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Borrani Americas |
History of Borrani Wire Wheels
In April 1922, a new company called ‘Rudge Whitworth Milano’ was established in Milan, Italy. The owner of the company was Carlo Borrani. Rudge Whitworth Borrani specialized in the production and sale of wire wheels for automobiles and motorcycles. This was the beginning of the remarkable Borrani wire wheel story.
Production started with a license from Rudge Whitworth in Coventry, England, an engineering company who owned a patent for mounting a wire wheel on a hub using a unique splined drum, fixed by one central locking nut. The invention of the ‘splined hub’, as we know it today, allowed more efficient installation and removal of the wheel. This revolutionary wheel design quickly attracted interest from the most important racing and sports car constructors of the day. After just 12 months in business, Alfa Romeo, Auto Union, Bianchi and Lancia began equipping their racing and luxury cars with Borrani wire wheels. In the 1930’s Borrani began experimenting with a lightweight, ultra strong aluminium rim, which eventually replaced the much heavier pressed steel rims of the past.
By 1955, ten percent of Borrani wire wheel production was devoted to racing cars. Ferrari was Borrani’s biggest customer at that time, and the alliance dated back to 1924 when a young Enzo Ferrari competed in (and won) the Acerbo Cup in Pescara, Italy, in an Alfa Romeo equipped with Rudge Whitworth Milano wire wheels. The Ferrari/Borrani collaboration was a relationship that was to last for more than six decades. Borrani wire wheels were either standard equipment, or installed as an optional upgrade, on some of the world’s greatest cars, including Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, and of course many others.
The Present Day
The company, now called Ruote Borrani, still manufactures the world’s finest wire wheels in their factory on the outskirts of Milan. The wheels are hand built by some of the most experienced and talented artisans in the automotive world. The factory is a delightful mix of ancient and state of the art machinery, and the entire manufacturing process is a joy to behold. Every wheel is made to order and is identifiable and traceable by serial number and certification of authenticity.
Borrani wire wheels combine stunning looks and ultimate construction quality with significant weight reduction and advanced technical features, for dramatically improved handling and longevity. The unique aluminium rims are spun from a single piece of high grade alloy, requiring no welded seams. Unsprung mass is reduced by 25% when compared to a steel wheel, and the tangential arrangement of Borrani spokes allows the wheel to absorb the huge forces acting upon it, without ever getting out of tune. Borrani wire wheels are not just beautiful – they will outlast and outperform any other wire wheel option on the market.
Ruote Borrani holds almost 8,500 original wheel design drawings. Furthermore, with custom wheel design being a hallmark of the Borrani service, that number is growing all the time. Borrani would be pleased to design and construct a custom, one-off wheel, just for you.
Borrani Americas
Classic Jaguar (Team CJ) is extremely proud to have been appointed as an authorized Borrani distributor for North, Central and South America. With a deep appreciation for almost a century of Borrani quality, success and tradition, we are delighted to represent Ruote Borrani here in the Americas. We can supply any existing Borrani part number, for any make of vehicle, and we are also happy to assist with custom requests, at no additional charge.
The table below lists some of the more popular choices for Jaguar and Aston Martin, although please note that we have literally hundreds of other design options available. If you do not see the Borrani wire wheel that you are looking for listed below, please don’t hesitate to contact us for additional information and options.
All Borrani wheels are made to order. Please allow 6 weeks for delivery.
