In a message dated 98-11-30 08:43:47 EST, you write:
>In fact, I'm getting cold feet on the wire wheels. I was talking with a
>friend over the weekend and he pointed out that I could get four panasports
>for only ~$200 more than I can get these wires/hubs and those are new
>wheels that won't need trueing, shotblasting, painting, etc. etc., and if I
>do say so myself, I think this TVR will look FANTASTIC with panasports
>(what doesn't look good with panasports, really?)!!
>
>So, its looking like I'll be keeping my powder dry for a while here.
>
>cheers,
>Will (who may be over his lust for a europa, at least temporarilly)
>
>
Yeah the Panasports look waay kewl and my choice would be in their favor,
however, as I said regarding the wires...most wheels cast, stamped, or
assembled for our cars, have been designed for other vehicles (Mostly the TR
range.) The big problem you will find is that when you buy a set of wheels for
your car, you will usually get TR style wheels. While these wheels appear the
same, they are not. The offset for a TR is very different than for a TVR. I do
not have the specs in my head, but I could go measure a coupla wheels and get
"scientific", but the reality is that the TR wheels when bolted to a TVR will
give about 1" to 1.5" narrower track per side (in other words they will be
further in toward the centerline of the car, reducing track, handeling and
looks.) The stock TVR wheels give a larger offset than any other TR wheel. I
have seen Panasports and Minilites made specifically for TVR's but in reality
what you get is a TR wheel with a cast in backside spacer. This is not really
a problem with street cars (or even most racer types) except that you end up
with a heavier wheel than one with the proper offset cast in from the
beginning and it costs more.
To utilize the TR wheels on a yourTVR, you should make up some "serious"
spacers and use longer wheel nuts. On one of my cars I run TR American Racing
Silverstone wheels with 1.25" spacers and extra long Corvette wheel lug nuts.
The lug nuts are available in most any speed shop, just make sure they do not
bottom out before the wheel is tight.
Nothing is ever as easy as it seems...
Nick in Nor Cal
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