18 x 12 minilites

[lvrpool32]

Well as no one made them (outside of Superlite UK) I decided to get some made.
Bascially its a 17" center with a custom rolled aluminum filler strip that was welded to the hoop and machined flat, the OD was machined to be an interference fit on the 18" hoop. The 18 x 9.5 hoops where widened to 12". The centers where set for a 5" backspace and welded up. Now for some 345/35's
All the work was carried out by James at Weldcraft.

Nick

[Steve68]

Cool, minilites Look great on almost anything, classic that is,

[lvrpool32]

yeah deffinately a classis style car........

[opnwide]

Nice. James widened my 15X7 honeycombs by adding 2" to the inside. Its only a 15X9 now, but have you ever tried to buy big speed rated 15" tires? MT has a 26X12 and that's it. It should look awesome with my 26X10s up front.

I still reserve the right to put those 15X9s up front, and then build some 15X11s for the back, would require some spacers, however.

Yeah, I'm going sleeper....

[opnwide]

Nice. James widened my 15X7 honeycombs by adding 2" to the inside. Its only a 15X9 now, but have you ever tried to buy big speed rated 15" tires? MT has a 26X12 and that's it. It should look awesome with my 26X10s up front.

I still reserve the right to put those 15X9s up front, and then build some 15X11s for the back, would require some spacers, however.

Yeah, I'm going sleeper....

[JMarsa]

Nick,

Those are nice, I wish I new you were working on those, I would have stopped by to see them since they are 10 mins away. I've been there a few times to discuss options.

--JMarsa

[Motown 454]

Nice job on the wheels they look good

[BA.]

Those look great Nick. Good on ya.

[The Stickman]

What's it generally cost to have a set widened?

[buickfunnycar.com]

Looks awesome Nick,can't wait to see them on your car.:yum:

[BRIAN]

Kosman used to offer that service on motorcycle rims. By cutting the centers and adding the ring to the desired size.

Nice work!!

[lvrpool32]

They charge from about $175 a wheel to widen, depends on the diameter of the wheel.

I just have to decide if I want to powdercoat the centers or the whole wheel now....to finish the vintage look.

Nick

[Lowend]

I don't know why Mini-Lite style wheels are such a PITA to get. I only know of 2 companies that make them off the shelf to fit our cars, and they are spendy for what they are

[ALLFAITH]

Nick,

You need to post large pictures of your car and workmanship. It is a sick car.

You should also post pics of all the wheel combos you have had on it, if you can remember them all or that might get you in trouble with the Mrs. :)

Merry X-mas, buddy to you and yours.

Brad

[lvrpool32]

what do you mean?? I have only had one set of wheels on this car, just painted them different colors, honest dear :-)

I will post pictures of it next year, have been working on a car for the owner of Valbella in Greenwich (well known restaurant in the Westchester/Fairfield area...what is it with me and cars from restaurant owners..Mighty Joe Youngs, now Valbella).
That should be out of here this weekend, then trying to finsih the interior/cage in the vette...and I just bought a N2O kit for the Viper.

I am seriously considering starting an informal "car club" in Westchester, maybe bi-weekly, somewhere central, looking for the car guys that realise that brake upgrades are more than just painting your rear drums body color and that the pinnacle of tire technology are not F70-15 Wide Ovals.

Nick

[DriverzInc]

Word on the street is that Vintage Wheel Works (VWW) is finally going 18" with there wheels next year. I'm sure they will have what you are looking for.

[lvrpool32]

According to Eli at Vintage Wheel Works, it will only be certain models in the 18's, probably the torq thrust style wheel (v40 - v45) and not the v48.

Nick

[DriverzInc]

Can't deny it if there is a demand though. All of you guys wanting it, call a let them know. It will help.