Sprint wheel trims

[MickG]

I am looking for a set of chrome wheel trims for my Sprint.
I see that Paul Matty sell the trims and I have found some for the Triumph Spitfire/GT6 http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-RL1360. Can anybody point me in the right direction, as I am sure there are right ones and wrong ones?

Thanks Mick G

[elanfan1]

Be a little careful - some wheel trims aren't the quality of the originals, however originals are now old - so can be a difficult choice to make.

The Rimmer ones 'look' a little too angular to me though it is difficult to make out.

I believe the correct ones are Escort 1300E

[UAB807F]

Like elanfan1, I thought that the originals were from a Ford escort part and occasionally I've seen them on Ebay.

It's difficult to tell the exact profile from the picture, there's a photo from a slightly different angle on the GT6 application and they all seem to have the same part number. To me they look slightly deeper, that's just a hunch going from the depth of the valve cut out, I think I'd check the width of rims that were on the spitfires. But to be honest if they'd fit and don't come down outside the edge of the flat section (there's just a very slight curve outside the flat), I reckon 99% of people wouldn't tell the difference.

Brian

edit to add some photos of the ones on my car. These were bought from Chris Foulds in the 1980s and I'm pretty sure Chris sold genuine parts.

[MickG]

Thanks for the reply?s. I must admit looking at the photo's you provided Brian the GT6 ones do look different. Maybe Paul Matty has different trims, need to give them a call.
Thanks for your help.

Mick

[bast0n]

Mick

I made the mistake of buying some from "a well known source" and they were much narrower than the correct ones and did not look right at all. New old stock is still out there very occasionally. I bought two this year and have hung them on the barn wall for the future!

D

[robertverhey]

What about these?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lotus-Ford-Etc-13 ... 4cf84060f0

Bit pricey in my view but might do the job

Robert

[MickG]

Thanks for taking the time to find that Robert.
They are a bit expensive but seem to be the correct type. They are almost as much as a new tyre Think I'll keep looking .

Mick

[pereirac]

My imagination, but the eBay ones don't seem to have a cut out for the valve?? The ad says 'hand crafted' so I doubt they are original Ford items

[Gray]

Hi

I think the Ford trims are different to the Elan, I believe they came out much later - Escort 1300E early 70s? As far as I know the Elan trims are unique to the Elan - but someone might know different.

Gray

[archigator]

I bought new 13-inch chromed plastic wheel trim rings a few years ago from a local hub cap joint. They're much lighter and much cheaper than the originals and really look pretty correct to me. Visually, one can't tell that they're not the original metal ones. I feel justified in adding lightness, especially without having to make my wallet lighter.

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[jimj]

Sorry, Gary, but they are quite different, just look at the previous pics.
Jim

[alexblack13]

Jim,
These were some of the items I bought new as they were missing from my car when I got it. I did have one in the boot which I am keeping as a pattern / spare. My 1st attempt at these resulted in them being returned to supplier. Probably the best known supplier at that!!.
Second attempt was from Sue Miller, and putting them up against my pattern I found them to be as near as damit spot on. So I am happy with them. I can loan you my spare for comparing if you like. Chrome is not good enough to use on an A1 car.

These, and other items (S/S exhaust manifold that was useless and did not fit either!!), leads me to wonder just exactly what they fit to their restorations seen revolving invitingly on their showroom turntable.

The manifold they said was a ''one off'' but I returned it in person having been in our Liverpool office, and going through a few of them I ended up leaving with a cash refund and I repaired the original.

Good luck...

Alex B....
Have a look at SM's....

[Mazzini]

Are these rather expensive trims of the correct profile?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110852272751? ... 1423.l2649

[UAB807F]

The profile looks right but they are too deep. The ones on mine are around 1.25" or so and come to the edge of the rim, the ebay advert says these are 1.75", so presumably they are for wider wheels ?

Brian

[trw99]

Probably the best period colour shot of the wheels (albeit the early silver ones) and the trim, often referred to as 'Rimbellishers'!

As has been said, I believe the Sunbeam items to be the correct trims. The Escort had a flat section around the rim which is not right - though they do fit.

Tim