looking for pics of original 83 LE wheels on or off the car. i am planning on restoring a set that was given to me and i want to restore them to factory specs. here's what i know:

-the LE wheels were originally painted Sunbeam Silver Metallic (but how much of the wheel was SSM and was anything raw clear coated aluminum)

-the LE wheels used special lug bolts (would like to see pics)

-the LE wheels used special black centercaps (did the have any print on them)

 

here's a quick shot of the wheels that i have:

 

That would be them. Here's some pictures of one of my sets.







Another set, on my 7, painted black.

 

I'll get some pictures of the lug nuts and center caps tomorrow. Center Caps are black plastic with MAZDA etched in them.

 

They are identicl to the vert wheels only 1'' smaller. The centercaps say Mazda. If you find a pair keep them and clean them up good. They are one of the lightest and best factory wheel to ever come o a Japanese car.

 

thank you for posting the pics!! i definatly look forward to the pics of the center caps and lug nuts. i have neither, so i'll have to hunt for those. can you tell if your LE wheels were originally painted sunbeam silver?

 

they are definatly similar to the Vert wheels. i sold my last set two years ago as i had no need for them. i dont know if the LE wheels are made by BBS but the design is very similar..save for the center cap and 5 lug pattern.

 

Yes they are made by BBS they should say it inside the wheel I believe. They are getting hard to come by these days too. Shoot, I had a Le way back in 02. Awesome car, but it blew a Apex and I already had a 5 letter and a flawless 81 gsl. So I sold the LE. Pretty much, the guy just wanted it for teh wheels and interior!

 

Sorry i should have not said ''exactly'' they are a bit different. But still a very good wheel.

 

Dave, here is a pic of one of the wheels I have from when I first got it. It was never repainted or anything prior to this shot being taken so its a pretty good representation of the wheel, cap and lugs. you can see the lug head is out much farther than it would be with a normal plus wheel lug bolt.

 

thanks for the pic Sean!! and of course for the wheels too looks like a pretty rusty LE..

 

My wife has the camera in Sarasota. I always have my trusty scanner. The brown color in the mazda script is just dust. The cap is entirely black. FWIW The GSLSE center caps fit perfectly.

 

thanks for the pics! there's definatly a difference in the lug bolts. the center caps nice looking as well. now to hunt for the lug bolts.

 

This is what my set looked like after they were done.

Machined Lips

Painted centers

Clearcoated

 

those look GREAT!!! any pics of them on the car?

 

No, sorry.......

Just my profile pic.......

 

This thread is pushing me to cancel my search for a GSL SE suspension and start a hunt for LE wheels!

 

the LE wheels are beautiful and i highly reccomend them!!

 

from the profile pic they do look great! i cant wait to get them on the car!!!

 

this is what my LE looks like



kinda of a close up of the wheel

 

i must say that i'm jealous. your LE looks fantastic!!

 

Question on the lug bolts - are they necessary for the LE wheel? It appears that the regular lug bolts should work as maybe they tuck inside a bit more but it doesn't seem like there is a fitment reason. It seems it was more for them to be flush with the rims and appear a big nicer than stocks.