Series 1 or 2 SD1 alloys?

WarrenL

WarrenL

Active Member
I have long wanted to fit Brown Rover with alloy wheels. This is partly aesthetic (I've never liked the originals), partly practical (wider tyres).

Thanks to a bit of networking over the weekend, I have been offered my choice of Series 1 or Series 2 SD1 alloys. But I can't decide which. Should I obtain two of each and put a different pair on each side of the car? Don't laugh, a mate of mine once bought a Datsun Fairlady 260Z, and it was some months before he noticed the left and right alloys were different...

I know it's strictly a matter of taste and opinion, but what do people think? Post some pics of your SD1-alloy-equipped P6s so we can compare directly within this thread.
 
I like the mesh version, as per the Green Hornet:

greenhornetpillarlesscomparison_zps876a2665.png
 
Vitesse alloys weren't offered! They might have won me over had they been, but this is strictly down to the Series 1 and Series 2 standard alloys, as Graeme has posted. I'm a bit stuck. More pics please.
 
Hi Warren,

I prefer the series 2 SD1 alloys too over the series 1 issue. Not saying that there is anything wrong with the series 1 issue, just that if I was given a choice for my Rover, I would opt for the series 2 issue.

Ron.
 
Trying a pair on each may be the best way to go, it really helps to see them on your car. I did a bit of trawling and this is the best I could come up with:


I had a lot of trouble finding a pic of a Tobacco ish car with the series 1 wheels.
I think I would lean towards the earlier wheels because they look a bit more period and rumour has it they were actually fitted to late NZ P6Bs from new. But the later wheels look a bit tidier and a bit more modern... Dilemma. :?
 

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You're right, it might come down to a try-out, Al. There's nothing in it at the moment: I like both types. I was hoping you guys would cure my indecision by coming to a clear and definite consensus.

Of course it could also depend on what sort of nick they're all in, but my benefactor says he has quite a few to choose from.
 
I think the series one alloys suit the character of the car. For me the S 2's make the car look as if it's been pimped by an American rapper. Far too smooth and devoid of character. Sorry if that's a bit strong!

In particular I like the S1's in silver or at worst gold satin finish as they were in the UK. The wheels pictured in dark charcoal were fitted in the UK but only for a very small number of run out models prior to the S2.

But far more important. Before you take the plunge, what is tyre availability like in NZ? In the UK all 14" tyres are difficult to source in any sort of quality manufacture. Which is why we all go for the 15" cross spoke from the Vitesse. Presuming that the SD1 wheels are 6J? Then I'd want to use 195/75 X 14. Why not try ringing round a few tyre dealers and see what they offer you in that size? Mind you, you do have the choice of going slightly undersize now that you have your magic box to adjust your speedo reading... So perhaps 195/70's or even 65's? These have a downgearing effect of 4& and 7% respectively.

I'd also want to have the wheels refurbed before you fit them, primarily to address porosity issues which will otherwise see your tyres slowly deflate over time...

Chris
 
I've never had a problem getting hold of 195/70 tyres. 185R14s are out there but may have to be ordered, likewise 165R14s for the 4 cyls. I got a set from my local Beaurepaires several years ago but had to order the last pair from Hyper tyres online.
 
I had a lot of trouble sourcing locally what I wanted so in the end made a special order direct from Korea via the local tire retailer. 205's should be the choice of tire but to get the right radius then you need a tire that generally is not stocked in NZ.

Graeme
 
I think both sets of alloys look good but for me the Series 1 SD1 alloys just cross the finish line in 1st place...

First of all the design of the Series 1 SD1 alloys were signed of (I estimate!) in about 1973/74 so they would be a viable 'period' addition to most Series 2 P6's.

Secondly, as much as I like the Series 2 SD1 alloys I do feel they are a tad plain. That's not always a bad thing but I think that compared to the Series 1 SD1 alloys they just lack a little visual 'ooomph' as it were!

I'd give both sets a try though and see what you make of them when they're fitted as it is down to personal preference and how they look on the car and how the car sits on them. It's a tough one but only you can really decide at the end of the day :wink:
 
If I was given the choice I would, I think, opt for the series 1 alloys.

I had both on various SD1s over the years (a loooong time ago, now, admittedly) and the ones that still stick in my mind are the series 1's; although that could just be because they were the first alloys I had on a car. Of the series 1 wheels, I preferred the ones fitted to my series 1.5VP, with the dark(er) centres and polished (diamond cut?) edges. That might just be because there weren't many about, so they looked a bit different. I also had some gold ones (as fitted to a V8S prior to the VP), but I'm not sure they'd really suit the P6. At the time I thought they looked great on the Triton green SD1s (not so much the blue), but maybe tatstes have mellowed a bit since then :)

Having said that, I also like Minilites and Ro-styles on the P6, but you didn't ask that......
 
I'm veering toward the Series 1 wheels now, but I don't like them in darker shades. I'll have to have them blasted and anodised so they're nice and bright and silvery.

By the way, I put the matter to the vote on the AROnline Facebook group. So far it's 16 to 1 in favour of Series 1 wheels.
 
Thunderdog had the series one wheels on him towards the end, but when I got them they were gold. I must say that I thought they were tacky, so I got an old hub in the vice, bolted a wheel on and sprayed them with silver wheel paint while spinning the wheel. It did a marvellous job, nice and even coating and lasted for ages.

Transformed the wheels, looked far better than in gold.

I do prefer the series one wheels, even though they are more difficult to clean, but then I prefer the Vitesse wheels even more and they are even more difficult to keep clean. :shock:

Richard
 
Gold, mine were sort of gold when I bought them.
beamish2012012.jpg


It wasn't the original colour, the refurb place said they had lots of coats of paint in varying shades of gold though.


John.
 
I like my tyres to have some sidewall tread, for those roll off the rim, spirited cornering moments :LOL:

That was the best tyre from the bottom of the stack, it had no chicken 2hit on it.....


John
 
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