'60s Torq-Thrust Ds
 

What is the going rate on a set of 15x7s or 15x8s? There is a super, super nice set for sale on ebay (see below) but I'm talking a decent original set that would need to be restored for show.

1960s Torq Thrust D 15x6

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/l44AAO...4a/s-l1600.jpg

$1,000-$1,400

Thanks, the restorable sets I've seen have been between $1600-2000.

i have a set but mine just say japan on the inside not american racing?

I believe the 'JAPAN' wheels are Appliance brand. They are every bit as nice as the Americans.

I paid a little over 2000 for a survivor set a few years ago. I wanted nice enough to use without restoration. They were a pair of 15-6 and a pair of 15-7. They all have "American Racing" cast on the back side. I paid a premium to have American Racing cast in the back. I don't know why as the Appliance brand wheels look just as good. I don't think they bring the money they used to.

That's an easy one... Who wants Made in Japan on their 60s muscle car?

This specific wheel is designed for the C2 corvette. It has a pouch in the spoke that's very close to the outer rim. You can see the notch in the spoke on the inner side. There are very few choices for the stock C2s and this is the only torque thrust wheel that'll clear the calipers. That's why they are so valuable.

Jer..
Would those be the same dual piston calipers that reside on 1968 Z 2/8's (J52 option)?
I have never been able to fit any type of TT wheels even the curved spoke variants.. on my Z regardless of backspacing or diameter since they all bind on the calipers when close to finally being tightened up..
American Racing area Rep. I spoke to a few years back at a race in Chicago offered me a great pricing on some brand new TT d's- but couldn't even explain or understand why (who should better know?) when I told him about this, as to what might be the reason..
Randy

yes these are one of the few aftermarket mags that will fit the 68z calipers without spacers..

I'm winging this so take it for what it's worth. I've got these wheels on my '66 vette and the notch clears the calipers by approx. .100" at the outer point of the caliper and around the face. These calipers are different from your '68 Camaro calipers but they're also for the 15 inch wheels whereas your Camaro would have the same calipers for the Z28 vs. any other Camaro or chevelle with the 14 inch wheels. You'd assume the clearance is greater for that reason, but again, I've never been down that path so you'd be wise to do more research.
As for value, these "crows foot" D wheels are designed for the vette and the vette guys are savvy to it. I just hinted I was looking for a different wheel for mine and I had a half a dozen offers on my current set. I also know the current offerings won't work on a vette, but maybe on a Camaro???

Pretty certain none of the modern American TTs will work on a 4-piston caliper (early Corvette and 67-68 Camaro/Chevelle/Impala).

I do know the 60s-70s TTDs, Appliance TTD copies, E/T I mags, and early Cragar G/Ts will work with the 4-piston calipers without a spacer.

i have a set i would like to sell if anyone is looking pm me thanks.

My wheels are 15" (the car is in fact a Z 2/8 model) and I have always been told the calipers are the same as the Corvette ones - I actually got a rebuild kit for a Corvette model when I rebuilt them that worked well!
They are not the same calipers that Chevelles and GM cars had that came with 14" wheels for sure and are 4 piston versions and quite large in size obviously..
None of the TT wheels I have tried so far will clear the spokes and I didn't want to use spacers so I never have found any that worked.. and guess I never will!
Guess the low numbers of Corvettes with these same calipers and especially the even lower numbers of '67 & '68 Z 2/8's that are out there certainly doesn't warrant trying to manufacture a version of wheel which has so few possibilities of sales to that limited market..
As for the few early sets that might come up for sale that do fit these applications - I can't justify spending that kind of money.. so I will stick with my 15" rallys - but the look with the TT's really does hit me hard!

Thanks - Randy

Actually the 67-8 Impalas, Chevelles, etc had the same four piston caliper design, and my 67 GTO has then as well, with 14x6 steel wheels, all from the factory....

They are not enormous calipers, but they infringe on the spoke area more than the later single-piston calipers do.

