[Rick Parker]

For the record the spline drive was unique to the British Sports car, primarily with wire wheels such as Austin Healy, Mg Midget, Sprite and AC Bristol from which the 289 Cobra was born in 1962. Originally the wheels were relatively narrow without much negative offset. As horsepower increased so did tire & suspension technology hence wider wheels, fenders and ultimately pin drive wheels. Whe the 289 FIA and USRRC cars were created, the wire wheels were deemed out dated/unsafe and pin drive was standard fare. Previously and shortly after their introduction and while earning their reputation, the 260's & 289's were often equipped with wire wheels at the drag strips, but soon afterward the above applied. Spline drive was standard fare for production 260/289 cars. Race cars and all 427's had pin drive with cast wheels. the few British 427 Bodied cars that had the 289 in them (AC 289) also used spline drive wire wheels. I believe the wheels that were on late Austin Healy 3000's were dimensionally the same as those used on the later 289. Cobra.