There is a UK wheel company called Minilite that makes wheels, this style started in the either the late '50s or early to mid '60s. But like many other popular sytles there are several companies that make clone "minilite" style wheels! Like Panasport for example!

I think the number of spokes on a minilite may be different depending on the diameter of the wheel! For example the 10" diameter wheel for an Austin Mini Cooper might have less spokes than the 15" diameter wheel for a Jaguar.

Also, if it is not on the front of the rim the name of the company is probably cast in the back of the wheel. Take one off and have a look!

Happy Holidays!

All of the original Minilite wheels that I've seen had 8 spokes.

Back in the day (late 70's - early 80's) a Small Wheel Store chain in No. California made some wheels that were similar to the real deal Minilites and called the "Europa's" I had a set of these Europa's on my 1973 (long gone now):disappoin and the wheel pictured in the original post looks exactly like the wheels that I owned.

Just an observation, other companies may have ripped off the Minilite design as well. The Minilites were quite difficlut to get here and the demand was there to be supplied by anyone with similar looking wheels.:classic:

I'd like to say they look like oldschool Watanabe rims.

Can't really tell. Who puts the wheel weight in the outside of the rim anyway? I always thought they where on the inside?

Brian:alien:

BLOODY UGLY WHEELS MATE WHATS THE LOCK NUTS FOR???

SORRY COULD NOT RESIST ROFL :cheeky: :cheeky:

Definately not minilites. Minilites also has name on outside of wheel.

I have a set of these rims and the center caps say Shelby Racing.

I dunno if there genuine minilites or not but they were a bit thing in the 60-70's etc..

I'd go with saying they are minilites they look old enough.

Superlites George are what yours had just like my car.

http://www.superlite-wheels.com/

here is a link to mine

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2263&password=&sort=7&thecat=500

they are not minilite wheels, some american copies I guess.

this have minilite wheels

I don't know exactly what they are, but I think it would be safe to say that they are Minilite's or Minilite style wheels. You can scratch Watanabe off your list. Good luck.

-Ben

Good luck to the buyer:love:

Enkei made a clone a long time ago I see on like ebay and such and I believe western did a simliar style wheel , good luck but like someone else pointed out it should be stamped somewhere:geek:

I believe that origional (read old) Minilites were all magnesium. Panasport made very good copies (under liscence?) in aluminum.

Minilite may now use aluminum as standard with magnesium being "available".

One way to tell magnesium from aluminum is that "mag" is very pourous (air is lighter than even magnesium) with many fine closely spaced air pockets. This is more noticeable on machined surfaces where it can't be confused with casting texture.

Another way to spot "mag" is that real mag wheels must be painted (clear, or color) to seal the wheel to prevent air from escaping the tire. This may be done on inside, and/or outside.

I have "mag" wheels on my car and they are extremely light. With 12" wide race slicks my 14"x7" Sterling mags weigh approximately 18 lbs.