Rover with wire wheels in the Northern Territory

SydneyRoverP6B

Well-Known Member
Staff member
I don't ever recall having seen a P6B registered in the Northern Territory. Looks to be in nice condition and fitted with wire wheels for a touch of added flavour. The owner comments on the wheels, but I have seen another during circa 2007 at a Rover display day in Sydney, NSW. That set of wire wheels was fitted to an exceptional Rover 2000. Thinking about it, I seem to recall having seen another, years earlier, fitted to a white 2000, also in Sydney. That would make three if my memory serves. I have seen that type of air conditioner before complete with the complementary bent gear selector.
1972 Rover 3500 Auto (carsales.com.au)

Ron
 
Wire wheels on a V8? I don't think I've seen that before; I've forgotten now but were Australian cars exported fully built from the UK, supplied from NZ or from an Australian plant? I see that it has the '71 model bootlid name badges.
 
when I ticked the order book back in 72, the wire wheel option was only available on the 2000.
I bet my hat this P6b is an after market rejig with 2000 wheels and hubs.
Works for me though- looks smart
 
Wire wheels on a V8? I don't think I've seen that before; I've forgotten now but were Australian cars exported fully built from the UK, supplied from NZ or from an Australian plant? I see that it has the '71 model bootlid name badges.

The wire wheels were never meant to be fitted to the 3500, so this one has had the 4 pot hubs fitted to accept them. The series one cars were imported directly from the UK. The series 2 cars were shipped CKD from the UK to the British Leyland assembly plant in NZ, assembled, then shipped to Australia. There were of course exceptions that were privately imported direct from the UK, and of course, all the 3500S (all 250 of them) came directly from the UK.

Ron
 
I read somewhere that wire wheels aren't rated for the 3500 (assuming these are original 2000 ones).

I saw it listed and thought it looked a good example but the wheels put me off.

Stefan
 
I read somewhere that wire wheels aren't rated for the 3500 (assuming these are original 2000 ones).

I saw it listed and thought it looked a good example but the wheels put me off.

Stefan

Hi Stefan,

That is correct. The wire wheels are not designed for use on the 3500. It likely stems from the wire wheel's design not having the capacity to resist on a continual basis the applied torque and the resulting torsion (a twisting motion). It isn't so much driving along a highway at a constant speed, rather it is accelerating from the standing start that is the issue. The spokes will suffer cyclic failure eventually. If the wire wheels were well short of the required capacity, then they would fail very promptly.

You might be wondering if this is the case, why then did an E-type Jaguar run with wire wheels? The answer is the mechanical properties of the spokes, how they are laced, and their physical dimensions.

Ron.
 
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Hi Stefan,

That is correct. The wire wheels are not designed for use on the 3500. It likely stems from the wire wheel's design not having the capacity to resist on a continual basis the applied torque and the resulting torsion (a twisting motion). It isn't so much driving along a highway at a constant speed, rather it is accelerating from the standing start that is the issue. The spokes will suffer cyclic failure eventually. If the wire wheels were well short of the required capacity, then they would fail very promptly.

You might be wondering if this is the case, why then did an E-type Jaguar run with wire wheels? The answer is the mechanical properties of the spokes, how they are laced, and their physical dimensions.

Ron.

Thanks for confirming Ron. Yes, I would imagine the wheels on an E-Type would have different diameter spokes etc.

Whilst I'd love a set of genuine Rostyles for my 3500, I did pick up a set of the false mag style hubcaps and they look better than the standard ones :)

Stefan
 
I think the issue is more likely to be the hubs. They require the splined hubs which need to fit the other Rover components so its a major exercise to fit them and very expensive as you also need the big, handed nuts their spanner and a big hammer. Particularly when you compare them to the Rostyle which is a straight bolt on.
 
Yes, the Alpinair unit, the same as the one l sold to Demetris.

View attachment 22279
That Alpine Air unit looks to have more airflow into the cabin than my factory unit.
More in ya face than the integrated OE one
I guess the Aussies had car aircon efficiency firm in their grasp.
I know mine struggled in the West Australian heat but works very well in New Zealand. [my P6 started life in WA and moved to NZ]
 

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I think the issue is more likely to be the hubs. They require the splined hubs which need to fit the other Rover components so its a major exercise to fit them and very expensive as you also need the big, handed nuts their spanner and a big hammer. Particularly when you compare them to the Rostyle which is a straight bolt on.
No you do NOT need a big hammer at ALL they are self tightening therefore a thor#2 is all that’s required to undo
 
Knockoff type hubs remind me of the joke about a kid looking at them and asking 'What year "UNDO" is this?'.
 
Would you believe it! Coming home 2 days ago we see a P6B in green with wire wheels, auto (not S anyway)....follow it , and it parks at a house maybe 10 mins walk from us! Green is rare here, looks pretty straight. Lady driver, based on bare shoulders (hot day - 37C) and a pony tail. Will go and introduce myself soon.
 
Hi Stefan,

That is correct. The wire wheels are not designed for use on the 3500. It likely stems from the wire wheel's design not having the capacity to resist on a continual basis the applied torque and the resulting torsion (a twisting motion). It isn't so much driving along a highway at a constant speed, rather it is accelerating from the standing start that is the issue. The spokes will suffer cyclic failure eventually. If the wire wheels were well short of the required capacity, then they would fail very promptly.

You might be wondering if this is the case, why then did an E-type Jaguar run with wire wheels? The answer is the mechanical properties of the spokes, how they are laced, and their physical dimensions.

Ron.
 
Thanks for confirming Ron. Yes, I would imagine the wheels on an E-Type would have different diameter spokes etc.

Whilst I'd love a set of genuine Rostyles for my 3500, I did pick up a set of the false mag style hubcaps and they look better than the standard ones :)

Stefan
Take off gently it’s not a race car is it?
 
Acksherly, I was just reading this again and I think wires on a 3500 is ok assuming they are 4 pot wires and mounted with 165 section tyres, then the max torque that can be transmitted through them is controlled by tyre grip rather than engine potential.
 
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