Just wondering if there is a knock off wheel adapter kit and a place that sells wheels. I haven't found any on the web yet but was just asking if anyone has seen a set.

 

Google " knock off wheel adapter kit" and you will find many choices.

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Just found a few but nothing in 20's. Biggest seem to be 17 or 18 where most are 15 and 16. Just an exercise to see if something pops

 

Hadn't heard the term before, so I had to google it. Seems to mainly apply to wire wheels, are you looking to put wire wheels on your car?

 

No I don't think WW fit the style of the car. Looking at maybe a more aggressive style that would support the attitude of the model. Kind of like how the Hillabrand (sp) knock offs fit on the AC Cobra's. Just looking for an updated style.

 

For an X150? DON'T DO IT! I'll explain why below. If you want better wheels for your X150, get a set that are forged. They're much stronger than cast alloy wheels.

Since 1916, Dayton Wire Wheels has specialized in custom made in the USA genuine knock-off wire wheels in virtually any size: http://www.daytonwirewheel.com/pdf/c..._volume_92.pdf
They're the place to get reproductions of wire wheels used on many British and Italian sports cars of the 40's, 50's, and 60's. They also manufacture wheels for current, late model cars.

I bought a set of 5 (1 for the spare) Dayton knock-off wire wheels for my 1960 Corvette. Although gorgeous, I soon learned that they were not worth the aggravation. Installation required the use of a heavy cast iron adapter that bolted onto the brake drum wheel studs using the OEM lug nuts. The wire wheel slipped over that adapter, which had threads that protruded from the end. The 3-ear knockoff screwed onto the threaded end of the adapter and was tightened by whacking the ears with a lead hammer. Since lead was softer than the steel knockoff, the knockoff wouldn't be damaged when whacked.

Problems:

1. Weight. The adapter, wire wheel, and knockoff hub were significantly heavier than the OEM steel wheel and hubcap. That adversely affected handling and wear on suspension components.

2. Wire wheel balance. It was impossible to find a machine to spin balance the wheel/tire off the car. The Dayton wheel simply didn't fit. I tried static bubble balancers, but that didn't work very well. So I had to use a shop that could do a spin balance on the car. Try finding a shop that has the equipment to do that today.

3. Wire wheel design. Because each spoke was inserted through the inside of the rim, the wheel was not airtight. I had to use radial tubes together with my tubeless Michelin X radial tires. (I upgraded from the OEM 6.70-15 Firestone 500 bias-ply tires). Having to use tubes defeated the purpose of tubeless tires.

4. Safety. Although I gave each knockoff a few whacks every few days to make sure they were tight, to my surprise I lost a left front wheel while driving. That was VERY scary! Fortunately, there was no body damage because I was moving very slowly at the time and the car landed on the lower suspension A-arm, which also suffered no damage. That's when I decided to get rid of the wire wheels and go back to the stock wheels and hubcaps.





Stuart

 

Halibrand. Real 1966 427 Cobra "Super Snake". Don't the small wheels and big sidewall tires look funny?


If knockoffs are your thing, you can attach them to aftermarket wheels that have a cover plate over all 5 lug nuts. Google "knockoff spinners".

 

Guys I'm not talking about Wire Wheels so that is a mute subject. I also won't want to put on faux spinners because that would defeat the look also as they are easy to spot. I live about 5 miles away from the Dyson racing team home garage and when I get some time I'll drop over and see where they get their wheel for the IMSA GT cars. I've had Chrome WW on my 66 E-Type so never had a problem but they are to old school for the XKR series.

 

The wheel/tire combo here looks period correct and I would bet with todays 20's it would look out of place. Just my opinion. I think wheel size should match the character of the car. My 2010 Lexus look OK with 17" wheels but a 66 Chevelle won't.

 

Wire wheels on a Corvette just don't look right. When they came out with the knock off aluminum wheel it looked integrated with the car (try to buy them today). Also today's knock off nuts (spinners ) are installed with a 8'-10' torque wrench and a lock clip so they don't ever back off. Funny Ferrari went from all WW cars in late 60's when they had the smooth rounded transition styling and into mag/alum style wheels when they went to the wedge style design.

 

Ok, so you're looking for something like what's on these cars:

http://www.thisweekinmotors.com/top-10-best-imsa-cars/

 

Yes as far as the knock off feature but as to the wheel style I would like to see other options. I would like to see how these types of wheels are constructed and how the hubs or whether hub adapters are practical. As we know there are custom wheel manufactures but most deal with bolt on . The spline hub may or may not be a problem but it might be interesting to see how it's done. I like my OEM 20's but I also like the 5 spoke 20's so it would be interesting to see either type in knock off just to be unique. Just brain storming here.

 

If you do not have an Alcon Braking system on your XKR there are plenty of aftermarket wheels available to the Jaguar owner.

The bolt pattern, center bore, and offset is nothing unusual. They are very much standard.

You should have no problems finding a 5-spoke after market wheel of excellent quality in a cast alloy wheel. If you want the top of the line quality and willing to spend $3000 to $4000 any top wheel manufacturer (HRE) can make a custom forged wheels for you.

A complete set of cast alloy high-quality aluminum wheels will cost in the range of $1000 to $1500.

It will just take some time and research looking at wheel designs that suit's your personal taste.

There are tons of vendors that sell aftermarket wheels that will fit your Jaguar.

I had the Alcon brake system on my 2009 XKR and spent an exhaustive amount of time looking at and speaking with many wheel vendors until I found Fastco.ca to make a set for me. Cost $1350 for a cast alloy aluminum wheel set in 20". They looked great and complimented the XKR well. The amount of compliments received on the wheels were overwhelming.

Click the image to enlarge, click again for full-screen view.

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Yes, but that's not what jagtoes is looking for, he's looking for the 'single nut' system used with 'spline wheels', a totally different animal.

 

The first episode of the "Route 66" TV show featured a 1960 Corvette with Dayton KO wire wheels. Back in the day, wire wheels were in style and all of the high end British and Italian sports cars had them. After the first episode, Route 66 featured the 1961 and later model Corvettes, but none of them had wire wheels. See: IMCDb.org: 1960 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in "Route 66, 1960-1964"



In 1956, GM President Harlow Curtis had a one-off custom Corvette built for his personal use that was fitted with Dayton KO wire wheels. See: 1956 Harlow Curtis SR-2 Lookalike




I think wire wheels look great on the C1, and were in keeping with the times. Anyone else agree?

Stuart

 

Absolutely!

 

Sorry not my taste and the luggage rack on the rt66 car didn't fit the type of car. Maybe on a MG TC or TD but not a Corvette. I did love the Borrani type WW used on the 60's Ferrari's but as the styling changed so did my opinion.

 

me

 

Like JagToes, it was and is Borrani's for me if I were to go that direction. For my XKR, if I were to go custom it would be Coventry Whitley wheels.

 

Whatever your ultimate choice, I think wheel/tire weight should be the primary consideration. Your "base" is the OEM wheel and tire mounted weight. Any material weight increase will degrade handling and suspension life. By the same token, any material decrease will have a positive effect. Ounces count!