David asked:
Just send my 76 Spitfire to the body shop for new paint. I am
contemplating getting some new wheels. Any thoughts/comments
on going to wire or alloy and should I just stay with the stock steel
wheels? I do not drive particularly hard but do injoy good handling.
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Dave -
IMHO, real knock off wires (painted not chrome) look really terrific on
Spits, but my Gawd are they expensive. You can buy a set of bolt on
adapters and the wheels from VB for about $1,050 for the entire sheebang
(chrome is about $300 more), or you can buy bolt on chrome wires for about
two thirds the cost.
There are some nice "period style" alloys available that are lighter than
steel, look better and don't cost too much relative to wires. I seriously
considered "Minilite" replicas at about $135 apiece when I restored my Spit
but decided to go with wires instead (ouch!). The lighter unsprung weight
of alloys may slightly improve your handling, but don't expect a real
noticeable improvement simply by changing to alloys alone. It's your
choice, but IMHO, go with a nice set of alloys and slightly wider tires that
fill out the wheel wells a little more. Regards,
Ross D. Vincenti
64 Spitfire 4
64 Porsche 356C Coupe
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