New wheels for my 409

[pasini s]

Hello,

I don't know if other V8 users might have the same problem that I had with my Dunlop wheels, but the original 5Jx16" rims of my 409 were a bit 'warped' and I couldn't find the way to have them properly straightened; moreover the excellent 185x16 Vredestein radials were really designed, according to the manufacturer, to be installed on a 5,5 or 6 wide rim. After a long search for a modern wheel, I found that Mercedes uses 6Jx16" steel wheels on their B-Klasse and this wheel has the right size, hole pattern/size and offset (46mm) for the 409 hubs.
Officina Bugamelli in Bologna modified a set of Mercedes-Benz steel wheels to take the studs for the original hubcaps. This is the result:

First tests of my 409 at the end of the restoration

First test drives of the restored 409, April 2011

(please scroll to the bottom of each page to see the new wheels installed on the 409).

I am very pleased with the result both from the technical and visual point of view, and the cost was not so high. Maybe someone has the same problem and he can find a viable opportunity in this modification.

Have a nice Sunday,

Stefano