and finding out in a heavy corner!

And one more thing... the stamping opposite the wheel size is the date code. My guess is early '70s since they still have mag lugs but are aluminum (not magnesium).