Wire Wheels and Tire Sizes

Wire Wheels and Tire Sizes

Author
Discussion

LaidoutRivi63

Original Poster:

3 posts

106 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
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Hi Everyone,

i'm new here but have lurked on and off. I am currently engineering a completely new chassis and suspension package for my 1962 Grantura MKIIa and spotted the below TVR on the classic TVR pictures thread. I was curious is anyone here knows who owns the car or has information on the wheel and tire combination. I would like to keep the period look of the car but have some wider, more modern tires for performance reasons. If anyone could help I would be very appreciative.



Ian

RobMk2a

432 posts

138 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
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I understand the car is owned by Arnfield Weiss (Kraftfahrer on here - send him a pm) in Hamburg Germany. The car is a Mk3 with MGB engine and with modified bonnet.

Can I ask what do you intend to do to your Mk2's chassis and suspension.

I'm researching TVR Grantura racing can you please let me know your chassis number and any history (if known).

Regards

Rob

Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

156 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
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If you want to Maintain the Period Look then you need to stay with Period size tyres and wheels the option you would have to upgrade and maintain the period look would be fit the wider size that was fitted to the Griffith.
If you go for a period 205/70 15 as fitted to E Types or AC cars Bristols etc there are some good ones out there not cheap but achieve what you wanting to achieve I have the Blockley ones on my Tuscan very happy with them.

Once you start changing tyres to modern profiles IMOP it messes with everything and there is a knock on effect on ride height etc etc apart from the actual look.
Although when the wheel arches are filled as intended they just look right IMOP

Andrew


Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

156 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
quotequote all
Here is a picture of Don Ensleys car he has widened the arches though to make the wider tyres work however one of the few road cars I have seen where the change of tyres really look right




anonymous-user

61 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
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LaidoutRivi63 said:
Hi Everyone,

Looks like wider rear arches to me, very nicely done too

Sonus

294 posts

190 months

Thursday 7th January 2016
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My Vixen s1 has been running 205/60/15 wires on 6" wide wires



It now has 195/65/15 on the front and 205/65/15 on the rear on 8" rears and 7.5" Revolution RFXs




Looking at going back to wires with 7" wide rear rims shod with 195/65/15 and 6" front rims with 185/65/15





LaidoutRivi63

Original Poster:

3 posts

106 months

Friday 8th January 2016
quotequote all
Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies!

Rob, I will get you the chassis number (I assume the number tagged on the firewall?) when I get home this evening. The car appears to have been in a couple of wrecks. The driver's side rocker was full of body filler and poor repair (I was trying to find a date on the newspaper used as "structural filler" in the fiberglass but it was too deteriorated). The original running gear was an MG 1600 with a 4 speed with electronic overdrive. As far as the chassis and suspension goes I am designing an entirely new chassis and suspension system for the car. The early Granturas up to the MKIIa had a very poorly designed chassis in my opinion and the borrowed VW suspension is very hard to make predictable and is overall not a good basis for a performance car. My goal is to recreate the car mechanically as if TVR had the technology that we have today.

Andrew, I do agree that the period sized tires and wheels do look the most authentic but I am trying to find a good compromise of nostalgic looks and modern performance. I originally looked into having two sets of wheels and tire for the car - one set of originally sized wires and traditional tires, and one set of modern wheels and tires for racing and spirited driving - however, this becomes problematic when designing the suspension and uprights as the overall design becomes a compromise of the two scenarios. The above picture I posted is an example of the type of look I feel will be acceptable. Another factor is the cost, those older Dunlop nostalgic tires are expensive!

So far in my project I have removed the bonded body (A hellacious mess of a job!) and have 3D scanned the body and bonnet into CAD to aid in design. I also have scanned my motor and transmission combination as well. I have attached a screenshot of the raw scan data. I have weighed every major component thus far and found the CG of each. All of this will be taken into account in the design of both the suspension geometry and the overall stress analysis of the chassis. My target weight of the completed car is 1300lb.

Thanks,

Ian






Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

156 months

Friday 8th January 2016
quotequote all
LaidoutRivi63 said:
Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies!

Rob, I will get you the chassis number (I assume the number tagged on the firewall?) when I get home this evening. The car appears to have been in a couple of wrecks. The driver's side rocker was full of body filler and poor repair (I was trying to find a date on the newspaper used as "structural filler" in the fiberglass but it was too deteriorated). The original running gear was an MG 1600 with a 4 speed with electronic overdrive. As far as the chassis and suspension goes I am designing an entirely new chassis and suspension system for the car. The early Granturas up to the MKIIa had a very poorly designed chassis in my opinion and the borrowed VW suspension is very hard to make predictable and is overall not a good basis for a performance car. My goal is to recreate the car mechanically as if TVR had the technology that we have today.

