|
9 members (Grumpy2, AlyMatt, MartinB60, PaulJ, Graham, G4FUJ, sid, lez, RichardV6, Jon G4LJW),
244
guests, and
38
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
|
|
|
Forums39
Topics49,910
Posts838,136
Members9,635
| |
Most Online1,063
Jun 14th, 2026
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 16
New to Talk Morgan
|
OP
New to Talk Morgan
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 16 |
Towards the end of the TR engine +4 run in the 60s, many cars seem to have the optional wood rim wheel.
I’m interested in who was the supplier, in the hope they also made a smaller diameter (than 16”) that I might be able to find somewhere.
(Rather than a motoLita which looks a bit heavy and modern)
BUT - who made them? There’s no label/branding. It’s a five screw boss fastening which seems very uncommon.
I found a repairer/repro maker whose website says it was Bluemels , seems unlikely ‘cos I see nothing that indicates they made any other wood rims.
Does anyone out there know the story?
1975 +8 , 1968 +4 4s , 1952 +4 2s
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,616 Likes: 143
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
|
|
Talk Morgan Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,616 Likes: 143 |
They were made by Walsall Wheels which had some connection with Les Leston.
I know this as I have one on my 1968 Plus 4 4 str
Not sure they made 15" flat wheel and if you could find one then they tend to be very expensive
Hope this helps
Arwyn
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,065 Likes: 23
Has a lot to Say!
|
|
Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,065 Likes: 23 |
Moto Lita made the steering in different diameters in the outer circle.
We had a hire car last year where the outer ring was only thick as a thumb.
Greets René
2018 plus4 (sports green)
with a homemade really shiny red tinted dash…
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,035 Likes: 36
Has a lot to Say!
|
|
Has a lot to Say!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,035 Likes: 36 |
I have a 15" Les Leston (Walsall Wheels) sitting on my garage shelf. It's only slightly dished, say 1".
It has six equidistant holes in it though, not five.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 112
L - Learner Plates On
|
|
L - Learner Plates On
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 112 |
I have a 16" five hole wheel on my '67 Plus4. I couldn't find a makers name on it. It is a flat three spoke ally job but not sure if the rim is wood as it is leather covered. I would prefer a 14" or 15" wheel to make it easier for my frail old body to get in and out of the car...!
1967 Plus 4 Drophead coupe with a TR4a engine
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,701 Likes: 501
Just barreling along Needs to Get Out More!
|
|
Just barreling along Needs to Get Out More!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,701 Likes: 501 |
I have a 15" Les Leston (Walsall Wheels) sitting on my garage shelf. It's only slightly dished, say 1".
It has six equidistant holes in it though, not five. mph, just in case you're not aware, genuine Les Leston steering wheels are quite sought after in certain styles & are can fetch good £££
Jon M
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 881 Likes: 31
Talk Morgan Regular
|
|
Talk Morgan Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 881 Likes: 31 |
Five-hole, 15 inch flat wheel. MMC factory-installed on my Dec.'68 completed 4/4. Les Leston logo at spoke bottom. "Not for sale" https://www.tm-img.com/images/2021/04/19/IMG_0221-1.jpg
Last edited by BertL; 19/04/21 08:20 PM.
Bert & B1800
"Tis well enough to know how much to know; and when to know, not to know, too much."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 6,676 Likes: 441
Talk Morgan Sage
|
|
Talk Morgan Sage
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 6,676 Likes: 441 |
Mine is three spoke with drilled holes rather than slots.
Similar to this one on Ebay. There seems to be a wide range of prices being asked.
"Y mae dafad ddu ym mhob praidd"
1972 4/4, 1981 MGBGT, 1984 FLHT1340, 1980 XLH1000, 1990 ZX10
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 16
New to Talk Morgan
|
|
OP
New to Talk Morgan
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 16 |
Thanks everyone.
Until the picture from BertL all the Les Lestons I had seen (in pictures) had
- a varied collection of centre fixing holes and
- the spokes separated at the centre.
- the metal in the rim circumference wasn’t visible.
Mine looks just like BertLs 15 inch , one piece visible metal, simple 5 screw fixing, except that his is brand stamped.
My car was despatched July 1968, his December 68
So it seems most Iikely mine is also a Les Leston
AND maybe somewhere out there , there will be another 15inch that I can buy !!
Now that I know the brand and that there were indeed smaller diam versions made at the time.
1975 +8 , 1968 +4 4s , 1952 +4 2s
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 16
New to Talk Morgan
|
|
OP
New to Talk Morgan
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 16 |
So I see on eBay confirmation that Walsall made the Les Leston wheels.
I also see Carlotti branding (on chequered flag sticker) on a similar wheel, and “Carlotti/Leston” as the brand name by the seller.
Does anyone know who/what is Carlotti and if this is correctly an associate ?
1975 +8 , 1968 +4 4s , 1952 +4 2s
|
|
|
|
|
