Twan,
I don't have wire wheel experience specifically
with the Marcos, but I am familiar with them on the more common British
sports cars. What does your bolt circle measure? My '69 Marcos has a Ford
Cortina rear axle that the factory (Marcos) redrilled to the 3.75" to match the
Triumph front hubs that were used at that time. My rear axle also has the
original Ford pattern which may be 4", but I have never checked.
Either way, Triumph used bolt-on wire wheel splined
adapters on its various cars, sometimes on the rear only, other times both front
and rear. The GT6 that optioned wire wheels has 3.75" bolt-on adapters that
will bolt onto the Marcos. I have a set of these for my car. The TR6 and
Stag used bolt-on adapters for I believe a 4" pattern, and BN1 Austin
Healeys also used a four-lug bolt-on adapter. Sorry, but I can't confirm the
bolt circle because both my Healey and Triumph are up in North Carolina and
I am in Florida. The bolt circle should be easy to confirm as its the same
as an MGB (the latest LE B's used the Stag 5-spoke
alloys).
Wire wheels ranging in diameter from 13" to 15"
will fit the above mentioned adapters depending on the aspect ratio of the tire
selected. I assume the 13" size is what Marcos used, probably from the GT6, MG
Midget, Sunbeam Alpine,or Spitfire. I think the GT6 wheels are 5"
wide and the MG/Spit wheels are 4" wide wheels. I don't know
the width of the Sunbeam wheels. I am using a set of 14" by 5 1/2" Stag
wires on a Bugeye with a 60 series tire. This setup should mount right onto my
Marcos, which I will probably try in the near future. You will still have to
what your offsets (backspacing) to be sure not to foul
the fenderwells, but considering the large offset of my Marcos alloys,
I doubt this would be a problem.
Just about all common marques use the smaller
diameter splines (as opposed to Jaguar and a few others which use the large
diameter spline), so wheels should be readily available both new or used.
If buying new, I have found that Dayton brand wheels are superior to the Dunlops
made either in England or India, but that's just my opinion. The splined
adapters can have fine (12tpi) or coarse (8tpi) so you must be sure to use
the correct knockoff, and the adapters are handed for use on the left and right
sides respectively.
If you want to talk to me further, send me an
E-mail at indigo@....
Hope this helps! -Donny
----- Original Message -----From: twanaldenzeeSent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 6:43 PMSubject: [MarcosManiacs] Wire wheelsWho has any experience with wire wheels for a 3 Litre?
My main problem is the hubs, where can I find these for a Ford axle.
Any help is welcome. Thanks!!!
Regards, Twan