The secrets of the '94-'97 MX5 OEM Wheels:
Hollow Spoke and Solid Spoke

by Julian Manolov

The Hollow-Spoke shown here are from '94 A-package Miata.
The Solid-Spoke ones are from '94 C-package Miata.

Both Hollow-and Solid-Spoke wheels have the same Toyo T1S 195/55/14 tires mounted.

The weight of the Hollow-Spoke combo was 26 lbs and the weight of the Solid-Spoke combo was 28lbs, on the same bathroom scale. Although the scale is not strictly accurate for absolute numbers, it is accurate enough to show the weight difference between the two.

How can the wheels recognized?

From the back side: The spokes of Hollow-Spoke and Solid-Spoke wheels have different shape (look at the pics below)
From the outer side: The wheels look the same except the writings between the spokes are different (check the writings info below)

Warning!
Some people sell the Solid-Spoke (weight around 12lbs) for more money, advertising these as the lighter (weight around 10lbs) Hollow-Spoke version (because both look very similar and both have part of the spokes hollow but can be recognized from each other easy). To know which wheels you are getting - check the back side of the spokes and the writings pattern (on the front side between the spokes) and compare to the info/pics below !

Click on each picture for a bigger version!

Solid-Spoke (left) and Hollow-Spoke (right) side by side

On all side by side pictures:
On the left side - Solid-Spoke wheel
On the right side - Hollow-Spoke wheel

The Hollow-Spoke Wheel

The back side of the spokes of Hollow-Spoke wheel

From the front side the Hollow-Spoke wheel can be recognized from the writings between the spokes.
Starting from the valve stem going clockwise between the spokes:
<the valve stem> - <blank> - 13 - <blank> - 14x6JJ 45 - <blank> - JWL - <the valve stem>

Hollow-Spoke wheel with Toyo T1S 195/55/14 tire on the scale: 26 lbs

The Solid-Spoke Wheel

The back side of the spokes of Solid-Spoke wheel

From the front side the Solid-Spoke wheel can be recognized from the writings between the spokes.
Starting from the valve stem going clockwise between the spokes:
<the valve stem> - 45 - <blank> - JWL - 13 - <blank> - 14x6 JJ - <the valve stem>

Solid-Spoke wheel with Toyo T1S 195/55/14 tire on the scale: 28 lbs

Below is a third kind of wheel which is more rare. These came stock on a '95 auto-gearbox Miata.
The shape of the back of the spokes resembles the Hollow-Spoke wheels, but is a little bit different - all the holes are smaller, the spoke walls are thicker and the wheels are heavier than the Hollow-Spoke ones.
Lets call them Semi-Hollow-Spoke

These wheels are not chrome stock. The chrome layer in this case has been done by the Mazda dealer.

More images of this wheel:

Lettering - clockwise from the valve stem::

Front: 13, blank, 14X6JJ 46, blank, blank, JWL, valve stem

On the back is ENKEI 3, 14X6JJ 45, AJ31 NA, 93/8 31/2.

Weight: 12.4 lbs