[C2] Minilites on a mid-year
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Chuck Gongloff (03-18-2017)
03-17-2017, 04:45 PM
#42
Race Director
these are from a company (formerly known as) Specialty wheel are are a two piece, one piece wheel shell with a bolt in center, the gold centers are aluminum, the gray centers are magnesium and extremely light
Last edited by redvetracr; 03-17-2017 at 04:45 PM.
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ganshert (03-17-2017)
03-17-2017, 10:07 PM
#44
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Folks I have set the story straight here on mini-lites. My original set were made by Western Wheel and have 10 spokes. They are 15"x8.5".
And they look great even on a 4 paint layer now narly blue '74 corvette.
And they look great even on a 4 paint layer now narly blue '74 corvette.
03-17-2017, 10:24 PM
#45
03-18-2017, 06:11 AM
#46
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It was pretty much stock. Not NEARLY as quick as the one you describe. Mid 12's in the quarter is incredible.
It was a blast to drive. Made turns like you were on a roller coaster.
Sold that car to a guy in California back in the early 2000's, when we were starting to plan our retirement to Florida. Wish I would have kept it, but you can't keep them all.
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Nev Williams (03-19-2017)
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Chuck Gongloff (03-18-2017)
03-18-2017, 08:48 AM
#48
Le Mans Master
03-18-2017, 09:46 AM
#50
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03-18-2017, 04:59 PM
#51
Burning Brakes
This is the same blue coupe as you posted above. It belongs to Forum member Keystonefarm, who lives in Bucks County PA (and who's probably under about 18" of snow today
). I took this picture of his car about 40 years ago, at a Corvette show in Jenkintown PA.
I took a quick look the old racing pictures I have, and couldn't find any mid-years with Mimilites. I don't remember seeing many 63-67's racing with Minilites either. The American 200S wheels were much more common, than Minilites. In fact, I only have pictures of 2 or 3 68 up's, with Minilites. Most had Ansen Sprints, American 200S, American Vectors or even stock rallys.
Minilites seemed to be a more popular wheel on Trans-Am and A Sedan pony cars, of the late 60's and early 70's, than on most road racing Corvettes.
Western use to make a very nice copy of the Minilite, called the Western Superlite. My brother had a new 78 Z28, that he put a set of the Western Superlites on. Used Western Superlites turn up for sale, from time to time.
). I took this picture of his car about 40 years ago, at a Corvette show in Jenkintown PA.
I took a quick look the old racing pictures I have, and couldn't find any mid-years with Mimilites. I don't remember seeing many 63-67's racing with Minilites either. The American 200S wheels were much more common, than Minilites. In fact, I only have pictures of 2 or 3 68 up's, with Minilites. Most had Ansen Sprints, American 200S, American Vectors or even stock rallys.
Minilites seemed to be a more popular wheel on Trans-Am and A Sedan pony cars, of the late 60's and early 70's, than on most road racing Corvettes.
Western use to make a very nice copy of the Minilite, called the Western Superlite. My brother had a new 78 Z28, that he put a set of the Western Superlites on. Used Western Superlites turn up for sale, from time to time.
The wheels are 1972 vintage 15x 9 1/2 magnesium Minilites . They have the thick center section that have the quick change lugs. The wheel studs are about 4-5'' long. The lug nuts used with them are conical as there are adapters in the wheels to allow this type of lug nut. The last 1'' of the wheel stud is smooth so when the new tires with lugs rubber cemented in the adapters is put in place the lugnuts are already on the studs ready for an air wrench.
I was good friends and crewed with Babe Hedley who raced in SCCA A production then IMSA with his 69 Vette. When he went to IMSA they allowed wider wheels than SCCA so I bought 4 of his Minilites and put them on the 66. Babe purchased them from Jerry Hansen and in fact his name is still stencilled on the inside of my wheels !! My 66 was a autocross then B production SCCA regional car for two years then put back on the street. Minilites seemed to be used on Trans Am cars and C-3 Corvette more than C-2's from my memories from the 1972-1977 time I was racing. PSE ( Phil Schimdt engineering ) used to make some really nice Minilite look alikes but he has retired. Vintage Wheels has all the PSE molds/dies so that may be a source. --- Ken
Last edited by keystonefarm; 03-18-2017 at 05:16 PM.
03-19-2017, 01:29 AM
#52
Pro
Mine was a 1275 bored to 1310. Had twin SU's, dual gas tanks, power front DB's as all of the real "S" cars did.
It was pretty much stock. Not NEARLY as quick as the one you describe. Mid 12's in the quarter is incredible.
It was a blast to drive. Made turns like you were on a roller coaster.
Sold that car to a guy in California back in the early 2000's, when we were starting to plan our retirement to Florida. Wish I would have kept it, but you can't keep them all.
It was pretty much stock. Not NEARLY as quick as the one you describe. Mid 12's in the quarter is incredible.
It was a blast to drive. Made turns like you were on a roller coaster.
Sold that car to a guy in California back in the early 2000's, when we were starting to plan our retirement to Florida. Wish I would have kept it, but you can't keep them all.
Wicked torque steer,
Really had to hold on to the steering wheel when you gave it a boot-full!! Real seat of the pants driving 
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Chuck Gongloff (03-19-2017)
03-19-2017, 01:21 PM
#54
16" Minilites.
03-19-2017, 01:48 PM
#55
03-20-2017, 08:08 AM
#56
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I always thought that the Minilite design was/is timeless and the best custom wheel you could use. Only problem is the cost.....
I priced out light gold ones for my fawn 62 and it worked out to about 400$ per wheel......
Anyone have pics of a C1 with them on?
I priced out light gold ones for my fawn 62 and it worked out to about 400$ per wheel......
Anyone have pics of a C1 with them on?
04-21-2017, 02:36 PM
#57
Burning Brakes
I'm going to get wheels like yours. What color are the spokes and did you paint them or where they that color when you bought them.
Thanks
Kent
04-22-2017, 01:53 PM
#60
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Ahhhh, perfect! Yes, I agree, Id like to stay 15 but the tire choices are just so limited. Your car looks great though. I agree with most that 18s with rubber band tires just don't look right on a C2, but I think you hit a perfect middle ground with your combo.
Would you mind sharing the wheel size/backspacing and tire size you went with.
Thanks very much!
Would you mind sharing the wheel size/backspacing and tire size you went with.
Thanks very much!
Normal road service life depending on how much canyon carving you do is probably in the range of 5-10K miles. With "sport" alignment settings (1 deg. neg. camber at all corners, which also adds about a quarter-inch clearance to the fender lips) and base suspension, they should be good for about 1g lateral.
Attached is the latest spec sheet I have for the CR6ZZ..
Duke
Last edited by SWCDuke; 04-22-2017 at 02:07 PM.
