Practically Classics Forum

Anyone have experience of aftermarket wheels for Hillman Minx or Husky 1960 period?
Existing standard wheels are 15" x 4J.

No direct experience ....but I have seen early 60's Rapiers, Arrow type Hunters and of course Avengers fitted with Ford wheels - as on Cortinas etc. So maybe the centres are the same as Ford so you will have bags of choice options.

Indeed, using Ford wheels was common in the 70s as there was more choice (and scrap /written off Fords in breaker's yards etc). I think the PCD was the same or so near it made no difference, but the wheel nuts had a different seating angle and I'm not sure offhand if Ford wheel nuts were the same thread (I think they were, but you'd have to check). The only snag was that the Ford's offset wasn't always suitable for the Rootes cars - again it's a matter of try them and see. Mind you, there were some crazy offset wheels about in the 70s!

I am assuming, of course, that the Husky had the same four stud wheels - something in the back of my mind says five! It's probably due to Golfs changing from four to five bolts.

Thanks for the comments. Appreciated.
I believe the PCD is 4.25" same as Ford. 4 No bolts on the Husky.
The offset is the area I have concerns about.

I think you will be OK if you don't go daft - the MkII Cortina that almost replaced the series IV Minx didn't seem to be much different in the wheel department and I have seen Minxes running slightly wider Cortina (eg GT and 1600E) wheels without problems. I'm not 100% sure, but I think Minx wheels were inset a little more than Ford ones, so I suspect some of the deeper dish Ford wheels would cause problems - but I reckon a Husky would look stupid with 7" wide wheels.

This page a few posts down is an Imp Husky (?) and Ford alloys ..
http://practicallyclassics.phpbbhosts.c ... 1&start=30

The Imp uses BMC/BL 4"x4 stud spacing and not the Ford pattern of pretty much every other Rootes product, the wheels on the Hillman Husky in that piccie are Cosmics that appear to have had a bath in paint stripper.

Looked like Capri ghias to me..at Ace cafe






But after googling cosmics... images ...ya probably right ! Was the Ford wheel made by Cosmic for Ford 108 x4 ??? or wasis it a blatant copy by Ford?

Well you are lucky - with Ford PCD's the world is your oyster etc, and you can choose tyre size so as to alter gearing the way you want it. Scrapyards should have loads of choice - although I have spotted some round here are weighing in the wheels whatever so you may have to ask your local to keep some for you. If you want inset wheels then look at wheels from fwd cars like Escorts etc. Tyre choice in 80 & even 70 profile for 13" & 14" rims is getting a bit limited (eg 165-80x14 are now very limited). My tip - dont go too wide (I now regret 185-70x14's instead of 175-80's on my Datsun) and if you want to use the car all year round and limited mileage, consider winter /cold weather compound tyres.
Ed

JPB wrote:The Imp uses BMC/BL 4"x4 stud spacing and not the Ford pattern of pretty much every other Rootes product, the wheels on the Hillman Husky in that piccie are Cosmics that appear to have had a bath in paint stripper.

My Husky is the Minx style not later Imp with 15" wheels. Checking on whether 4J or not.