Calling old timers: can you tell me about these?

[ConVerTT]

These wheels were on my 72 when I bought it.  I figured they were just cheap knockoffs and I didn’t pay any attention at all until this morning when I moved them.  They are very light and are some kind of alloy (non-magnetic), which seemed odd given their (apparent) age.

 

These are the only markings:  it looks like “14x65 MAX WHEEL LOAD 1580 CSI “ and a serial number or date maybe “ 6 23 80 1”

 

They weigh in at 30.8 lbs with the rotted old 165/65r14 eagle tire still on, so I figure the wheel must be in the 13 to 15 lb range?

The 

Can anyone fill in the details for me?  Are these anything unusual? Or nothing special?

Thanks

[Persimmon240]

They look very much like Minilites to me - but I defer to somebody with "wheel" knowledge of the subject.

I was going to say knockoffs, (but they have lugs) - in this case the better term would probably be "replicas".

Edited April 23, 2019 by Persimmon240

[ConVerTT]

Well.. whatever they are, someone felt that they were worth copying.   One of them is a forgery ...A good forgery, but a forgery nonetheless.  Here are the details.

1) Font 

3 wheels have this font and are stamped “CSI”  

The 4th wheel has this fatter, less precise font and no “CSI” stamp

2) Date stamp

Three wheels are date stamped.  The forgery is not.

3) casting

Three look like this ...

And one looks like ...  (ridged area in the circle)

 

And three ...

and one ...

Hmmm...the plot thickens ...

 

[Persimmon240]

Let's assume that the odd one is perhaps a replacement. So you figure CSI stands for Crime Scene Investigation(!) - or Carroll Shelby Incorporated  (nah, he never used an acronym on the wheels he produced).

This is just for your edification... try putting a drop of vinegar on an unpainted spot on each wheel. If the vinegar stays clear then they are aluminum - if it turns dark, then the wheel is magnesium.

There were (and still are) a lot of "reproductions" of the original Minilite style. Look at the current Panasport wheels for example.

[ConVerTT]

40 minutes ago, Persimmon240 said:

 

This is just for your edification... try putting a drop of vinegar on an unpainted spot on each wheel. If the vinegar stays clear then they are aluminum - if it turns dark, then the wheel is magnesium.

 

Thanks for shortening my evenings homework ?

[psdenno]

Always remember, Google is your friend.  Do a google search for "CSI Panasport Wheels" and see the many pictures.

Dennis, An Old timer

[Carl Beck]

You usually find Date of Manufacture stamped on Magnesium wheels - not so normal on aluminum.

The vinegar has to be on the metal - not on any sealed or painted surface. Many magnesium wheels are sealed and painted...

[ConVerTT]

26 minutes ago, Carl Beck said:

You usually find Date of Manufacture stamped on Magnesium wheels - not so normal on aluminum.

The vinegar has to be on the metal - not on any sealed or painted surface. Many magnesium wheels are sealed and painted...

Thank you!  Science project tomorrow ?

[ConVerTT]

It looks like they are Carroll Shelby Mini-Europas (“fake” mini lites)....

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=79552

Still not sure if they are Al or Mg though ...so the science project is still on ?

Edited April 24, 2019 by ConVerTT
Add

[240260280]

Blue came with similar... and high-water off-road suspension lol @Carl Beck  :

Edited April 24, 2019 by 240260280

[gundee]

This is a photo of my 14" Minilites made in the early 70's. Yours are different. Minilite has these markings on the front side.