Rudge knock off wheels

[zak]

I recently saw a 1963 300 SL roadster up close and in person and it took my breath away.
It had the knock off rims.
I was wondering, when were they available and for what MB models ? And why were they discontinued ? In the 50s and 60s a lot of sports cars used them.
I would love a set for my pagoda !

jz

[mdsalemi]

Machining a splined axle stub is no cheap feat...that's why they are not common. Cost.

[ejboyd5]

Rudge hub wheels were available as an extra cost option (SA1011) for the 300 SL.  Most appeared on the Coupe (1954-57), with only approximately 27 showing on the Roadster (1957-63). Rudge hub wheels were not always the preferred design for racing.  Although initially favored for their quick change ability around the time of Mexico’s Carrera Panamericana, where rough road surfaces prevailed and tire quality was not always the best, Rudge wheel assemblies were in fact heavier than their bolt-on counterparts and increased a car’s un-sprung weight. Mercedes-Benz’s consideration of this issue and its response thereto is best demonstrated by the fact that the Coupes used to propel Paul O’Shea to SCCA championships in 1955 and 1956 rode on Rudge hub wheels while the famous 300 SLS Roadsters used in 1957 to achieve a third consecutive championship were equipped with bolt-on wheels.

[mdsalemi]

When I lived in Michigan, there had been a firm that has since shut down in nearby Plymouth, just a few miles from where I lived and a lovely drive out into the country.

They were called Lyco Engineering, and they made and sold parts, and otherwise did work on 300 SL‘s.

After they had basically shut down they still had a demand for and were making the lovely little copper hammers that are required to knock off the wheel hubs! Got a tour of the remains of the place after the original owners had passed away and the son had taken over and basically the only thing left was the copper hammer business! Truly a beautiful tool, it must’ve been so beautiful because they seemed to have come up missing all the time which is why there was a demand for them!

Ejboyd, you need to take a beauty shot of your hammer and post it here!

[kampala]

A few months back I was at a cars & coffee (on steroids) that had a Mercedes day - there were about 150 cars or more outside and a bunch inside.  I only have photos of the inside.  My w113 was outside.   Cees K., also joined me in this insane ($$$$) event in Costa Mesa CA.  Quite surreal. 

Posting as some cars had the “knock off” wheels.

[zak]

Wow some Cars and Coffee. it looks like the Gullwing Group swooped in and took all the indoor space !
And pagodas were consigned to the outside. Would love to have been there.

jz

[Bonnyboy]

Years ago I saw a 300SL parked in the local shopping area and it had the rudge knock-offs.   It was so cool that I went and bought knock-off hubs, axle and wheels for my little MGB.  I haven't driven the car yet but it is cool to see the guys at the car club walk around and smack the eared knock offs with their pretty little hammer after a good drive.

Definately increases the "cool" factor.

[ejboyd5]

As requested in post #3, attached are pictures of a reproduction hammer similar to that sold by Lynn Yakel (Lyco Engineering) and an original in the condition most are seen today.

[mdsalemi]

As requested in post #3, attached are pictures of a reproduction hammer similar to that sold by Lynn Yakel (Lyco Engineering) and an original in the condition most are seen today.

See how beautiful this tool is? I’d like one without a 300SL or k/o wheels!! (Thanks for sharing)

Lynn Yakel passed away in 2008. His wife Roberta in 2005; Roberta was an accomplished engineer with patents on flex-fuel engines, and the first woman elected a fellow of the SAE. I met son David after both had passed, when he had plans to continue Lyco. They never really materialized. They were MBCA members.