The NB auto's special wheel

[greenMachine]

This thread stems from my attempt to sell a set of wheels I believed were from a NB8A automatic. Not quite unicorns, but probably a species on the endangered list. These wheels were purchased (probably from the FS ads here), and I believed I was told they were from an auto NB8A - certainly I liked them enough to stump up the readies. This would have been in the early oughties. I subsequently sold them to a mate, and they are now back on the market. Long story short, there have been questions over the validity of the claim that they originated on an NB8A auto.

Thanks to manga_blue, we now know that they are part no. 965H-6050 (BUFF FINISHING) (manual wheels p/n 9965F-6050 (SILVER)).

This is the wheel:


However, while the finish is different, they appear to be quite different castings and not just a tarted up manual wheel.
Manual wheel


Auto wheel





Comparison of the wheel identifying marks on the reverse side


It is possible that those casting marks do not tell the full story. However it seems reasonable that Mazda chose a different supplier for the smaller quantities, and let Enkei get on with the volume production.

[greenMachine]

There remains one further question. Did these wheels come on the NB8B autos?

A response to an ad I placed elsewhere said that these wheels were on his auto NB8B. This is surprising, since the NB8Bs came with 'sport brakes' which required larger wheels with more clearance for the calipers. However, perhaps NB8B autos came with the NB8A brakes, in which case there would be no problem with fitment.

I have reached out to this person, and when I get a reply I will update this thread.

In the meantime, any further light that anyone can shed would be appreciated.

[93_Clubman]

GM, can confirm ADM NB8B auto came with NB8A brakes as about 4 years ago bought a pair of rear calipers from lucmor444, who in turn bought them from Yahn who sells MX5 cars & parts on Gumtree. Checked with Yahn to complete the loop as they needed to be the same as NA8 rear calipers, which they were.
lucmor444's FS ad: https://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=74258
My FS ad: https://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=76564

[greenMachine]

Thanks for that confirmation Clubman. Just shows that there is always something to learn!

[greenMachine]

Photo evidence, a 2003 auto, also a 2002 auto on Carsales.

The 2003 has all the NB8b features: ABS, VVT, NB8B nose, high back seats "and 15" alloy wheels"



(That's a nice looking car, if you are looking for an auto MX5)