Fiat 500 wheels for Beta Spyder

[unclejam]

At the risk of irritating the purist members - I have been looking at getting a spare set of "Fancier" alloys for my Spyder and have decided that I'm not that keen on the Lancia Thema 16v Turbo 15" wheels which have been suggested elsewhere on the forum.  A bit to slabby for me - I wanted something with a bit of a dish, to keep the retro feel intact if possible.
After extensive searching online, I have discovered two things:

1.)  Choices are very limited and wheels that fit are either ugly '90's hoops, brand new & inapropriately large, or very expensive niche market jewel-like objects of desire!
2.)  The Fiat 500 has the same fitment as the Beta, and virtually the same offset, albeit with a wider rim.

I have found some very cool Borbet 5-star dished alloys in the correct size (15") which I think would look great on the Spyder once painted in the right colour. (Gunmetal)
They are 7x15 wheels, with a 35 offset, 58.1 cental bore and so will fit the Beta hubs correctly.....BUT:
Is a 7" wide alloy going to cause any problems with being too close to suspension components etc?

The tyres fitted are 195/55/15, so I'm not 100% sure if they have the correct rolling radius.

Any biased opinions or (heaven forbid) fact-based replies welcome! 

[WestonE]

I am fitting 7x15 ET30 Azev A with 195 x 55x 15 on my spider and have done the full test fit with tyre, various spacers spring off full travel check. Rolling radius is fine and with some fiddling with spacers the front should be OK. At the rear you will probably need to roll the arch because it presents a sharp edge aimed straight at the tyre. It is not as scary as it sounds and relatively quick and easy for a skilled body shop with the tool to do it. Only absolute purists will ever notice because the outer arch is not changed.

Go for keeping the same size spacers front and rear to keep the factory miss matched track that helps the handling. Obviously longer bolts will be needed and keep the setup hub centric (the bit that locates into the bore of the wheel). Plenty of nice alloy spacers on eBay so no need for heavy steel ones.

Eric     

[squiglyzigly]

My experience is much the same as Eric.
My coupe is running 7x15 integrale wheels et27. As Eric says it’s not a straight bolt on experience with rear arch requiring rolling or trimming and correct spacing otherwise the rears will either rub on the inner arch/tub under moderate cornering or carrying passengers and the tyres will get cut by the arch itself if it’s not rolled.
My car has been happily running 195/55/15 for a couple of years with trimmed under arches and correct spacing. No rubs or cuts under the most enthusiastic driving.

As an option, 6x15 wheels with correct offset fit very easily without modification and happily run 185/55/15 or 195/50/15. 6x15 are a fairly common option on Fiat 500 and so open up quite a number of styles.

Ian

[HFStuart]

I have found some very cool Borbet 5-star dished alloys in the correct size (15") which I think would look great on the Spyder once painted in the right colour. (Gunmetal)

At the risk of opening up a rabbit hole that may have no bottom - let's have some pics then!

[peteracs]

Hi

I think the only comment I would throw in is steering effort required for wider tyres and should be considered when going for them. I know Eric has power steering on the Spider which negates this issue, but it is for non power steering.

I too would be interested in seeing some photos as most of the non original wheels I have seen fitted to Betas are not to my liking.

Peter

[HFStuart]

I'll confess this thread did start me looking and I found these which are quite 70s looking .


But then I've also thought about getting 15" custom made ones based on the normal Beta design and  / or seeing what the standard ones look look like with the web between the spokes removed.

[WestonE]

Hi Stuart

A would love a link to those wheels which are a copy period Abarth wheel. Are they 7x15?

Peter is spot on about Power Steering I can only get away with sticky rubber 195 x 55 x 15 with it on the car. Perhaps 6x 15 and 185 unless you a built like a brick out house!

Eric

[peteracs]

Hi Eric

Here you go, not found any U.K. based sellers yet.

https://500madness.com/index.php?route=product/product&manufacturer_id=44&product_id=300012896&sort=rating&order=ASC

Peter

[WestonE]

Hi Peter

Thank you

Eric

[unclejam]

Hi chaps, thanks for the feedback and useful info. 

I don't mind finding somewhere to roll the arches, there are plenty of "Max Power" garages who do it! 
The Borbets are powder coated white at the moment (see below) but my plan is to refinish them in gunmetal, with a polished lip, similar to the 2nd picture.
I guess I could stretch the tyres a little - maybe 185/50/15" or therabouts? 

Would that work without messing around with the rear arches?

[Clifford]

Nice wheels!

[rossocorsa]

I guess I could stretch the tyres a little - maybe 185/50/15" or therabouts? 

Would that work without messing around with the rear arches?

I don't know any arch space but 185/50 X 15 is too small a rolling radius you need anything like 195/55 X 15, use a tyre upgrade calculator to check

[rossocorsa]

My wheels, if I recall correctly  1980s Ronal I can't remember the exact model.

[unclejam]

My wheels, if I recall correctly  1980s Ronal I can't remember the exact model.

Those are nice too - only correct period- style wheels look right in my opinion. My Borbets are from 1998 but they are a classy retro style and I hope will look good on the car.

[mangocrazy]

I guess I could stretch the tyres a little - maybe 185/50/15" or therabouts? 

Would that work without messing around with the rear arches?

I don't know any arch space but 185/50 X 15 is too small a rolling radius you need anything like 195/55 X 15, use a tyre upgrade calculator to check

I used an Internet tyre size calculator and the closest rolling radius match in 185 section on a 15" rim to the original factory fitment 175/70 R14 tyres was 185/60 R15. A 185/50 would be well undersized and (IMHO) would not look correct on a70s/80s classic car.

[unclejam]

Thanks, I think the tyres on my new alloys are 195 x 55 x 15 which is quite close also.
I did a quick Photoshop mockup of my Borbet A’s on the car and I’m pretty pleased with the way they look.

[Clifford]

Unclejam they are looking good!

[unclejam]

Unclejam they are looking good!

Thanks Clifford, I think so too. I will get the original 14” alloys refurbed as well, so I can easily return the car to standard if needed.   Wheels are like Wives / girlfriends - very subjective and one man’s model can be another man’s “minger”! 

[unclejam]

Quick question if anyone has any input they'd like to offer:
I have now refurbed the brakes on my Spyder and have fitted the Borbet 15's but as I believe their offset to be ET30 - I'm thinking that to remove the 5mm front wheel spacers should make them ET35's? 
Am I calculating this in the right direction?  If so, it would be almost perfect. 

[peteracs]

Hi

There are only spacers on the front hubs, so you would be back to same spacing front to rear which according to Eric et al compromises the handling and may make the car look odd perhaps?

Peter