Are these rims datsun rims, they are cool

[stock-z]

They look just like the Dukes of Hazzard rims on there charger. Are these original Datsun rims or an add on?

[2ManyZs]

They are definately after market wheels. Western wheels had them (Hurricane i think they called them) and I think 2 or 3 other companies made a similar wheel. I had a set like them but they were only 14x5.5 inch. I might still have them, I can't remember if I sold them or not.

[ZmeFly]

depending on who made them you would have 14x5.5, 14x6 and 7. i was looking at that car till i noticed the hole from the batter box sticking out.

[EScanlon]

I think they are Appliance's version of Shelby's Serpent Style.

Where the Serpent had ribs going all the way to the center cap, the Appliance's don't.

[stock-z]

I had a feeling these were aftermarket. They sure do look nice on there though. I think i spent too much time watching "the good ole boy's" burning rubber on dirt :) Did Nissan have any other rims available for the 70 to 73 Z other than the slotted mags, as far as cool rims?

[2ManyZs]

I don't think Nissan had any other wheels for the early cars, the slots were about the only ones I know about.

BTW, I still have my set that look just like the ones in the picture. They are 14x5.5 and were made by Western Wheel. They are an exact match to the wheels in the pic.

[EScanlon]

The original FACTORY Wheel was the stamped steel wheel that most of us have removed and replaced.

Many dealers had OPTIONAL wheels that were obtained from the same manufacturer and hence these have become known as "Original" wheels, with the mistaken assumption that they were Datsun/Nissan items.

Appliance, Cragar, Shelby and Superior are but a few of the aftermarket Wheel manufacturer's, that were very popular in the 70's. Their sales reps would contact the individual automotive dealers and make arrangements so that the wheels would be offered as Dealer Options. Due to the popularity of one or two of the wheel models available, whether because of actual popularity or because the price and markup to the dealer were attractive, THESE wheels have become known as "Original" wheels.

===Side Note=====
By the way, the term "RIM", if I recall properly, is in error. Rim refers to the split ring used on older truck wheels, where the rim was pulled out, then the tire could be put on and off the wheel body without having to stretch the tire around the rim of the wheel. This term nowdays, is used to refer to wheels that are assembled, i.e. center / rim and then either bolted or welded. Please correct me if you've heard different.

"MAG" on the other hand, is used to denote a limited number of wheels offered in the early seventies which were true blue Magnesium metal (or primarily Magnesium). These were supposed to be much better due to their added tensile strength over Aluminum, and their light weight when compared to steel. Sadly, a wheel with a lot of magnesium in it can be burned up (literally). Nowdays, it's used to refer to one piece wheels with either polished or chromed finish.

===End of Side Note=====

The most popular styles were:

Appliance's Models:

Dish Mag, this is the one famous as the Slotted Mag.

Wire Mag, this one is commonly referred to as the diamond / honeycomb / wire wheel mag. Very often seen with a painted / anodized honeycomb and chrome center and outer contours.

Steel Spoke, very very common for almost ANY car. Rarely seen on Z's nowdays, but nonetheless a very inexpensive wheel hence sometimes bought after having the car for a while. This one is the typical beefy rounded spoke with the lug nut wheel area being a circle behind the spokes. 4 spoke and 5 spoke designs depending on lug nut quantity.

Unichrome: This is a very common and inexpensive option of the time. It was basically a solid steel inner with a Wire Wheel Basket to make it look like a spoked wheel.

Shelby:

Serpent, as described in the previous posts. The ribs extend from the outer contour all the way to the center cap.

Cal 500; other than the depth of the "dish" another "Slotted Mag".

Viper Wheel, this one is also known as the "Libra Mag" which must be the name for another manufacturer's version.

Diamondback, this is another rendition of the Wire Mag (diamond / honeycomb / wire wheel mag). This one differs in that there is a "step" in the outer contour.


Cragar and Superior, were but two other manufacturers that I remember from the era. Undoubtedly there are many others I don't recall or know about.

For those of you interested, much of the information was obtained from Petersen's Complete Book of Datsun copyright 1975.

[2ManyZs]

I think the Libra wheel was made by American Racing. They brought the wheel back recently as the 200S. Some versions came with polished spokes and some had a rough cast spoke.

If I'm not mistaken Nissan never offered a factory (optional)aluminum wheel on a Z-car till the 77 or 78 model year, a lot of early 240's now wear either these or the later 280zx wheels.

[Ben]

That's not 'strictly' true....

The Z432-R came with factory lightweight magnesium-alloy wheels (and perspex windows, lighter panels etc).

You could also say that any wheel that was homologated by Nissan was a factory wheel, which would probably include RS-Wantanabe's of various sizes.

But as far as the 'standard' Z-Car is concerned, it was steel wheels until the 260Z in '74.

[2ManyZs]

Those of us in the US only wish we could have ordered a Z432-R no matter what wheels came on it.

[stock-z]

Thanks all for the wealth of info you have provided me about the wheels, rims, mags and any other slang i can throw at ya!:p
I do appreciate your knowledge, I know alot of you have probably spent more time than I ever will researching this stuff.
2ManyZs, I'm am currently looking for a Z to buy, and then options like other wheels after, as i can afford them. I will certainly keep them in mind if you want to sell them in the near future if they are still available at that time. If you wouldn't mind emailing me a price you had in mind as well that would be cool. What is the max. size tire those will take? Can you put a 65 series tire on them or just 70 series? Or can the 65 series even fit on a 240Z, I have no idea.
EScanlon, I'll probably pick that book it sounds like it's very informative. Thanks again all, i'm sure i'll have more questions to pester you with!
:)
Barry

[jdowen2]

Interesting reading. I have Shelby Libra wheels on mine. I also picked up a set of stock steel wheels and hubcaps for nostalgia's sake.

