My Old School Early 70's Magnesium Minilites (not wannabe's)!

[JLPurcell]

My old school Minilites (true magnesium) from the 70’s, I just pick my set of 4 up from having them media blasted and a fresh powder coat applied. I am getting them ready to sell. 14X7.5 Amazingly I found all 16 original lug nuts which are off having the chrome stripped and then they will get a black zinc plate.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

14x7.5

What a crazy size!!!! That is awesome

[jfa.series1]

Wheel porn! Beautiful. Can get some serious rubber on the road with 7.5 width if there are still decent 14" tires available.

[JLPurcell]

I believe these were considered 7" and measures so tight inside to inside. They were the widest that you could run in SCCA CP class at the time. You can still put some great rubber on the ground with 14' wheels but you are talking DOT race tires for the best outcome. I have a original set of 14" American Racing Libres on my 72 and I am running a set of TOYO R888 DOT race tires. They do not fill the wheel wells but they do stick the car to the road and I don't mind the look.

Edited May 7, 2013 by JLPurcell

[gnosez]

Real Mag wheels are not something I would mount on any car that was driven or raced. Nice but dangerous.

[JLPurcell]

Dangerous, I must have been living dangerously! I raced on these for a few years and they were not only light they were bullet prof. Course slide offs across access roads etc.. bent parts but never a wheel. Just be sure and carry a class "D" extinguisher! If it makes you feel safer.

[gnosez]

Many race organizations don't allow them on the track these days. Plus you would want them magnafluxed to ensure there were no hidden cracks.

[JLPurcell]

Many race organizations don't allow them on the track these days. Plus you would want them magnafluxed to ensure there were no hidden cracks.

G, I was speaking tong in cheek "living dangerously". Being off the track so to speak for decades I am not in the know on what has caused the issue with the true mag wheels. Is it fracture or metallic fire questions?:paranoid: Back in the day these wheels were indestructible and they passed the magnaflux test with flying colors after media blast and pre-powder coat. I believe this speaks well overall to the material and use. But I am out of touch with the technical aspect and I still drink a big gulp now and again.

[26th-Z]

Very nice wheels, Jerry. I think you will find a lot of interest in them. I wonder what Gs Mr. Negativity is snorting up his nose.

From the Minilite web site: "The original Minilite wheel made in magnesium was probably the most successful motorsport wheel in the 1960's and 70's and in its classic form the design is still winning historic races and rallies today." "We continue to manufacture limited runs of original wheels in magnesium, primarily for racing purposes due to their high strength and low weight (33% lighter than aluminum). These are the ultimate competition wheel for racing and rallying where unsprung weight reduction is required without compromising strength and safety."

[JLPurcell]

Very nice wheels, Jerry. I think you will find a lot of interest in them. I wonder what Gs Mr. Negativity is snorting up his nose.

From the Minilite web site: "The original Minilite wheel made in magnesium was probably the most successful motorsport wheel in the 1960's and 70's and in its classic form the design is still winning historic races and rallies today." "We continue to manufacture limited runs of original wheels in magnesium, primarily for racing purposes due to their high strength and low weight (33% lighter than aluminum). These are the ultimate competition wheel for racing and rallying where unsprung weight reduction is required without compromising strength and safety."

Chris, thanks for the Minilite research you provided, you can always be counted on for getting the facts. As for the racing Minilites durability I don't know if you are familiar with IRP (Indianapolis Raceway Park), Probably best know for the National Drag Race held there annually on the long front straight away. IRP has a 2 2/1 mile road coarse with 15 turns. If I remember correctly turn 13 is the carousel with an access road leading to it on the outside. I once slid off there and went sideways into and across the access road believing that I had destroyed my wheels at the very least. The concentric bushing in the suspension were spun around effecting the camber but the wheels were not damaged what so ever. I believe this was a testament to their seemingly being indestructible. One of the things that I found interesting is that they, at the time, adjust the offset by making the center section thicker or thinner. The offset for the Z application make for a very thick center section. The lug nuts are super cool with what looks like a large bolt head with a thick washer and a long shaft to reach the lug bolts. I think they will look great in black zinc. I believe that someone wanting to put together a period correct CP replica will love these wheels and lug nuts. I also have a set of original Datsun Comp spings (lowers the car approximately 2”) and a set of Datsun Comp 1/4” drive pully's (water pump, crank shaft, and alternator) and one 1/4” belt to go with them. Les says that the problem with this original drive system is that you can no longer get replacement belts.

[HS30-H]

...... and a set of Datsun Comp 1/4” drive pully's (water pump, crank shaft, and alternator) and one 1/4” belt to go with them. Les says that the problem with this original drive system is that you can no longer get replacement belts.

Jerry,

If you want to sell the 3pc pulley set, I'd be very happy to buy them from you.

[JLPurcell]

Jerry,

If you want to sell the 3pc pulley set, I'd be very happy to buy them from you.

Alan, here are some photos of the set. I had planned to have the aluminum parts media blasted but have not gotten around to it. The belt is NOS I believe.