Re: Borrani Wheels for '63 2600 Sprint

[JHertzman@domain.elided]

In AD 7-691 Ray Lepera, who has a '63 2600 Sprint, asks:

"Any thoughts on changing fron the 400mm stock wheels to Borrani? I have 
heard that TR3 hubs work, but that Austin-Healy hubs are larger and a better 
fit. Anyone have a source for 16" Borrani wheels? I figure that would be the 
best fit since the 400mm stock wheels are 15-3/4" in diameter. I also am in 
the mood to upgrade the rear drums to the next model years rear disks-any 
thoughts?"

An acquaintance got fresh wires- plated hubs, stainless spokes, and alloy 
rims- for his 1900 from Motor Wheel Service & Repair Co., MWS House, Elder 
Way, Langley Business Park, Station Road, Langley SL3 6EP, England (fax 01753 
547170) for a surprisingly modest cost. (They are a Borrani dealer). In his 
case he had the original splined hubs and did not need adapters, but MWS was 
able as a matter of course to mix-and-match hubs, spokes, rim diameter and 
width, as well as offset, number of spokes and lacing pattern. There are two 
or three international standard spline sets used for wire wheels, they (or 
another supplier) should be able to recommend adapters to fit the 
bolt-pattern, possibly with some machining required. Also in his case there 
was a difference in the internal taper of the Alfa Romeo knock-offs which he 
wanted to reuse, so some machining was required there. Knock-offs with the 
Alfa Romeo script cast-in are probably unobtainable (unless ReOriginals or 
someone else is having them replicated) so you may have to settle for Offside 
Undo. You would also have the option of the hexnut (or octagon? forget which) 
which Germany mandated for pedestrian safety. Other suppliers (Dayton Wire 
Wheel for one) should be able to do the job also.

On upgrading the rear drums to later rear disks, I would go exactly the 
opposite way. There is no question that if planning on running at le Mans 
disks will outbrake drums, and they were the New! Novel! Nifty! State of the 
Art! when adopted, but Alfa's drum brakes were damned good, and also gorgeous 
to behold, as well as being the highest state of development and execution 
that particular technology reached. Which (being damned good, gorgeous to 
behold, and the highest state of development and execution that particular 
technology reached) are the reasons I would consider owning an Alfa of the 
sixties. It might be an anachronism, costing points-off at Pebble Beach, but 
if I were wire-wheeling a 2600 I would drum-brake it also.

John H.
Raleigh, N.C.

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End of alfa-digest V7 #692
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