Minilite question

[Carl Beck]

Hi Alan:

Thank you for filling in the complete story. From your information then, would it be safe to say that the collectors of things automotive should, or should not be, willing to pay a premium for "original" Minilites for their collections - vs what they are willing to pay for "real", "genuine" or "authentic" Minilites? To collectors the term "original" is meaningful and valuable in most cases.

Nonetheless it's an interesting story... Can you answer the questions- Did the original production facility produce only Magnesium wheels before the buyout, takeover or move. Do you know when production re-started... we could not buy Minilites here in the US after about 1973 for the longest time (three or four years). Hence the group buy of aluminum wheels for the 240-Z's was such a pleasent surprise in the 90's.

thanks,

Carl B.

[HS30-H]

Hi Carl,

Naturally, collectors and enthusiasts of 'period' parts will put a premium on the items that are perceived as the most desireable, and it is usually the market that sets the level for this. You and I both know that. I'm part of that world just as much as you yourself are. I sometimes find myself paying a higher price than I would like for those 'must have' items, and I certainly would not wish to sell anything that is rare or difficult to replace unless I could either trade it for something else I need or get a good price to enable me to buy something else I need or want badly enough.

In the case of Minilite wheels, it will be the most 'correct' and period-appropriate pertaining to the car in question that will be most in demand. A period-accessorised Escort Mexico, or indeed a 'Works' Type-49 shelled Escort Twin Cam would normally be seen as somewhat incomplete without a set or two of the 'correct' Mag Minilites. Therefore that kind of wheel ( in the correct size and condition ) can fetch a premium here in the UK.

However demand outstrips supply, and serious sporting use of old Magnesium wheels can be dangerous. Therefore a set of the more recently-manufactured versions in either Mag or Aluminium are usually seen as perfectly OK, as long as they 'look' right.

Of course, the older wheels are coveted by the serious collectors - but they are rarely used in anger. In many cases the new wheels are just as costly as the 'originals'.

Whether new or 'original', one thing is for sure; they are not much use to anybody sitting in a box at the back of the garage.:classic:

In answer to your questions, we come to the same impasse again; namely, what do you want to call the 'original production facility'? As I have stated, the original company ( founded by Mr Derek Woodton ) was called Tech Del. Ltd. - and their first wheels were the classic eight-spoke design called the "Minilite" which was made of Magnesium. Within a few years, an Aluminium version was also offered. So, the 'original' manufacturer did indeed offer both Mag and Ally versions of the Minilite wheel.

When you talk of a 'buyout' its hard to know what or when you mean. As previously mentioned, Tech Del. Ltd. went through many phases of making money and losing money, and restructured at least once before the 1960's had finished. What is for sure ( and this is the point that I think you want answered ) is that they offered both Mag and Aluminium versions of the same wheel at least by the early 1970's. The Aluminium version is not a recent addition to the range............

They are a small and quite friendly company ( unless you were to accuse them of being impostors! ) and are quite approachable. If you want the real nitty-gritty I suggest you call them and ask them in person. The contact details are in my previous post.

Alan T