[EScanlon]

Glad it helped you.

The Petersen's book is my latest addition to my Z library, and I got it specifically to look at and address what accessories were available. Although not all-inclusive, it is by far the best listing of accessories I've seen to date. It may be that there is yet another book out there that will complement this one.

(Bonus Tid Bit: Did you know there was an outfit called F.A.R. Performance out of Mountain View California that produced a 2+2 seat kit for the regular 240? This was a fibreglass shell with a pair of seats built in to fit in the back area between the rear struts!)

Fast comment regarding the "actual" manufacturer of any one of the mags/rims/wheels I mentioned: I hope that no one misunderstand me to say that the ones I posted are THE companies that provided the style mentioned. I mentioned these because the book gave me names and manufacturers, I am sure there must be at least a half dozen more OTHER manufacturers with similar if not identical wheels that could be the "original" sources. Don't forget that this is a BIG country, and the manufacturer and hence the "name" to HAVE in Pennsylvania may have been totally obscure and unknown in Iowa, or Arizona or Washington.


Aside all this, if you have some of these older style wheels, or obtain them for your car, you might find that getting the replacement center hubs hard to get. Depending on the look you are looking for, you can get some from J.C.Whitney or find a good full line Tire Store in your area. Here in the Pacific North West Les Schwab is excellent for that. There I found 4 Universal Fit Center Caps. I also found 3 wing "knock off" style caps for the Center caps.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate a "Z" emblem for the caps. (MSA is NLA) If anyone has info on a nice set of Z emblems for the center caps please e-mail or message me.

[918/240Z]

Hope someone can help... I have a 71 240 with slotted "Dish Mags" mine have 4 screw holes in the face of the wheel for the center cap to be screwed into.. Any idea what brand they were so I can look for center caps? Also what kind of screw was used? size /thread? Does anyone know of a company selling spinners with towers that would srew "onto " the wheel..?
Oh yea.... lug nut length? 12mmx 1.25 but how long? thanks alot Dave

[Alfadog]

Originally posted by EScanlon


(Bonus Tid Bit: Did you know there was an outfit called F.A.R. Performance out of Mountain View California that produced a 2+2 seat kit for the regular 240? This was a fibreglass shell with a pair of seats built in to fit in the back area between the rear struts!)


What the? If you've ever tried to squeeze somebody over 10 years old into the back of a Z, you'll know that it's not comfortable - and thats without some fibreglass crap on it.......

That accessory would be shee-it methinks ;)

[Zvoiture]

Are the 'hurricane' wheels in the original pic also known as 'turbine'? GAWD, they are everywhere...I have an extra set, a friend of mine has several sets, down the road there are 8 or 9 parts cars and at least half of them have them...

steve77

[Skybird]

I have been following the threads and getting a good education on 240 rims. My 71 Z has aluminum rims that I am told by my tire store are not hub centric which is the source of some front end shimmy. Two things; Anyone know about hub centric issues and how you fix it? I was told ther are hub centric rings that may be fitted OR replace the tires with ones designed to fit the hub. Also, where can I find original/replica steel rims and hub caps for the 71 Z? That may be my best option.

[sblake01]

Do those rims have the offset washers that fit over the studs? If so, I had the same problem on another car (non-Datsun) that I once owned and changing to rims with a standard bolt pattern cured it. I wouldn't suggest hub centric adapters or anything like that. Change the wheels. Also, you probably wouldn't care too much for the price of a set of 71 hubcaps.

[Arne]

I have been following the threads and getting a good education on 240 rims. My 71 Z has aluminum rims that I am told by my tire store are not hub centric which is the source of some front end shimmy. Two things; Anyone know about hub centric issues and how you fix it? I was told ther are hub centric rings that may be fitted OR replace the tires with ones designed to fit the hub. Also, where can I find original/replica steel rims and hub caps for the 71 Z? That may be my best option.Find yourself a different tire shop - one that knows what they are talking about. The 240Z chassis (all S30s and S130s, actually) do not use hub-centering rims. Not even the factory rims hub-center. In fact, the hubs lack the raised centering boss that a hub-centering rim would seat upon. So for your car, the hub-centering explanation is garbage. Your shimmy is caused by something else.

The most likely causes are multi-fit rims (as Stephen mentioned above), poorly balanced rim/tire assembly, or an out-of-round issue of either a tire or rim. A 240Z is very sensitive to shimmy from these causes, it takes very little to cause a slight shimmy.

[DeesZ]

There is a selection of wheels available at this site including descriptions, etc. It is at least informative.http://www.zparts.com/ads/wheels/wheels_fs.html

Back in the day, when I sold aftermarket, the hot wheels at my store were AR Libre and Western Cyclone. I wish I could find some Libre wheels today (I've got about 5 or 6 Cyclones sitting around that I'll probably polish and put on the '72.

For the shimmy, take Arne's advice. You could try rotating the wheels in an "X" pattern to see if it changes the shimmy/vibration.... that may help track down the origin of the problem.

[Skybird]

Thanks all. Great advice. I will start with balancing and rotating the tires and go from there. The hub centric issue just did't make sense to me, (why I asked). It is a four bolt rim with tapered lugs that should center the rims on the hub as you tighten. Also, reading other threads by y'all, it sounds like reverting back to the original rims and tire specs will not provided the performance of the after market solutions. I don't want to spend a lot of money to go backwards! Thanks again,