TR 2100 Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 (edited) There is a thread on the TR2/3/3A Forum exchanging comments on 48 spoke and 60 spoke wire wheels. http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=21541 This has deviated a little into when these option were available but as this post relates to TR4s, I’ll start this new thread on this Forum. There is no actual date that I am aware of either for the changeover on TR4's to 60 spoke wires where ordered, but a 1962 car that I know well has original, but now chromed, 48 spokes. Perhaps it's not relevant, but all TR3B's made to 1962 had 48 spokes, where specified. John McIver's 3B has aftermarket Dayton chromed 60 spokes. Hi Viv, I had always assumed that 60-spoke wheels were an option for the TR3A at least, but that was based on 60-spoke wheels being listed in the Parts Book. I think that may be a hasty conclusion – I realise now that the Parts Book is not quite ‘gospel’ and in some instances may be retrospective. For TR4s, I have found a US Service Bulletin note dated August 21, 1962, giving a suggested price structure for 60 spoke wires. The old software I use doesn't allow me to post images, so I'll have to type the content : >> SUGGESTED PRICE STRUCTURE TR-4 AND TR-3B OPTIONAL EXTRAS 60 SPOKE WIRE WHEELS >> It is planned to replace the 48 spoke wire wheel option with a 60 spoke wire >> wheel option. This change will take place approximately September 1, 1962. >> Some cars are coming through at the present time with the 60 spoke wire wheel >> option. >> The following is the suggested price structure on the 60 spoke wire wheel option : >> Dealer Net $97.00 Dealer Markup $23.00 Retail $120.00 On the subject of TR4 wheels (I will have to start a new thread on the TR4 pages), there is an interesting reference to silver aluminum and spa white paint for TR4 wheels : >> SPA WHITE PAINTED WHEELS - Dated December 29, 1962 >> Owing to reasons beyond their control, we have been advised by the factory in >> England that, with effect early March 1963, all models in the range will have >> their road wheels painted in Spa White color in place of the silver aluminum >> color at present in use. >> >> This change will considerably enhance the appearance of our products and certainly >> this can be used as an additional selling point. >> >> There will be no additional charge for this improvement. There is another Service Bulletin reminding mechanics that the length of the wheel studs needs to be reduced when converting to wire wheels. No comment. AlanR Edited November 26, 2009 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 On the subject of TR4 wheels (I will have to start a new thread on the TR4 pages), there is an interesting reference to silver aluminum and spa white paint for TR4 wheels : >> SPA WHITE PAINTED WHEELS - Dated December 29, 1962 >> Owing to reasons beyond their control, we have been advised by the factory in >> England that, with effect early March 1963, all models in the range will have >> their road wheels painted in Spa White color in place of the silver aluminum >> color at present in use. >> >> This change will considerably enhance the appearance of our products and certainly >> this can be used as an additional selling point. >> >> There will be no additional charge for this improvement. AlanR Knowing what the factory was like they probably ran out of siver paint, couldnt afford to buy any more but found they had a shed load of Spa white left over Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted November 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 Knowing what the factory was like they probably ran out of siver paint, couldnt afford to buy any more but found they had a shed load of Spa white left over Or maybe they were teaching apprentices to spray and reckoned if they could spray a wheel, they could spray a car. The most unbelievable explanation would probably be nearest to the truth. Interesting little snippets of information, though. They seem to confirm that there was no exact change-over point for 48 to 60 spoke wires, and was probably different for the UK and the USA (like wood dashboards), the change in wheel cover. Another snippet is the change from British Racing Green to Triumph Racing Green, described as "only one shade different", from February 1963. AlanR AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 . Another snippet is the change from British Racing Green to Triumph Racing Green, described as "only one shade different", from February 1963. AlanR AlanR And we all know how hard it is to find an exact shade of that colour for a match Stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted November 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 (edited) And we all know how hard it is to find an exact shade of that colour for a match Stuart Stuart, I have some Rinshed-Mason and Dupont formulas for Triumph Racing Green but I can't post it. I don't know if these are any help but if you PM me with your email, I'll forward you a copy (and maybe you can add it it to the thread). A bit more digging and there's a good chance I can find something on the previous shade - British Racing Green. AlanR Edited November 26, 2009 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 Alan PM sent Stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 Thanks to Alan (TR2100) for sending me the attached formulas for Racing green and some others. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnymc Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 Hi all, so in summary, September 1962 change 48 to 60 spoke wires. March 1963 change silver/alli to white steel rims. Does anyone know dates change to 72 spoke wires, and did the steel colour change again? Many thanks Johnymc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted August 5, 2015 Report Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) 72 spoke never fitted to Cars as original equipment. Stuart. Edited August 5, 2015 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbug Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Thought mine (TR4A) were 72 spokes - I'll have to go and count them now Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted September 1, 2015 Report Share Posted September 1, 2015 Your TR4A didn't have 72-spoke wires as OE . . . . . . but many a 4A has been fitted with the larger wheels over the past few decades ! Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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