What is it about 13" wheels

[Tommy]

It's not that long ago, about a month, since I installed my refurbished ATS Classics. Going from a decade old 15" Pilot Sports to 13" Petlas certainly made the ride more comfortable. I had the wheels powder coated with RAL9006 White Aluminium. I'm not totally happy about the color but I got them done very cheap and there were not many options. 

 

Now I happened to see a set of Cosmic mk1's for sale. I've never really liked Cosmics (usually seen only mk2) but now I saw some pictures of them NOT painted black and they actually look weird enough to be quite nice. What do you guys think about them? Is mk1 too old for a square tail and were those used in BMW's back in the day?

 

On the other hand I'm afraid of developing an addiction that I've seen some of you have...

[akfjord]

@tommy that car looks proper! 13” ATS, Taiga, euro bumpers, shaved side markers. Just love it! And the comics could look good too!

[bob02]

Nice car! Is that a 1502? I'd buy those wheels if I could just to play around with them. I think they'd look great on that car. But then I'm one of the addicted

 

Bob

[Oldtimerfahrer]

I have two sets of the other cosmics, all in silver...love them. The early ones are really light too, I guess those are tube type with a lip, the later ones have no lip. I am always thinking about rims, hasn't done any permanent damage that I am aware of...

Andrew

[Conserv]

My honest opinion, Tommy? While the Mark II is quintessentially one of the true ‘02 period rims, the Mark I is the More-Handsome Cosmic!  Yes, I’m wearing my flame-proof suit! ?

 

Very late-‘60’s / early-‘70’s in appearance. Not too big a stretch for a square taillight. Over time, they were available in both a blacked-out-with-machined-highlights finish and a plain-old-silver finish, so either finish is acceptably period. There’s a good thread on them on the U.K. forum!

 

Seven or eight years ago, I was in touch with a forum member who had just acquired a somewhat needy ‘02, which had a set of the Mark I’s. The owner said he was replacing them with 15” rims ASAP and he’d be happy to sell me his Cosmics. I followed up with him a couple months later to check on the status of his rim swap. Well... apparently his brother decided to test the new car by doing donuts. The front suspension collapsed. I don’t believe we heard from the poor guy again.... ?  And that’s my almost-got-a-set-of-Mark-I’s story! ?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited June 12, 2019 by Conserv

[Conserv]

10 hours ago, Oldtimerfahrer said:

I have two sets of the other cosmics, all in silver...love them. The early ones are really light too, I guess those are tube type with a lip, the later ones have no lip. I am always thinking about rims, hasn't done any permanent damage that I am aware of...

Andrew

 

You’re probably not speaking to me, Andrew, after my crude assault on the Cosmic Mark II, ? but I wonder if the “lip-less” versions were designed to have black backgrounds and polished highlights whereas the lipped versions did not have polished highlights....

 

Just wondering....

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

[Oldtimerfahrer]

Hi,

No accounting for taste.... ?My rimmed ones were turned and had the two tone finish. I wish I  had a lathe large enough. They had a "finish" to them, the spokes were turned and clearcoted, the recesses were partly black. The lipless ones had a silver paint...no clue what they looked like originally. I think though there is a catalog shot from Alpina with my lipped rim, so that is a selling point for me. I think they were called RA004 or something like that...

Andrew

[JohnS]

I love the look of the Cosmic mk1.  What type of lug nuts do they use?  The tapered type or a shank style lug nut.  Anyone know?

[Conserv]

11 minutes ago, JohnS said:

I love the look of the Cosmic mk1.  What type of lug nuts do they use?  The tapered type or a shank style lug nut.  Anyone know?

 

A Cosmic brochure, ca. 1969, suggests the lug nuts need a 60-degree taper (page 6).

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[JohnS]

Having what I call the "regular" tapered style lug nuts like BMW used on their alloy wheels is a big plus to me.  I have a set of Ronal Kleeblatt wheels that I love except that they take the shank style lug nuts (which I think are a PITA).  But, that's just my opinion ? Thanks for all the great info as usual

John

[Tommy]

Thanks Steve, I was waiting for the "wheel guru" info and opinion.

Thanks others too. Yes, my car is 1502, "new" guys can find the project topic through my profile if interested.

I'm not rushing in to buy the wheels but if they hang for sale I may not be able to resist making an offer at some point.

[revolve40]

13” wheel thread and no Borranis?!

 

 

 

 

[SydneyTii]

2 hours ago, revolve40 said:

13” wheel thread and no Borranis?!

 

 

 

 

Oh boy........no words! ?

[jmr_1602]

Those MK1 Cosmic wheels look great. I’d love to have a set one day. I like the hard angles in the recessed areas of the wheel. Much like Ronal R1’s.

I just recently installed a pair of 13x7 Ronal R2 Kleeblatts. I’m still waiting on tires for the 13x8 rear wheels.





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