Hello all,
I have been browsing the forums, and googling to see if I could find some modern aftermarket rims that could fit my 1974 Fiat 500 R (126 bolt pattern). I know I could probably get Mini rims with wobble bolts, but I was hoping to find some aftermarket rims that fit perfectly as is. I have been trying to figure out how wide of a rim I could get for the front that wouldn't cause rubbing when turning, and still fit in the stock wheel well and not have to modify the fenders any. I noticed a large amount of the people on this forum like the old classic style looks and restore the 500 to look more or less stock, and I appreciate the looks of the old style rims and they look good on the 500s I have seen but I am looking for something a bit more updated. Basically, does anyone know of a place that sells aftermarket rims that aren't in the same style as you see on everyone's 500s?

I am looking for something more like this style:

or this:

I can find lots like the ones on this site:

I am just looking for something different, given that my 500 has a very unique paint job (chameleon, and all my accessories are painted black not chrome), I want something that blends a bit with the paint and stands out from your run of the mill 500 rims. I have tried looking for 4 x 98 stud pattern rims but all I can seem to find is ones for the new 500 that are way too big for the wheel wells of the classic. If ones cannot be found, does anyone know the tire/rim size that I could put into the stock wheel wells without any rubbing? Most of the aftermarket rims that I find for the Mini are 13" so I know I would need a lower profile tire, but what is the max you would go both height and width?
Is there anything special to get if I do get Mini rims other than the wobble bolts?

Also, I am currently living in Italy, though I also have an APO address if it is from (or cheaper to ship to) an American address.

Thanks for the info.

Try this one.

Those are close, and may be the option I take, but something a little different... I don't know how to describe exactly what I am looking for in the rims, but these ones are close.

Did you by chance purchase your car in Aviano? I recall seeing one fitting your description on base before I left.

If you are not wishing to modify wheel-arches I would advise that you stick to 12in rims and no wider than 4.5in. Even then you might just touch on the inner wheel-arch on full lock. Also, remember that if you choose 500 pattern wheels (190pcd) and use adaptor/spacers they will bring the wheel out by about 12mm (1/2in.) EACH SIDE.

Hello Spyder,

At the moment I'm running Yokohama A539's all round at 165/60 R12 71H on a minilite rim copy at 5J (see pic) with a disc brake conversion from a Cinquecento and the larger/later 126 rear drums. The front wheels are fitted with spacers and JUST rub, but only on full lock. Try looking at the 'Fiat Mania' web site they have a selection of wheel designs for the 500 and 126 sizes. They will ship worldwide. Have to say that the ultra modern look is not for me with wheels on a classic 500 and I have liked the 'minilite' look for years. There are more 500 specialists in Italy than elsewhere, so you should achieve the look you want - good luck with the car.

Ian.

Can we see some more pictures of your 500 please Ian? Personally if I had 2 500's I would mod one and keep the other original. I have always liked Minilites so would be intrigued to see what they look like on your 500 in a bigger picture, along with all the other mods.

Tony

Hello Tony,

Once the weather dries up I'll get my 'little Beastie' out and sort a host of pic's. I'll list the mod's too.

Ian.

Spyder, just a thought, but if you don't have any joy with 500/126 web sites try Cinquecento/Seicento as far as I remember they have the same pcd, and as later cars are more served by 'modern' rims!!!!

Ian.

Ian is correct, Cinquecento/Seicento do have the same wheel PCD (98--the current Fiat 'standard'), but I think that you will find that they both have 13in wheels as standard. Very few modern cars have 12in wheels; but I also agree with Ian, VERY few cars look bad on Minilites! (or their look-a-likes)

I have decided I am going to go with some from 500mania, in particular these:

However, they are sold out at the moment. I like the two tone coloring and the spokes look nice. Now I am just waiting for them to be back in stock and I will have a new set of rims. Thank you all for your help, and sorry for the delay in responded, had a work thing and have been out of town (country) for a few months.

npc - Yeah, I bought this at Aviano. I fell in love when I saw the paint job, and the wife said I could get it.

Bleeding Knuckles - You have just about the same setup I am looking to put on mine as soon as I get a chance. I want the full 4 wheel disk conversion, and I was thinking about doing the rack and pinion steering conversion as well. Your rims look great especially with the rotors and calipers showing. I was thinking about getting the brake conversion kits for the brakes from here:
[FONT=&quot]http://www.fiat500sport.com/brakes/...00-rear-brake-rotor-conversion-kit-0187l.html
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]http://www.fiat500sport.com/brakes/...m-front-brake-rotor-conversion-kit-0179l.html
Do you have any thoughts on these?

Thanks again everyone for the responses.

[/FONT]

Vitesse said:

Can we see some more pictures of your 500 please Ian? Personally if I had 2 500's I would mod one and keep the other original. I have always liked Minilites so would be intrigued to see what they look like on your 500 in a bigger picture, along with all the other mods.

Tony

Click to expand...

Get another, get another, get another, pleeeeeeeeease Tony.

Spyder are you still at aviano?

If 500Mania are out of stock, have a look at either---JBW Minilite (who make good copies of Minilites) or KN Minator.
With regard to having rear brake discs, I cannot recommend it. As a mechanic (many years ago), due to the lack of work that the rear discs get, they were always corroding (which required renewal) and the callipers were always seizing up---and that was on fairly heavy cars (M/benz etc). Due to the light weight of the 500, 126 drums at the rear are all that is required for a road car--with discs at the rear you run the risk of the rear brakes locking up, especially in adverse road conditions.

Sophia65 - Yes, I am still at Aviano, I am just currently out of country for a few more weeks. If you are at Aviano, I may have done the inspection on your 500, as I work VM and was running the POV tent most of last summer before I had to leave, and I inspected 2 or 3 500s.


the hobbler - Yeah, I know the rear brakes only do about 20% of the braking force for a vehicle and that could lead to some corrosion from under use. I just hate having to do shoes and drums on cars (I do it at work since I am a mechanic). The springs are annoying and I don't have most of the proper tools for working on drum brakes at home. If the set is a decent set of calipers there shouldn't be any issue with them locking up, however it is something to consider, and I appreciate the insight. Thank you.

the hobbler - I realize now that you may have meant that the rear caliper would lock up under heavy breaking due to the lack of ABS, where as the drum style may slip a bit easier than the disk style. I think I will start with just converting the front and see how it feels, if need be replace the rear later. Thanks again for the input.

As the car is rear weight biased - like my 911's the rear brakes do more work than usual
Fitting my rear discs - and will report in
Anyone experienced the 30% "servoed" master cylinder that improves braking force? Direct fit apparently

AndrewHarvey - Is this the one you are talking about? Here
I was thinking about getting this one when I do the disc conversion or the one with two separate circuits so if there was a problem with the front the rear would still work and vice versa... any thoughts?

Yes that's the product
I've found it on eBay so it's easier to buy than from the vendor you noted - who are famously difficult to do business with outside Italy.
I guess it has a different sized piston
Rather have this than a dual circuit master cylinder

Awesome. That is great to hear. I will scratch off the dual circuit from my list and then probably get this instead, Thanks.