1969 spyder wheel spacer

[fifthkid]

I am replacing the 13" wheels and tires with 14" panasports that I bought from IAP. The new wheels wouldn't fit on because the original equipment steel wheel used 2 alignment posts per wheel to hold the wheel in place while I put the bolts in.
However, I removed the alignment posts, but a 1/4" spacer came off. I am trying to find a screw with the same threads and a flat head of some kind to hold the plate on, but nothing is available that I can find. Does anybody have any Ideas?
Just for your info., I purchased this spyder new in "69 for $3,450.00. It has 28,250 miles, all mine, and because 4 children seemed to drain most of my cash, this car just sat in my garage till now. I did have it inspected in 1971,1978, and the last time in 1991. In the beginning, it was my only transportation, then I married, and my wife's 1969 Volkswagen (with an Abarth muffler system) became the family car. My older brother bought a 1973 spider, and my son has made a down payment on a 1982 spider, so now I have to get mine back on the road. I hope I didn't bore anybody.
Let me know if there is an answer out there.

Thanks,
Fifth Kid

[mdrburchette]

Wow, your story is awesome! The original owner of a 69. I'm impressed you kept it so long.
As for your wheel problem. I just cut my locating studs down to accomodate the aftermarket wheels I put on my 72.

[DUCeditor]

I faced the same issue when I put Panasport 14 inch wheels on my spider back in `89. My solution... Each time I have to resinstall the wheels - i.e., whenever I rotate or replace the tires - I simply put the spacer in place and hold it with the first bolt rotated to the twelve oclock position.

It is a nuisance, yes, but one that I've lived with for twenty+ years.

-don

[courtenay]

I also left the locating studs off when I put the US Indy mag wheels on my '72. Makes it a bit tougher to line up the holes for the wheell studs, but they do hold the spacer on. Is there a way you could go to a stud/nut combo to hold the wheels on rather than the existing bolts? Then you could simply hang the spacer and the wheel on the studs and bolt it on.