Wheels

[marsh]

Hi everyone - welcome back to the forum, it's been much missed.

My Series 3 Coupe has returned from M+C Wilkinsons with a fresh capillary oil pressure gauge that now shows the correct pressure, a full mechanical checkover and the fitment of an AJ6 Super Sports exhaust that sounds like a V16 BRM at anything over 2500rpm.

It's currently with Alan Proctor for some rear bodywork and will be back home hopefully next week.

My thoughts have now turned to the wheels, which are currently the chrome pressed type as fitted to contmporary XJ's. They're letting the car down a little as the chrome is tarnished and I'm considering the following options, which I'd appreciate other forum members views:

1) Retain these wheels and just get them re-furbished
2) Seek out the non chrome version (fitted to the car from new)
3) Fit a period set of Minilites
4) Source some early Kent alloys as fitted to XJ Coupes and early XJs's

I really want to retain the correct early 70's period feel of the car - though I'm not quite ready to go for a nice big set of Carlos Fandango chromed Wolfraces!

Any views appreciated. Photo's of the finished car to follow

best wishes to all

Marsh

[JEP41]

Hi March,

I purchased a 1973 V12 roadster back in 1973 and had it delivered on Chrome Wire Wheels. I also run a MK 2 Jaguar today on a set of 6'X15 competion cross laced Chrome Wire Wheels and they do look spetacular when clean and polished. I would suggest go the extra mile replace the hubs with splines and fit wire wheels 8)

[Aldeburgh]

It has to be the right colour to wear wires well... but I think they look fabulous.

[1954Etype]

Hi everyone - welcome back to the forum, it's been much missed.

My Series 3 Coupe has returned from M+C Wilkinsons with a fresh capillary oil pressure gauge that now shows the correct pressure, a full mechanical checkover and the fitment of an AJ6 Super Sports exhaust that sounds like a V16 BRM at anything over 2500rpm.

It's currently with Alan Proctor for some rear bodywork and will be back home hopefully next week.

My thoughts have now turned to the wheels, which are currently the chrome pressed type as fitted to contmporary XJ's. They're letting the car down a little as the chrome is tarnished and I'm considering the following options, which I'd appreciate other forum members views:

1) Retain these wheels and just get them re-furbished
2) Seek out the non chrome version (fitted to the car from new)
3) Fit a period set of Minilites
4) Source some early Kent alloys as fitted to XJ Coupes and early XJs's

I really want to retain the correct early 70's period feel of the car - though I'm not quite ready to go for a nice big set of Carlos Fandango chromed Wolfraces!

Any views appreciated. Photo's of the finished car to follow

best wishes to all

Marsh

One option to consider is to get them chrome powder coated. I have seen some photos of this but not in the flesh. Never had any done but might be worthwhile googling it as an option.

[marsh]

Thanks all - some food for thought there.

The car is Azure, so it's very 70's.

I'm not sure about the wires as they work with some colours much better than others, as Aldeburgh correctly says. Silver looks fabulous, but not sure about mine...

I'll keep you posted and opinions are always welcome.

The wheelarches are being lead loaded as we speak and it's looking good - Mr Proctor really is a bodywork guru...

Can't wait to get it back and start making some noise!

Marsh

[vipergts]

As a nipper I loved the chrome wire look, probably cos that's what my Dad had on his.

Now that I'm old and grey I love the chrome pressed wheels.

Personally I think anything else would look wrong. Whilst my car was being painted they used old XJ Coupe alloys to keep it mobile and it looked nasty. All personal obviously.

[Heuer]

I think the thing that sells the steel wheels on the S3 is the tyres. Those narrow band white walls look stunning. I believe MWS are now offering narrow band white wall tyres (saw something about it in the E-Type magazine) in the correct S3 sizes - maybe worth investigating.

[marsh]

Hello Viper GTS

I too am old and grey and in truth the chrome wheels are my preferred option as I believe they suit my particular Series 3 best of all, plus they're original factory specification. Aldeburgh's car is stunning, but the colour of my car is much less forgiving...

I want to keep the car as outwardly standard as possible - my exhaust being the deviation from standard and it's not too noticeable (at least when the car isn't running). The pipes are relatively subtle and M+C did a great job of fitting the system.

Regarding the wheels, I'm aware of a specialist in the Midlands called RJ Spratley who are able to restore these wheels by splitting the wheel centre from the rim and they are allegedly the only company to restore these (and Rostyle) wheels properly, unless anyone out there knows different. I believe they charge around ?150 per wheel for the finished article.

Your Commemorative looks utterly stunning with the chromed pressed wheels. With the hard top in place, it's a genuine contender for the best looking E type, along with an S1 Coupe...


Marsh

[AussieEtype]

Grey painted steel wheels with basic XJ hubcaps were standard on series 3. However there was always the factory option of chrome steel wheels or chrome dunlop wire wheels.

Also I thought that when chrome steel wheels were ordered where was a different centre cap on the hub cap - it was a larger plastic e-type specific cap. See my car below.

These wheels were originally grey painted and I had them chromed - the centres were taken out of the wheels for this to be done.



Garry

[vipergts]

Garry I believe you are correct, I'm still saving for the black center caps

Car looks stunning by the way. Are you missing the black painted recesses on the wheels??

[AussieEtype]

Never got around to painting the scallops in the wheels black after chroming.

Garry

[marsh]

Thanks everyone for your input and opinions.

Having listened carefully to everyone's views, it's clear that factory OE is best, so I've secured a set of original steel painted wheels, which I'll have powder coated and put on the car. This means I can then get my current wheels re-chromed so I'll have two sets of original specification wheels - one standard and one optional.

Job done!

Marsh

[v12 man]

Hi lee you mentioned the 70's Wolfrace slotmags. This is how mine looked when I bought it.

They lasted the journey home and the time it took to get the garage door open, and grab the trolley Jack and the set of chrome steels which were waiting by the door.

I'm glad your sticking to what's already fitted, I also favour the large E-type centres on the chrome pressed wheels .

Cheers Matt

[marsh]

Hi Matt

You can't beat a set of Wolfies to evoke that genuine 70's look!

I picked up the wheels today and they're not too bad condition wise, but will need blasting and coating. I agree - they need some of the larger hub cap centres that were unique to the E type, but I'm not sure where to find any.

If any one has some, please pm me.

Picking up the car tomorrow from the body shop...

Lee

[marsh]

You know that feeling you get when sods law kicks into play?

I bought a great set of NOS chrome rimbellishers off ebay last week, which have taken pride of place on my car.

They were attached to a set of steel painted wheels which I'm having restored as a spare set when I find a suitable chromer in my local area.

They were very firmly attached to these wheels to such a degree that I nearly gave myself a hernia getting them off.

Sadly they seem unable to form such a long term attachment to my new wheels, despite checking and double checking their new friends before setting off this afternoon.

Within half a mile of home, one made a run for it and has so far evaded capture, despite me spending an hour and a half this evening lurking about in bushes where a man of my age and sexual persuasion should not be.

So, if anyone out there has one (or two) excellent chrome rimbellishers to fit a series three E type, I'd love to hear from you!

Marsh