Minilites!

[rpiereck]

I'm picking up a set of genuine SAAB Ronal Minilite wheels tomorrow. These used to be factory accessory and racing wheels for 99s, and pre-87 900s. The owner says they need to be cleaned, stripped and repainted, but have no damage. 100 Euro, I couldn't pass it up.

They're 15 inch, same size as the Manholes I have now, I might just replace the them with the Minilites, and then keep the Manholes for winter tire duty.

[euromobile900]

That's awesome! I've wanted a set for a while, but never found any, so I settled for Super Incas instead. Aren't old-style (pre-1988) wheels great? You get so much more choice!

[rpiereck]

I like the original Incas. There is this set of Mint Incas in Calgary for 225 CDN... too far! Saab Inca Wheels with origninal boxes - Calgary Tires, Rims For Sale - Kijiji Calgary Canada.

[euromobile900]

And too expensive! I would wait and see what I could find, before going for new-in-box Incas. There are probably some better ones out there.

Post pics of your new Minilites when you get them! Please?

[rpiereck]

Those Incas are too far from me anyway. ​Even if they had been twenty dollars it would have been too far. And yes, I well get pictures of the Minilites.

[Jetman]

I have had quite a few of these. They're my favorite. My brother hit a curb in one of my cars and damaged one of a set. Fast forward a few years and he's asking me if I know of any rims kicking around that would fit his utility trailer that has hubs from an old Healey. Something rings a bell and I tell him to try the Ronals. It's one mean looking trailer now.

[rpiereck]

I just came back from Frankfurt, got the Minilites. The guy I bought them from also had four SAABs (like the guy I bought the C900 from), he has a four door 900 8v, a 1985 900 Turbo, a 1981 99 and a 9000 CDE for a daily driver. "SAABs - You can't just own one car" should be their motto!

Anyway, the Minilites. Three of the four wheels are in good shape, no rust, no dents, nothing bad, but need some cleaning and possibly respray. The fourth wheel has some rust and dents, but nothing that seems irreparable.

There are no center caps so I'll have to find some. Anyone know where can I get them?

Four wheels in my trunk


The one wheel with rust and slight dents


Rust spot on spoke face root


Slight rust under logo


Minor rust on lip


Slight dents on two spoke faces, plus a small rust patch


Actual German made Ronal wheels


Back side of the wheel, some rust on the inner lip



Inside rust spot


So my options are:

1) repair the wheel myself: cheap but time consuming. Rust removal and control might be a pain.
2) find a local wheel repair shop and have them do it: expensive but professional results.
3) find a fourth wheel in better condition and buy it (Jetman, I suppose that trailer had two wheels, do you have the extra wheel laying around?)

These wheels are pretty good looking! At 15.4 pounds each they're pretty light too.

(and yes, I'm wearing Crocs)

[SPGreg]

Nice catch! I have these on my silver '85 Sport (see my garage). Love them.

[euromobile900]

I don't think removing the corrosion will be that hard! Just depends how much time you have. Set a wheel on your lap, pour yourself a pint, and watch the game with your buddies while idly sanding a wheel? Sounds good to me! You should be able to fill in the corrosion pitting with some body filler. That's actually its intended purpose!

[rpiereck]

Yeah, I jut have to find the right kind of sandpaper. Most of the normal kind of sandpaper you buy at regular stores (aluminum oxide) will actually corrode aluminum on the long run. Steel wool is also bad because steel and aluminum are dissimilar metals. Fortunately at work we should have some, although I am having a hard time finding it because they apparently took all the sandpaper we had to Afghanistan. All I need is a sheet or two when I find it. I could also use a plastic abrasive wheel at very low speeds on a Dremel, I need to find that here in Germany first.

I contacted a German company that does wheel restoration and they said they can fix all corrosion, strip the wheels bare and powder coat them for 228 Euro. Too much for me, but those would be the nicest Minilites around!

I am also looking for center caps, and I have found out that they are the same size as Inca center caps, so I imagine they are a standard SAAB size center cap.