Andrew, I do agree that the period sized tires and wheels do look the most authentic but I am trying to find a good compromise of nostalgic looks and modern performance. I originally looked into having two sets of wheels and tire for the car - one set of originally sized wires and traditional tires, and one set of modern wheels and tires for racing and spirited driving - however, this becomes problematic when designing the suspension and uprights as the overall design becomes a compromise of the two scenarios. The above picture I posted is an example of the type of look I feel will be acceptable. Another factor is the cost, those older Dunlop nostalgic tires are expensive!

So far in my project I have removed the bonded body (A hellacious mess of a job!) and have 3D scanned the body and bonnet into CAD to aid in design. I also have scanned my motor and transmission combination as well. I have attached a screenshot of the raw scan data. I have weighed every major component thus far and found the CG of each. All of this will be taken into account in the design of both the suspension geometry and the overall stress analysis of the chassis. My target weight of the completed car is 1300lb.

Thanks,

Ian

Probably opening a can of worms her but hey sorry cant help it.
If you don't want a Classic Car Ian why not build a Kit car rather than loose another Classic TVR.
Part of the charm of the cars is the way they drive good or bad that's the way they where.
It would give you just as much a challenge.
Or Buy a New TVR that's being built using todays technology
Andrew

Grantura MKI

817 posts

165 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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Hello Ian,
Please send me a PM when you get a chance.
Best,
D.

Thurner Fan

98 posts

162 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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Fascinating project Ian, forward to watching your progress with it.

It is probably only of passing interest in the context of your build but from your Instagram photos it looks as though the car has the later (Sept '63 onwards) rear end. Is there evidence of a rear end shunt at some point? You mentioned it looked as though the car had been through the wars.

TF

LaidoutRivi63

Original Poster:

3 posts

106 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
quotequote all
Thurner Fan said:
Fascinating project Ian, forward to watching your progress with it.

It is probably only of passing interest in the context of your build but from your Instagram photos it looks as though the car has the later (Sept '63 onwards) rear end. Is there evidence of a rear end shunt at some point? You mentioned it looked as though the car had been through the wars.

TF
The right-hand rear quarter appears to have been poorly reglassed to the inner structure, and the fiberglassigg around the left-hand side rear quarter and the steel structure at the rear door jam is missing. It also appears that the roof was removed at one time and reattached, albeit poorly. There is also a broom or axe handle glasses into the right rear fenderwell (where the nice body line is above the wheel opening). The underside region of the rear is also rather torn up. It's hard to tell of the rear end has been changed but it definitely has been in a few major accidents. I wouldn't be surprised considering all of these variables.

The chassis also had several fractures in it, mainly in the rear vertical tubes between the upper and lower torsion bar tubes, as well as significant rust in the outriggers and rear diagonal supports where the cracked fiberglass trapped moisture.

RobMk2a

432 posts

138 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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Whilst this is car to do with as you like, I agree with Andrew and believe 50 year old cars should now be restored. Replacement Mk2 / Mk3 chassis are available from Klaus Witzig, Chassisman (here) http://tvrclassics.weebly.com/chassis.html orNigel Reubens. With the recent growth in historic racing a correctly restored car will be worth more than a new / old special.

If you wish to create a silhouette a new body / chassis is available from those listed above. I hope Francesco doesn't mind but see a photo of a new Mk2 style chassis from Klaus Witzig.



Copyright Francesco Stevanin

You could rebuild the original car to create something like this

Copyright Old Factory Garage

As TF says your car appears to have a Mk3 rear, it may have some interesting period racing history. As said it is your car but I would be grateful if you could let me have the chassis number and any early ownership history for my records.

Regards

Rob

Edited by RobMk2a on Saturday 9th January 09:07

Moto

1,261 posts

260 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
quotequote all
RobMk2a said:
Whilst this is car to do with as you like, I agree with Andrew and believe 50 year old cars should now be restored. Replacement Mk2 / Mk3 chassis are available from Klaus Witzig, Chassisman (here) http://tvrclassics.weebly.com/chassis.html orNigel Reubens. With the recent growth in historic racing a correctly restored car will be worth more than a new / old special.

If you wish to create a silhouette a new body / chassis is available from those listed above. I hope Francesco doesn't mind but see a photo of a new Mk2 style chassis from Klaus Witzig.



Copyright Francesco Stevanin

You could rebuild the original car to create something like this

Copyright Old Factory Garage

As TF says your car appears to have a Mk3 rear, it may have some interesting period racing history. As said it is your car but I would be grateful if you could let me have the chassis number and any early ownership history for my records.

Regards

Rob

Edited by RobMk2a on Saturday 9th January 09:07
I don't disagree with the point that old cars should be restored. However surely taking an original road car, then stripping out the interior and modifying all sorts of components to suit track work is no different to modifying the artistic elements but keeping it as a road car.

