| MWS Fitment Guide | |||
| Car | Kit Car/Replica Merlin Witton, Witton Tiger, Merlin TF, Merlin Plus Two, Freedom, Casino | ||
| Body | Roadster | ||
| Engine | Mainly various Ford | ||
| Year | 1969 - 1998 | ||
| Wheels | ||
| Original | XW480 |
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| Rim Size | 5½" x 15" | |
| Centre | 42mm Curly | |
| Number of Spokes | 72 | |
| Finish | Chrome or silver-painted | |
| Lacing | Inner & Outer | |
| Inset (mm) | 22.2 | |
| Back Spacing (mm) | 105 (+/- 3) Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing. |
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| Tyre | 185/70R15 |
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| Tube | Tubeless The chrome wheels have been tubeless since October 2007; and the silver-painted wheels have been tubeless since April 2017. If you have the older, tubed wheels or are fitting tube-type tyres you will need 175/185 x 15 tubes and we recommend using 15"/16" rim bands. |
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| Notes | Depending on the engine the vehicle could have been fitted as standard with 6" x 15" alloy wheels (using 195/70R15 tyres) or 7" x 15" alloy wheels (using 225/60R15 tyres). Some vehicles have also been fitted with 5½" x 15" bolt-on wire wheels. Please contact us for more details. |
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| Options | XW457 |
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| Rim Size | 5½" x 15" | |||||
| Centre | 42mm Curly | |||||
| Number of Spokes | 72 | |||||
| Finish | Stainless steel, chrome, silver-painted or black-painted | |||||
| Lacing | Inner & Outer | |||||
| Inset (mm) | 12.7 | |||||
| Back Spacing (mm) | 95.5 (+/- 3) Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing. |
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| Tyre | 185/70R15 | |||||
| Tube | Tubeless The chrome wheels have been tubeless since December 2007; and the silver-painted wheels have been tubeless since April 2008. The stainless steel and black-painted wire wheels have always been tubeless. Tubes are only required if fitting tube-type tyres. If you have the older, tubed wheels or are fitting tube-type tyres you will need 175/185 x 15 tubes and we recommend 15"/16" rim bands. | |||||
| Notes | This fitment has never been tried, tested or verified by MWS. A fitment check is recommended. | |||||
| Notes | |||
| Warranty | Chrome: two year structural and cosmetic Painted: two year structural and one year cosmetic The warranty period commences from the date of invoice and is subject to the wheels being maintained as per our Wheel Care advice and in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions. Please retain the warranty tag supplied with each wheel as it contains the information required to identify the wheel in the event of a claim. Please note: MWS warranty automatically becomes void if the wheels have been: subject to re-work or change; fitted with tyres other than the manufacturer’s recommended fitment; or used for track events. | ||
| Splined Hubs | |||
| Option 1 | RSK195 - Left RSK194 - Right Four RN1215 per splined hub Bolt-on splines, unless fitted as original equipment, will increase the track by up to 1¼" per wheel Studs will require shortening, click here for a diagram Click here for a guide to fitting hubs, caps and centre-lock wire wheels | ||
| Spinners | ||||||
| Code | KCK053LH/KCK052RH |
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KCK057-8LH/KCK056-8RH |
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| Type | Knock-on centre caps | Knock-on centre caps | ||||
| Size | 42 mm | 42 mm | ||||
| Thread | 8 TPI | 8 TPI | ||||
| Ears | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Logo | Plain (no logo) | Plain (no logo) | ||||
| Notes | We recommend using our 42mm wooden spinner saver to protect the knock-on caps (spinners) when using a copper and hide hammer. Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners. |
Continental style octagonal spinner Requires a spinner spanner to tighten/loosen caps. Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners. |
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| Retaining Nuts | |||
| Extra Information | |||
| Other comments | For further information or advice contact the manufacturer, Merlin Sports Cars, or the Merlin Owners' Club The first 2 vehicles were named after the manufacturer, Leonard Witton. The name "Tiger" appeared with the production of the Tiger Roadster in the late 70s in the USA (without permission of Mr Witton - production was therefore stopped). In 1980, Peter Gowing imported 2 Tiger shells to the UK. One was used to manufacture Merlin TA ("Trans-Axle"), based on VW - however, only one was ever produced. Using the second shell, the Merlin TF ("Type Ford") was manufactured, based on Ford Cortina, and was produced until 1984. With the export of the Merlin TF to South Africa in 1985, the Lynx Roadster was born, based on Ford Cortina Mk 3/4 mechanics. At the same time, the Merlin Plus Two (or Merlin +2, Merlin 2+2), which was launched in 1983 as "Monro" and renamed in 1985), replaced the TF in the UK. This vehicle was based on Ford Cortina and Sierra (= Merlin iRS). About 650 were made until production stopped in 1998. The Merlin is available in various versions, based on Ford Taurus or Ford Sierra, with Ford 4 or 6 cylinder OHC engine or Rover 2.0 16 valve OHC, 3.9 V8 or 4.6 V8 engine Always check the history of the vehicle to ensure that there have been no modifications to the running gear. Hubs/splines, spinners and nuts remain the same, unless noted otherwise, regardless of which wheel is fitted. We also stock wire wheel maintenance accessories such as our Cleaning Kit (Refills available), Cleaning Brush, Degreaser and Tyre Foam. If you require any more information or advice please contact us: UK - 01753 549 360 - e-mail Sales (info@mwsint.com) Overseas - +44 1753 598 382 - e-mail Isabella (isabella@mwsint.com) |
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| Pictures |
 XW480 Chrome |
 XW480 Silver-painted |
 XW457 Chrome |
 XW457 Silver-painted |
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 XW457 Black-painted |
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