I have seen a few minis in magazines and on here that have 10 inch minilites that fit without flares, I think they are 4.5 inch. I have looked on the internet for prices and found on one of the UK websites they have standard ones and copper s ones the difference being the offset i think. If I'm fitting 7.5" brakes what offset will i need? The copper s offset because they had brakes, and no flares on the MK1 S? The reason was is don't want to put flares on my 850.

I was also wondering if my original master cylinder, the small baked bean can type is large enough for discs or will i have to get the larger capacity tin can one?

I also need to fit stepped rear drum brakes. Will the original 850 (about 64-65) cylinders, 5/8th, need to be changed or just the housing and studs?

Cheers Pat.

Hi,

I run 'Inset Contessas' which came on the Clubman SS and small-block LS.

Even then the tolerances are very tight, depending on the exact wheels and brakes, the wheels might rub on the caliper a little.

Also, depending on which tyres you choose, they will be very close to being outside the bodywork. (I run Falkens and they are barely legal. I believe that A008s are slightly wider).

Finding the wheels is a bit difficult. You just have to keep your eyes open or try posting in the wanted section on this forum.

There are some new wheels (I think these are them http://www.minisport.com.au/prod59.htm) which have a slightly wider offset but you might get away with.

Cheers,
Simon

Yes, I run these on the front - They stick out ~10mm more than the inset 'SS' type Contessa's - they may just fit if you run a fair bit of neg camber.
the 4.5" UK Minilites should fit (I just prefer having 5" rims with 165/70 tyres) - Yes, you need the Cooper 'S' offset.
If changing from drums to front discs you'll need to change the rear cylinders to the different size (I thought it was 5/8"). The standard 'smaller' tin can master cylinder should be OK.

One reason why they are hard to find is that they are commonly used on the Group Nb historic racers, which also don't run flares. Most racers have a few sets of wheels and any that do make it to the market are soon swept up.

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Curly
'64 Cooper 'S' (Group Nb spec)
'67 Mini Marcos GT www.mm7056.wordpress.com

If anyone is after a pair of LS offset Contessas, I have a pair.
I also have a pair of Mini offset.
The combination makes what is most commonly seen on Nb cars, as Curly indicates.

Actually, the SS ran 5.5" rims and the LS had 5.0", they were different.

Also, the master cylinder you have will operate the brakes OK, nut when Discs are fitted, the master cylinder should have a bigger resivior to had enough fluid when the pads wear down. It's a small thing and you could easily just check, but I'm pretty sure that this is a design requirement. If you look at the Cooper S M/C it has the same bore but a bigger resivior for this reason.

I didn't realise that. I'll have to check the ones I've got to see what they are.

Cheers for the replys.

I'm not really a fan of the contessas, so leaning towards the 4.5x10" minilifes.

Yeah i have been looking at pics of Nb minis, they look cool... sliding windows, right hand bullet mirrors, no wheel arches.

Works for me!

@Austin850 - Nice! What tyres on those? Any trouble with rego?

(Ah Belco, the old neighbourhood!)

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Thanks Moriarty.

I was actually running some old steel rims with 145s when I got the car regoed. I put the mags on since then.

The tyres are very borderline. Whilst the sidewall is slightly outside the body, the actual tread is just under the chrome strip. I can always whack on a bit more negative camber to make sure I guess.

The tyres are your run of the mill 10 inch x 165 Falkens. They cop a bit of criticism for their grip in the wet but I reckon that they aren't too bad.

Cheers,
Simon

4.5 x10 FIA offset Minilites will fit without arches over S brakes when fitted with A008s..... just

IME "factory" Contestas need spacers as well as trimmed calipers.

Cheers, Ian

Falken 165/70-10 FK07Es are actually quite a bit wider on the shoulders (tread width) than Yoko A008s are.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I hope you're right because I'm in the market for some new tyres soon (the ones I have on the above photo have great tread but are 15 years old and hard as concrete). I'd prefer to get A008s but I thought that I read in a fairly recent Miniworld that they were wider. Might have to investigate further.

Thanks,
Simon