Black minilites - any pics out there?

Am about to replace my original rusty steel wheels - I suspect the cost of refurbishing them will be similar to buying some shiny new wheels.

I have fitted the Spyder RSC so could go for their larger Minilites. I quite like the idea of keeping the wheels black - my Sprint is Lagoon Blue and the original black wheels look good with this colour [or they did before they were rusty!]. I don’t think Minilite themselves do a suitable black wheel. I think black Panasports are available in the States but they do not seem to be for sale in the UK.

Has anyone gone down the black Minilite route and if so any pics?

Thanks

Richard


Black Minilite’s ,not suitable enough !?!
Christian.

Hi Guys,
I like those Christian.Where to buy and roughly how much?

     Richard why are you not having your original wheels refurbished/repaired then blasted and powdercoated in a nice satin black? You would then have the option of originals for that nice show touch, or general day to day running using those nice minilites.That's what I'm fancying doing.... :unamused: 

Don’t just ditch your original wheels.
Alex B…

Buy Minilite’s at Minilite UK only.
They’re still able to produce KO wheels , 5" 5.5" & 6" X13 . 2 offsets available .
On special order , choose color and get the rim machined .
minilitewheels.com/applicati … make=LOTUS
Christian.

Richard,

Talk to Russ at Mnilite.

The colour is anthracite (not black) and they look particularly good on the +2.

I don’t think they look good on the Elan.

Gold looks particularly good on the Elan.

Personal opinions, of course.

Christian and Brian - thanks for the info on the minilites. The anthracite with polished rim was just the sort of “look” I was thinking about. Could do with one of those software programmes that they have on some of the new car websites where you can swap colours and wheels on a virtual image to see how things look! Personally I think this colour will mimic the original look rather well.

Alex - fret not, the original wheels will not be heading for the skip! I will tuck them away somewhere and perhaps refurb in the future. I have the original chrome trims in my attic.

Then there is the question of size of Minilite and tyre choice - there have been a few recent informative threads.

You will see from the time of this post that I have woken early so will be slipping out soon for an early start on the Elan (I see Brian was up after midnight thinking about Elans!).

Richard

Richard,

I went for 14x5.5 with the maxmum offset of 115mm. I went for the 14" wheels to eliminate the need to chop bits off the rear wishbone - and a friend has 14" on his Sprint and they look much better than the usual 13" wheels.
Russ at Minilite offered me a set of 14x6 anthracite wheels at a good price but the exrta 1/2" could not be accomodated even with the smaller rear springs.

When I said that gold wheels look good - It’s a gold steel wheeled red/white Sprint at the local CL meet I was thinking about. The only gold Minilites I’ve seen have been on +2s.

Here is a magnesium minilite, done in black to simulate Dow9 chromate , have also included a panasport treated with same finish ( done by performance coatings)


I do like the Panasports - but I as i mentioned I do not think there is a supplier in the UK [unless anyone knows otherwise].

Thanks for your comments Brian - I believe the 6" wheels will fit with the Spyder RSC but will check with the guys at Spyder first.

Richard

Hi Richard,

I have just brought some Minilites in anthracite with polished rim, I’ll take a pic if necessary so you can compare to Christian’s in black

Cheers
Steve

Hate to go off topic here but Brian, what size tires are you running? Have any good side or 3/4 angle shots of you or your friends car?
Thanks,

Greg Z

Steve - would be interested in a further pic - especially if on the car.

Richard

For “on the car” pictures , please visit ;
club-lotus.fr/index.php?id=1013
Christian.

Black 5 x 13 Minilites with Michelin XAS 155 on a Lagoon Blue Sprint. :slight_smile: I decided to go without a polished rim. The look of the wheel embellisher belongs to the steel wheels, not the Minilites. At least in my opinion… :wink:
Sorry for the bad quality pic. :unamused:

Tnanks for the further pics - I do like the look of Cristian’s wheels - very helpful.

Richard

Hi, photos of Minilites in anthracite - I wish they were on the car as well!

Regards
Steve


FWIW my Elan is Lagoon Blue with silver Mimilites.

I don’t suppose you have your car completely blue like mine, black would be too dark for me. Just my two pence worth.

No - mine is lagoon blue over white - I agree that all black may be too dark but the polished rim should give a contrast similar to the original look.

Decisions, decisions!

Richard

Hi All, Richard,
I think you are on the right track with the choice wheels, colour etc. I was about to start doing the homework to get prices/size/tyre choice etc. Would you mind letting me (us!) in on info’ when you have it to hand? I would be happy to ‘team up’ with you to buy 2 sets at the same time. We might get a better price on both wheels and tyres.

              Fellow club member (CL) has a set of (Pattern) original style wheels for sale up here. If you are interested PM me. I think the Minilites best choice though... Got to admit!   They look great in the various pics (thanks guys).

Alex B… :sunglasses:

I wouldn’t mind a set of polished rims in anthracite either, so if you get a price, see how much for 3 sets!