Anyone recognise these 1/24 wire wheels?

[Matt Bacon]

I opened up the Auto Kits 1928 Miller which I bought on eBay to verify all the parts against the instructions. They are all there, including the spoking wire, except the wheel rims. The white metal wheel hubs are also in there. But there are also these wheels, which were/are clearly intended as a replacement. They are very nice, but they are definitely not already made up Auto Kit wheels. First, the hubs are all the same size, whereas the white metal parts have substantially larger front wheel hubs than rears. And secondly, I think they are resin. The centres at the back are pale and creamy. They are laced, not photo-etched. Does anyone know where they originate?

I'm wondering if they are Fernando Pinto? If they are, the £40 I paid for the complete kit seems like even more of a bargain!

best,

M.

[peteski]

Those sure look like Fernando's wheels, and the ones I have are all-resin. They are hand laced with wire spokes, but the rims, hubs, and tires are all resin cast.

[Bainford]

Are they a suitable size and type for the Miller? If so, that's a very fine score indeed.

[Matt Bacon]

I’m not sure they are… which is maybe why this stalled! He sells the “Talbot Lago” set as “suitable for many pre-war race cars” so maybe that’s what they are…

The only problem is that almost uniquely in period, and completely uniquely in the Auto Kits range, the Miller Special is front wheel drive, and has noticeably heftier hubs on the front than the back…

best,

[Mark]

This might be why the kit never got built.  I could see buying additional parts and packing them along with the kit.  But, I'd never remove or dispose of anything that came with the kit until it was finished...

[Matt Bacon]

Well, those nice folks at Squires have sorted me out with the spare parts to complete the Miller wheels as intended, so I now have the pleasure of figuring out what I CAN use the FPPM wheels on... ?

best,

M.

[Bill Eh?]

Matt, an excellent predicament to face.