Pressed aluminum wheels with the early style hubcaps and trim rings

[scoot]

The pressed aluminum wheels from 123 cars have been discussed various places in the past, and it's clear that they work well with the standard full wheel cover found on the later cars.  It is not clear to me whether or not the pressed aluminum wheels can be modified by adding the hubcap pins such that they wheels can be used with the early style hubcaps and trim rings.  If there is anyone on the forum who could speak to this I would appreciate it.  I have a bunch of the 5 1/2" wheels and 2 of the 6" wheels and I'm thinking of putting a set on my 250 SL, but only if I can use the early style hubcaps.
thanks
Scott

[w113dude]

Scott,

Yes, it can be done, but you need to take it to a machine shop that has a rotary table that can do it accurately, they would want to see the three pin rim to duplicate the pins and precise location, Too bad I have sold my machines otherwise I would do it for you.

[ja17]

Hello,

The is some discussion on the 190SL web site on this subject.  The 190SLs used 13" rims but the same small hub cap as the 230SL. So many 190SL owners are converting to the aluminum 14" rims.  They discuss using the earlier spring clips to  hold the hub caps on. These early spring clips are very expensive.  Use the single post pins as on the early 230SL wheels.  They are still available and are only $1.50 each from  the dealer.

The holes must be precisely drilled and then the pins can be "peened" onto the rims. I suspect a very precise pattern or template could work instead of taking them to a machine shop.

[scoot]

I may have lost interest.   Here's a picture of one of the aluminum wheels with the small hubcap and trim ring.  As you can see, the trim ring doesn't really go well with the wheel given that the wheel holes are not concealed.  The aluminum wheel visually designed to be covered.   

[thelews]

I was going to go with the aluminum wheels for the 190 SL in 14".  www.blackforestllc.com puts the pins in with no problem, welds them on.  Like you, I thought the two piece wheel trim system looked not good, for my purposes, with all of the holes.  I went with steel 14" like what are on my 250 SL.  Car looks good, drives well.  The wide whites went on the 13" for show.