Borrani wires...

[Cliff Beer]

Just wondering if anyone might know what might be involved with trying to convert to Borrani type wires from the standard five pin hub arrangement common on many gt40s? Would one have to find an original gt40 splined hub? Or, is there something that can be adapted?

In going for an early original look I'm guessing that Borannis in about the same configuration as a 250gto might be about right but I have no idea about offsets and rim dimensions...any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Jack Houpe]

I think the MKI looks great in Boranni's my friends think I am crazy, I would be interested what you find out.

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Most all replicas have the pin-drive setup and no splines. Even the Safir cars did not have splines (as we found out when the owner bought the Borranis off 1056 to put on P1116).

You could have a new set of hubs made up with the splines, but it will not be cheap!

I quite agree, a MK Ia with Borranis is SWEET!!!!!

 

[Gregg]

Cliff, If you really wanted wires, I would look int adapting early Jaguar E type suspension components. I think Dayton?? makes wires and might be able to help with the wheels. Not sure as it has been a long time. Good luck.

 

[Randy V]

I'm willing to bet that you can find everything you need right here;

Dayton Wire Wheels Accesories

I agree that the wires look great on the MK1... I was tempted to go that route but I decided to stay with the whels I have due to their strength. I plan on tracking my car periodically..

 

The only person I know that has a set of original wire wheels, is Fran Kress. They came off #1054. I doubt if they are for sale though. Fran Kress might know where you might find some original hubs or give Jay Cushman a call.

 

[WEGENER Engineering]

I do not think that there is anything out there that is available right off the shelf, but many British cars actually used splined adapters that bolted to the rear end flange just like a Trigo or Vintage wheel 5-pin adapter does today. If you can find the company that makes the splined adapters they could drill the bolt holes in your existing Trigo pattern.
The splined "Rudge" wire wheel system wears in the splines (Duh) and buying used parts here would not get you ahead. You can buy new alloy rims and stainless spokes to put on your new Rudge hubs. The beauty of wire wheels is that a capable wheelsmith can set the offset as needed. My friend Dave does this every day and the whole assemblies would not be too expensive - although a lot more than a set of 5-pin replacement solid alloy wheels.
I do not know if Dayton makes Rudge type wheels and adapters. Their claim to fame has always been the patented "Dayton" adapter that is great for a cruiser but would worry me on a high performance car. Instead of splines on the hub the Dayton system uses a sprocket looking device at the flange to transfer the power. Lots of room for wear.
Incidentally many Ferrari wheels are 14". Especially some of the best looking ones with the deep offset. I would look on ebay and search auctions for "Borrani" and "dayton" as those pictures will show all the details. Luckily new alloy Borrani type rims are available in all sizes.
If you want to I can put you in touch with Dave. He does Ferrari Borranis all the time for the Vintage race crowd and knows exactly what is needed to do this conversion.
Mike

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

The wheels are here...

http://www.borrani.eu/public/Ruote_Borrani_classical_product_list.pdf

They list 6.5 and 9.0 for the GT40. Perhaps you could make the splined hub bolt onto the threaded holes for the drive pins. I know some types of cars will require complete new hubs to be machined, a rather involved costly process!

Love the Borani three eared "swept" knock-offs.

 

[WEGENER Engineering]

Rick - that is a very interesting link. The Borrani people list a complete kit for either Chevrolet Camaro (5 bolts on a 4.75" bolt circle) or Ford Mustang ( 5 bolts on a 4.5" bolt circle). Since the regular Trigo or Vintage wheels 5 pin adapters are just bolted in pace of steel wheels with either one of those bolt circles it means that the neccessary splined hubs for the conversion are readily available from Borrani. Looks like easy one stop shopping except for the Euro 6000 price tag
Also size wise I wonder whether the original wire wheels were actually the sizes stated. All the cars I have seen with original wires seemed to be rather narrow tired in the style of the period with lots of body overhang. I kinda like that look.
Mike

 

[Jac Mac]

Ronnie Spain- GT40.
Prototypes ; 6.5 x 15 Front, 8.0 x 15 Rear.
Mk 3 Road Car; 6.5 x 15 Front, 8.5 x 15 Rear.

 

[Cliff Beer]

Thank you gents, very helpful information, much appreciated.

Gregg - thanks, I'll give Dayton a call and gather their input. I'm thinking the Dayton route is going to be a heck of a lot less expensive than via Boranni (it's all relative!) and the Dayton configuration may be acceptable as the car won't be tracked.

Mike, thanks, sending you a pm for Dave's contact information, love to talk with him.

Rick, great info - surprising that Boranni quotes a price for a GT40. Kind of hard to follow their pricing/app chart but I'm guessing a set of four is going to be around 6,000 euros (ouch). Have really, really like the look of the wires.

Jac Mac, was thinking I could perhaps squeeze 7.5s and 9.0s under the fenders with some 215s and 265s. I realize this would be wider than the origninal, but I think it would look pretty darn nice.....

Thank you again gents. I'll do some calling and checking and report back what I find out.