There's no right or wrong here, just different perspectives. The most important bit is to keep the cars working and being used even if they are changed to suit a new purpose / owners taste.

Good luck Ian. I'm looking forward to updates on progress. I can't help you with the tyre /wheel info on Kraftfahrer's Grantura but it is a beautiful looking car and the wheel /tyre combination is perfect. He obviously has a great eye for detail.

Moto

Hullygully

85 posts

221 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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Actually there is a fairly simple case of 'right and wrong' here. Historic vehicles of this nature, often manufactured in small numbers (and hence precious because of their rarity), have a distinct and defined identity. They encapsulate the thoughts and work of generations now passed on. The commonly espoused point of view regarding any item of historic interest is that we hold these things in trust...that is to say we are custodians of the heritage, recognising the simple fact that our ownership is a small chapter in the existence of an historic artefact.
Being inspired by an older design and using it as a starting point for a new design is creative and admirable in many ways.
However, scrapping the chassis and suspension design of an historic car in the interests of building a personalised project is nothing short of egocentric vandalism.
If the old car isn't what you want, please pass it on to another custodian who will love it for what it is.


RobMk2a

432 posts

138 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
quotequote all




Photos from OP's Instagram to put my views in perspective.

Seems a shame to scrap the original chassis / suspension components and replace with a Honda Vtec and new modern chassis.

If the Grantura was say a Lotus Elite how would such a conversion be viewed.

Rob

Andrew Gray

4,969 posts

156 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
quotequote all
Thank you Mark and Rob for so eloquently putting the case for Preservation.
It time like this that we could do with something on Piston Heads that allows readers to like a reply without having to write something.
I hope the OP re thinks his plans for the great little car and your right if the car was a Lotus or many other marques there would be outcry.
Andrew

Dollyman1850

6,319 posts

257 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
quotequote all


Hello Ian..If you are still looking in at these posts that is!

You will find that the majority of TVR builders and enthusiasts choose to post elsewhere than this forum these days.

If you have a look on Facebook and search Adrian@ you will find a forum of like minded enthusiasts, builders and egocentric vandals who are much less likely to castigate you for merely asking a question about wheels and tyres.

I am sure we can also help you get in touch with Arnfried who will be I am sure happy to answer any questions you might have.

Your project looks very interesting and I am sure will bring you much satisfaction.

I certainly wish I could 3D Scan and model engineering solutions.

The above car runs on 8J x 15 wheels, Granturas have quite wide inner tubs and dependant upon your chassis solutions will run a 7 or 8 inch wide wheel with subtle mods quite comfortably
The wires are probably 6j and will look different / wider dependant on how they are laced and how many spokes are specified.. There are many types including Borrani's which really look nice
Anyhow hope to see you on the other side so to speak.

Cheers
Neil.


Edited by Dollyman1850 on Saturday 9th January 21:50

RobMk2a

432 posts

138 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
quotequote all
Neil,

I understand your view and agree a modern style Grantura would be fun in the same style as a Lotus Elise. However both your engine conversions retain TVR's chassis, so much so your V8 Vixen is allowed to compete in historic racing.

As said it is OP's car but if he can not be persuaded to preserve the car hopefully he could be persuaded to sell the redundant chassis components, differential, uprights to a member of the TVRCC NA so they can help restore another car. The Grantura may have some interesting history having Mk3 back end grafted on and also an interesting rack and pinion conversion. It is also right hand drive - Ex Sebring? We don't know.



I see the OP lives in California - wouldn't the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca be more fun than a hot rod project

.

I guess back in the day making a T44 Bugatti into a Stock Car was an 'exciting project'.

Rob

Moto

1,261 posts

260 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
quotequote all
RobMk2a said:
Neil,


.

I guess back in the day making a T44 Bugatti into a Stock Car was an 'exciting project'.

Rob
Seems like he's getting a lot more fun and enjoyment out of it than many of todays owners who buy one just to store in a private museum waiting for their investment to double in value wink


Dollyman1850

6,319 posts

257 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
quotequote all
RobMk2a said:
Neil,

I understand your view and agree a modern style Grantura would be fun in the same style as a Lotus Elise. However both your engine conversions retain TVR's chassis, so much so your V8 Vixen is allowed to compete in historic racing.

As said it is OP's car but if he can not be persuaded to preserve the car hopefully he could be persuaded to sell the redundant chassis components, differential, uprights to a member of the TVRCC NA so they can help restore another car. The Grantura may have some interesting history having Mk3 back end grafted on and also an interesting rack and pinion conversion. It is also right hand drive - Ex Sebring? We don't know.



I see the OP lives in California - wouldn't the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca be more fun than a hot rod project

.

I guess back in the day making a T44 Bugatti into a Stock Car was an 'exciting project'.

Rob
What view would that be Rob?
I cannot see any part of my previous post where I have expressed a view! I don't express views on this forum anymore. smile
N.