Author Topic: Minilites - where to buy???  (Read 9764 times)

Offline Ford.P51

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Minilites - where to buy???
« on: July 06, 2011 - 02:01:57 PM »
Where can you buy 15x8 Minilites these days? I've only found the original company in England in my searches.

While I'm at it, any suggestion on what brand of tires? Going for the vintage trans am look, minilites and white letter tires.

Thanks!
1969 Ford Mustang Mach1
1972 Challenger




Offline RTSE4ME

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2011 - 09:07:31 PM »
I  bought a set from here....

http://www.minilitewheels.us/

He should have 15x8s in stock.

Offline Ford.P51

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2011 - 08:35:31 AM »
Thanks for that! I found them last night along with a place making reproductions in Austrailia, no prices listed on the website though.

The Vintage Wheel Works v48s are available in 16s, but it seems like tire selection for 16 in wheels is pretty poor. I can't seem to find white letter tires anywhere in 15s either though. :(
1969 Ford Mustang Mach1
1972 Challenger

Offline Super Blue 72

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2011 - 08:37:07 AM »
Maybe someone else will know but I thought there was another company that makes repros of them and were cheaper than the actual mnilite wheels...  :dunno:
1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340, AT, Code TB3=Super Blue, SBD=8/17/1971.  Yes, a Rallye without the fender louvers from the factory because of the body side molding option.

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Offline HP2

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2011 - 10:10:59 AM »
If your sticking with 15" wheels, the current exchange rate means that Minilite Originals can be picked up for for around $1400 a set. That is around $350 a wheel and that price is built, shipped, taxed, duties, etc to your door pricing for the original wheel. Since these are all custom made, you can specificy specific backspacing requirements and receive a lightweight, custom made, d.o.t. capable lightweight racing wheel. The quote I got was actually a bit less than that for two 15x8 and two 15x10. These are a forged aluminum version of the original magnesium design. They do not plan on offering any 16 or 17 inch sizes.

Vintage Wheel Works does make 16" and 17" versions. Their going price is $350-400 a wheel with no shipping or taxes included. They do have standard backspacing, but custom spacing is available for an additional charge. These are a two piece design with forged hoop and a cast center. They do have the same 8 spoke design as the Minilite, but the spokes are straighter and the hub design has a lip. http://www.vintagewheelworks.com/products/wheels/v48

Team 3/ET Wheels also makes a copy, the LT-III. Like VWW, this is a two piece forged/cast design that is available in 15", 17" and 18" design from $355 to over $500 each. Again, with no shipping or taxes. This version has a more curved spoke design more like the original Minilite. These designs are a cast aluminum that is final machined to spec. They do offer polishing for that "bling" look. http://www.etwheels.com/ac/

There are some vendors on Ebay thay offer similar cast version for a pretty reasonable price of around $200 a wheel, sometimes less.

There also is Panasport, another one of the original designers of an 8 spoke wheel. All their versions are custom made. I've never bothered to contact them about options, but I'd imagine they can make whatever you want in what ever color, size, spacing, 1 piece or 3 piece design imagineable. http://www.panasport.com/

Offline EB3-GranCoupe

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2011 - 12:04:34 PM »
Quote
I  bought a set from here....

http://www.minilitewheels.us/

He should have 15x8s in stock.


yep, i got mine there when they first re-issued them. 

Offline EB3-GranCoupe

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2011 - 12:12:29 PM »
Quote
While I'm at it, any suggestion on what brand of tires? Going for the vintage trans am look, minilites and white letter tires.



BFGoodrich Radial T/A's are still out there in 235-60R15 & 275-50R15 sizes (both 26 inch diameter).

I think i might give these a try 26x8 and 26x10 - (they may not be raised white letters tho):
http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street.php?item=SportsmanSR

Offline grimmey71

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2011 - 01:18:41 PM »
I just got off the phone with the guy at

 http://www.etwheels.com/ac/

when the time comes(and soon I hope) I will be buying a set of 18x12's from him. These prices are cheaper than my stock srt4 wheels and a lot cheaper than a custom order from so many other brands.

Offline RTSE4ME

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2011 - 05:34:59 PM »

There also is Panasport, another one of the original designers of an 8 spoke wheel. All their versions are custom made. I've never bothered to contact them about options, but I'd imagine they can make whatever you want in what ever color, size, spacing, 1 piece or 3 piece design imagineable. http://www.panasport.com/


If you ever call Panasport  it would be an advantage  if you speak Japanese.

Offline HP2

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2011 - 01:33:16 PM »
BFGoodrich Radial T/A's are still out there in 235-60R15 & 275-50R15 sizes (both 26 inch diameter).

I think i might give these a try 26x8 and 26x10 - (they may not be raised white letters tho):
http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street.php?item=SportsmanSR


I wouldn't bet on 275/50 BFGs still being available. BFG has sold most their molds to Coker ans is basically out of the 15" business.

If you want a RWL tire, Mickey Thompson ST would be the better choice over the SR. The SR is a BSW, H speed rated tire with probably one of the more modern carcass designs out there.

Offline bordin34

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2011 - 09:59:13 AM »

1973 Charger SE Brougham Black 400 auto
1974 Charger SE Brougham Blue 318 auto-SOLD

Offline brads70

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2011 - 11:43:25 AM »
Mine are Austrailian superlites. I love them!  :2thumbs:
http://www.performancewheels.com.au/superlite.asp#
http://superlitewheels.com/superlite.asp
I bought them from member Boydsdodge . I could use another 15X7 for the spare tire.

15X8 on the rear

15X7 on the front

Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
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Offline Ford.P51

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2011 - 01:51:05 PM »
Thanks for all of the updates! I have been too busy to check these out, but I think I will tonight.

I didn't realize how hard it would be to find 15" tires!!!
1969 Ford Mustang Mach1
1972 Challenger

Offline Ford.P51

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2011 - 04:43:25 PM »
I take it back, tires are out there, I was narrowing my searches too much. Lots of choice to pick from ... :)
1969 Ford Mustang Mach1
1972 Challenger

Offline Ford.P51

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Re: Minilites - where to buy???
« Reply #14 on: July 20, 2011 - 01:54:30 PM »
Just wanted to say thanks again for everyone's help! I'm going to buy a set of 4 15x8 minilites from here:

http://www.minilitewheels.us/

I want to verify my backspacing needs before placing the order. Should be 4.5, but I want to be sure since I've added disc brakes both front and back. Haven't finalized tire sizes yet, but I think they will be 235-60R15 front and 265-60R15 rear. Maybe a 275 on the rear, gotta take some measurements.

Thanks again!
1969 Ford Mustang Mach1
1972 Challenger