| Car and description | Photo | Price each | Add to cart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar XK120, XK140, XK150 | |||
| RW 2623/3 – (16 x 5.5), 72 spokes, triple laced center and outer, standard fit. Note: This stunning wheel has been designed for the XK 120/140/150 owner looking for increased strength, performance and style.Recommended tire options – 185VR16 Pirelli Cinturato (radial) or 185SR16 Michelin X (radial) or 600 H16 Dunlop RS5 (bias ply) |
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$2,100 | |
| Jaguar E Type – Series 1 and 2 (all 6 cyl) | |||
| RW 3585 – (15 x 5), 72 spokes, 2 rows laced center and outer (OEM look), 95mm back space, standard fit. Note: For the 6 cylinder E Type owner who wishes to retain a more conventional look with a standard width track, rim and tire.Recommended tire options – Dunlop 185/VR15 SP Sport or 185/VR15 Michelin XVS |
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$2,100 | |
| RW 4441 – (15 x 6), 72 spokes, 2 rows laced center and outer (OEM look), 98mm back space, standard fit. Note: For the 6 cylinder E Type owner who wishes to retain a fairly conventional look but is looking for the improved handling provided by the extra rim width and wider tire.Recommended tire options – Dunlop ER/70R15 SP Sport or Michelin 205/70VR15 XWX |
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$2,100 | |
| RW 3664 – (15 x 6), 72 spokes, triple laced to inner and outer rim, 95mm back space, standard fit. The inner and outer triple laced design is the classic ‘Borrani’ race look which is also much stronger than a two row, conventionally laced wheel. Note: For the performance minded 6 cylinder E Type owner that wants a slightly wider wheel, track and tire. A stunning look with increased strength, performance and longevity.Recommended tire options – Dunlop ER/70R15 SP Sport or Michelin 205/70VR15 XWX |
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$2,100 | |
| RW 4602/CJ – (15 x 6), 72 spokes, triple laced, special mounting pattern for outer spokes, polished alloy rim with solid/machined center piece and heavy duty spokes. Overall track increased by 1 inch, standard fit. Note: This is an exclusive Team CJ signature design featuring the look of a traditional Dunlop Competition wheel, executed in the classic Borrani race style.Recommended tire options – Dunlop ER/70R15 SP Sport or Michelin 205/70VR15 XWX |
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$2,100 | |
| RW 4012/1 – (15 x 6.5), 72 spokes, triple center laced, deep dished outer rim, heavy duty rim to allow direct drilling (no dimples), heavy duty spokes. Overall track increased by 7/8 inch, standard fit. Note: For the performance minded E Type owner that likes the look of a center laced wheel with increased strength, performance and longevity.Recommended tire options – Dunlop ER/70R15 SP Sport or Michelin 205/70VR15 XWX |
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$2,100 | |
| Jaguar E Type – Series 3 (all V12) | |||
| RW 4012 – (15 x 6), 72 spokes, 2 rows laced center and outer (OEM look), 110mm back space, standard fit. Note: For the V12 E Type owner who wishes to retain a more conventional look with a standard width track, rim and tire.Recommended tire options – Dunlop ER/70R15 SP Sport or Michelin 205/70VR15 XWX |
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$2,480 | |
| Spinners for Jaguar | |||
| DB 4239 – 2 eared Borrani spinner for Jaguar | |
$400 | |
| DB 3128 – 3 eared Borrani spinner for Jaguar |  |
$400 | |
| Aston Martin DB Mk III | |||
| RW 3511 – (16 x 5), 72 spokes, 2 rows laced center and outer (OEM look), standard fit. |  |
$2,900 | |
| Aston Martin DB4 | |||
| RW 3696 – (16 x 5), 72 spokes, triple laced center and outer, standard fit. |  |
$2,900 | |
| RW 3725 – (16 x 5.5), 72 spokes, triple laced center and outer, standard fit. This wheel was original equipment on the SWB DB4GT. |  |
$2,900 | |
| RW 3725/1 – (16 x 6), 72 spokes, triple laced center and outer, original track width, standard fit. |  |
$2,900 | |
| Aston Martin DB5 and DB6 | |||
| RW 3835 – (15 x 5.5), 72 spokes, 2 rows of spokes, laced center and outer, standard fit. |  |
$2,900 | |
| RW 3813 – (15 x 6.5), 72 spokes, triple center laced with deep outer rim, standard fit. | |
$2,900 | |
| Spinners for Aston Martin | |||
| DB 3127 – 3 eared Borrani spinner for Aston Martin | |
$400 | |