Yes, my genuine Minilite wheels were looked over very thoroughly on a visit to the old Mini Spares store many eons ago.  I was asked if they could measure the wheels, and when I went out to leave, my car was sitting on blocks with all 4 wheels off.  A bit later I was able to head back home and those wheels are sitting in a rack in my garage as they are so porous that I won't put them on the road anymore. Magnesium alloy also get quite brittle and the wheels are probably from the 1960's!

Cheers,

Paul

Yup, Dr Paul was involved. 

I'm not sure that the wheels aren't tucked up in the roof of his garage.

 Didn't Dr. Paul have his wheels used as a template for reproductions ? (Or is that who you're speaking of ?)

Special Tuning wheels are the re-named Minilifewheels, re-named after BMW got a new legal team and they got all angry and riled up again...

I know at least one person who's wheels were measured during the development of the Minilifes, and they were genuine mag Minilites so yes, the ST wheels are as accurate a copy as you will get.

I believe Tech Del are now owned by Mini Spares, though I haven't been to the foundry/factory for a few years.  The sales office used to be just up the road, so I had a splendid working relationship with them - when the MD sold out to the factory I got first pick of all the Mini stuff lying around.  The original and mildly melted Minilite show sign is on the insode of the garage door.

I've acquired 5 4.5"x10" 'Special Tuning' alloy wheels from Mini Spares.  Claimed to be the best yet reproduction of the original Minilite wheel.  Alex may have some comment on that claim.

I want my 10" wheels & tires under the Woody's body work...S brakes front & rear...no flairs.

Tech Del makers of the current Minilites have a 4.5" wheel with Cooper S offset to stay under the bodywork.  I used their 5" Minilites on the sedan & trailer...needed flairs.  I also went to Tech Del for 15" Minilites for the Buick powered MGB.  They gave me the necessary offset to keep wheels/tires under the body work. Great group to work with.

No worries. Mini wheel offsets can get confusing.

For a Mini with Cooper S 7.5in disk brakes and spacered rear drums ...

3.5in Cooper S wheels - No arches needed.

4.5in Cooper S wheels - No arches needed.

4.5in (or wider) Reversed Cooper S wheels - Arches needed (unless you are going for the clown car look).

I've never had either sorry and I heard about the offset difference. I just didn't know how much of difference that you'd need arches. But yeah I want a set and might be willing to trade or sell mine for it.

Too soft and they stink...................................

Those are not reverse rims, they are standard 4.5" Cooper wheels.

What about rose pedals ?

Maybe a simple question but I'm going to ask anyway. Do you know what the difference is between reversed Cooper S wheels and standard Cooper S wheels? It's the offset. The reverse wheels were made to give drum brake cars the look of a Cooper S by pushing the wheel rim out. Of course reversed Cooper S wheels can be run with 7.5 disk brakes but that will require arches to cover the exposed rubber/tread. 

So if you want the look of reversed Cooper S wheels without arches on a Mini running Cooper S brakes you need a set of non-reversed standard Cooper S wheels. 

Then there is the whole 3.5in vs 4.5in thing to consider.

I want mine to look like this

Thanks ALex. I don't want arches. The reverse wheels with arches do look really good though. 

If you're aiming for an honest rally look, then you go for 4½" Minilites or std Cooper steel wheels.

If you want the car to look good in your eyes, fit the non-works reverse rims.

Edit:  But remember that reverse rims with S discs need arches, which are definitely not period correct.

I changed my Starmag for reverse rims a few years ago and could not be happier. I love the look of them and could not think of a better option for our Minis, //www.minimania.com/msgThread/114485/1/1/Reverse_wheels
cheers,
Abel

Someone in Nottinghamshire is selling a set of old English white Cooper reverse wheels for £375. Thinking about selling my minilites knockoffs but I'm still undecided because of shipping costs. Would look really nice though.