Alternative for 14" GT Wheels

[jplips]

BMW 1600GT in 1967-68 was equipped with 14" steel wheels similar like 2000 Neue Klasse. 

 

As can be expected over 5 decades wheels are replaced and become almost impossible to find.

 

With support from BMW Classic CCA and Glasclub in Germany we are trying to locate "needle in a haystack" and hope one day we find a set of GT wheels for sale. In case you have a lead, please contact me.

 

In the meantime, my GT has too wide E30 BBS wheels (6.1/2J x 14 - ET30) that rub inside fenders when I turn. Will post some pictures with alternative 14" BMW wheels that been fitted on other GT's and like your feedback which route to take to replace BBS wheels.

 

Below pictures of original 14" GT wheel, original wheels that came with GT and were lost in Austin area, current BBS wheels that are too wide and alternative 14" E30 steel wheels:

 

 

 

 

Edited November 30, 2019 by jplips
Double post pictures

[Mike Self]

JP

The E 30 steel wheels look very nice on the GT even though they're not "correct."  

 

Some time ago there was a series of posts on the FAQ about a company in the US that made steel wheels--primarily for race cars--dirt track and the like--to the buyer's specifications as to width, diameter and bolt pattern.  IIRC they were slotted and looked very much like the OEM GT wheels you pictured.  

 

Perhaps someone on the FAQ knows where to find that post or knows the name of the manufacturer.

 

mike

[golf73]

Neat car! If it's 14" wheels you want, why not try to source some Neue Klasse wheels? I know they'd still be difficult to find but not as hard as the GT wheels. If not, consider going down to some stock Roundie 4.5x13 wheels, or 5x13 tii wheels, and put on some early 1600 "dog dish" hub caps (hard to find as well, probably). Or, maybe some Opel steel wheels from the late 60's-early 70s or some Borrani steelies

Edited December 25, 2019 by golf73

[jplips]

Thank you Mike and Golf73 for your suggestions and recommendations. 

 

Learned that Mazda Miata wheels from 1990's are also a close fit with positive offset of ET45 vs BMW E30's ET35. Only downside is that inner wheels has round edge, so future fabrication needed to "punch out" ledges for hub caps.

 

Please keep your thoughts and suggestions coming.

 

Happy New year, best wishes and many safe miles in 2020 in your 02. 

Edited December 30, 2019 by jplips
typo

[Navybob]

Are you still looking for stock wheels for your 1700?  I just picked up a bunch of parts, including wheels.  I have four 1967 1700 GT.  I'm just starting to sort them out to see if they are worth restoring or just parting out.  May have extra wheels. Let me know if you still want them and we'll work out a price.

[axco]

Navybob, the Glas 1700 GT wheels have 5 bolt holes where as the BMW GT has only four.  They will not fit.