2600 wheels

[D&SW]

well, I think the discussion has covered the major points and speaks for itself: there are numerous mundane and responsible reasons for seeking a contemporary wheel size for the 2600.

I for one would appreciate being able to locally source a tire and have several brands from which to choose. For example, I would like to find a tire that has some of the best braking and wet handling characteristics. The factory wheel size means there are only one or two tires currently available and we actually don't know much about them before we buy (and expensive they are).

I may be out on a limb here, but I am concluding that speed capability is not the primary concern for most of us who are looking at wheel alternatives.

David

[67alloy]

The definitive work on the 2600 Tire Dilemma can be found on Robert Piacentini's exhaustive page:Alfa Romeo 2600 Wheel and Tire Talk BTW, also great info on the Weber conversion debate.

At the time of his writing, 16" tires were not readily available. That would be the closest match. By going back and forth between Robert's page and a tire site, like www.thetirerack.com and comparing overall tire heights (in my opinion, the critical measurement to retain as stock appearance as possible) you should be able to find something reasonably close, though now the challenge becomes finding something skinny like the originals!

As an aside, I spoke with a nationally known racing wheel manufacturer about making some reasonable looking replicas for the 2600. When I showed him the stock rim, he was aghast. The bead sealing area is the problem with these cars; he referred to them as "farm implement" style beads/rims and made it clear in no uncertain terms that they were dangerous. The drop down, modern bead style is the main reason for wanting to make this switch for safety reasons. Alas, it is the drop-down bead which causes the interference with the calipers making retrofits hard to source. You need to have a custom rim made, which is really not all that expensive.

Some will make the argument that they were fine back in the day, even that guys actually raced these heavy cars on skinny tires and survived, but I believe for our purposes we should have the most modern technology available to us, whether its electrical, brakes, fluids or tires.

Having said that, altering the suspension, i.e. spacers, to fit other rims is more dangerous than using the original rims and tires.

[D&SW]

excellent point. And another important issue raised earlier is the tubeless/vs tube problem.

Alll of this points to a conclusion that something like the Dayton wheel is a reasonable solution esp since it is made for a tubeless tire and a 6" rim WILL fit the disc brake spiders and as noted by 6474Alfa, they can make a wheel for the drum style as well. It is "custom made" based on measurements of the disc and clearances provided by the customer.

[67alloy]

I think the Daytons are a good compromise. There is just SOMETHING about them that doesn't look visually right, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe getting some Borrani knock-off spinners to fit would help.

[alfamaserati]

I just bought a 1967 2600 Sprint on Ebay. It looks pretty solid, however, it has non standard wheels which look more appropriate for a truck. Any help in sourcing wheels for this car would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Richard

[67alloy]

Hi Richard,
The wheels that are on the car you bought are actually a quite common and not-altogether bad (given the options) wheel that retrofits 15" rims for the 400mm rims.

If you could weld or affix some stubs to attach factory hubcaps, it would minimalize the visual effect.

My previous comments on this thread notwithstanding, if you aren't going to drive the car too aggresively, factory rims with (expensive) new rubber and tubes are the only way to get the car to sit right.

[6474alfa]

I belive the bolt patern on a 2600 spider is 5x4.5 inches

Does this sound correct ?

Many Thanks

[tubut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6474alfa I belive the bolt patern on a 2600 spider is 5x4.5 inches Does this sound correct ? Many Thanks

[Touringspider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67alloy I think the Daytons are a good compromise. There is just SOMETHING about them that doesn't look visually right, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe getting some Borrani knock-off spinners to fit would help.

[D&SW]

anyone have any news or tried anything different that's worth mentioning regarding different wheels?

has anyone heard of Bolton's Classic Wheels (CA) ?????? I've been told they do custom wheel work including wheel rewelding

David

[6474alfa]

Dave

I finnaly recieved my lugs and able to mount my wires so included some photos below .I am very please with the results as they relly make a difference in appearance and handling . I have 205/60/16 Michelin Primacy and they ride very smooth . I was also surpised to learn that the steering is much easier with these tire and almost feels like I have power steering . I expected the opposite. Not rubbing whatsoever and the wheels really fill in the wheel wells .

I can see how these "rim laced " differ in apperance from the borranis qbut I almost like mor wire and less rim . I guess it just a matter of taste and originality but just happy to finally have wires.

I have the specs for these tires so they should be a snap when ordering from Dayton who's service was very poor and frankly I would go eslwhere if I have an alternative . The product is very nice however.


Let me know you you or anybody else need more photos ( without my big head) or other info?

Thanks

Andy

[D&SW]

a very worthwhile result I'd say...a snappy ride! car looks great

btw going through a restore process with the car provides lots of opportunities to experience less-than-ideal cust service (could I tell you some re-chroming stories!)

good news about the handling too. Probably at least partially due to the contemporary tires having better turn-in properties and better sidewall construction?

thanks for the pics and perhaps being a bit of a guinea pig that benefits the rest of us...

David

[tubut]

They look very good!

Could you post a close-up that shows only the rim and wheel (and how it is mounted)?

Did you opt for the rims with the tubeless option (sealed spokes)?

[D&SW]

my understanding is that the Dayton wheel is tubeless (I've had numerous emails with them about wheels for the 2600); sealed spokes, not to be used with tube.

Also, they tell me that if you have 4 wheel discs, they can do "well laced" wires (which are closer to the Borrani style which show more rim)

I believe 6474Alfa was pretty much consigned to using rim laced because of rear drum set-up. (Andy, can you confirm this/). I have just emailed Dayton this afternoon and we're in the process of confirming an order along the lines of a 16 x 6, well laced, knock-off style (with hub adapters to replace the lug mount 6474Alfa is using and a 2 eared knock-off)

I'll let everyone know what the confirmed order specs are, and then post pics when I've got the wheels.....

[tubut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by D&SW my understanding is that the Dayton wheel is tubeless (I've had numerous emails with them about wheels for the 2600); sealed spokes, not to be used with tube.