Randy,

My 68 has 15" Torque Thrust D's all around. A local shop installed them for the previous owner back in the 90's and all they did was take a Rolox Disc to buzz down the outer casting surface of the front calipers. Doesn't take much from what I was told and allows you to fit these over 4 piston front calipers.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...8/IMG_2278.jpg

----I did the same thing with a set on a 66 Corvette. And I seem to remember putting thin spacers on as well.......Bill S

5/16" spacers will do the trick. IIRC

Are those 15 X 6's or 7's.. they sure look great on your car.. Is it a Z 2/8 models or SS?
I was always told the disk brake calipers were much larger on the Z 2/8 model verses the SS models..
I certainly would love to have a set like those on mine but to go out and buy some wheels like that on the assumption I could make them fit by grinding on the calipers or the back of the wheels seems kind of drastic..
Any idea what the backspacing is on your wheels - again I love that look I had some on my teal blue SS 396 Chevelle way back and it certainly changed the personality of the car!
With your picture you have me cranked up about this all over again..

----If you had disc brakes on a 67/68 Camaro I believe the calipers were all the same SS or Z........Bill S

Calipers are exactly the same.

It's an RS with the Z/28 RPO added. The P/O used all correct NOS Z/28 parts when he converted it back in the 80's. I probably have the GM receipts for the brake upgrades and will either look them up or will get you the caliper numbers with some pictures of the mods when I pull the front wheels to do the brakes in the next few days.

I'll measure the backspace as well for you but think it has 7's on the front and 8's on the rear. Again, I'll confirm in a couple days when I'm finished installing the new motor for it. Been thrashing on it for 5/6 days now and tomorrow the engine and transmission are finally going back in. :naughty:

Very much appreciate your trouble - mine is in storage for another couple of months until the weather gets decent so no rush obviously - but again Thanks for your offer of further info..
Randy

Not Americans but International Dragmasters from the 1960"s. [With ET center caps...]

These fit disc brakes without issue....

Those are cool looking wheels Jim.

Haven't forgotten about you on this, but not finished buttoning up some new mods here yet. I sent the rad out to be re-cored yesterday and should have it back and running in a couple days. I'll get to doing the brakes when it's running again and will get you some numbers. I did however look at the rims on the 68 car and it appears they are 15" x 7's all around and look to have 3.75 backspacing. It's hard to get an accurate measurement with the wheels still on the car so don't take that verbatim until I get around to pulling them later this week.

Cheers

Again I very much appreciate your trouble - but don't worry about any timeline on the info. My car has endured the stock rally-look for almost 50 years now and over 25 since I became the owner - a week, a month, or even a season works well for me.
Do it only as you get the opportunity and remember - but don't go to any extra trouble.. it is very thoughtful of you!

Part I - Rear Brakes & American TT Wheels

OK, found some time to check things out today as I was installing new shocks and trac bars and started pulling wheels to go through the brakes. So here are the details on the rear brakes and wheels. Rears are stock original drums #3841177 and no spacers were added using 15" x 7" wheels with 3.750 BS

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_5010.jpg
Stock rear drums. No spacers required.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_5018.jpg
These American TT wheels fit great and look totally at home on a 68.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_5022.jpg
Wheels are 15" x 7" with 3.75" Backspacing.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_5013.jpg
Good inside clearance to shocks whether on stock shock plates or aftermarket trac bar applications.

Part II - Front Brakes & Wheels

I only checked one front caliper on passenger side and this car has Delco Morraine 4 piston caliper #5455946 which was an over the counter part to replace the original? I believe these were used on 67 & 68 Chevelle, GTO, Firebirds and differ only in part number from the 67 & 68 Camaro #5455530 & 5455533. There were no spacers on the fronts either. The front caliper/s had one embossed surface buzzed down slightly for the wheels to clear the caliper without the need for a spacer. I suppose you could use aluminum spacers but I've never been a fan of using wheel spacers myself. Mike at Western Corvette mounted these wheels for the P/O many years ago and this was commonly done on these cars to gain clearance for aftermarket wheels on 4 piston calipers. Pretty simple trick to mounting these wheels up. Front wheels match the rear and are also 15" x 7" with 3.750 BS

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_4921.jpg
You can see the raised embossed area was ground slightly to allow the spokes to clear the calipers.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_4922.jpg
Close up showing the smooth part which has been ground slightly.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_5021.jpg
Here I am pointing to the area that was buzzed down with a rolox disc to gain clearance

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_5022.jpg
Same wheels used front and rear. 15" x 7" TT with 3.750 backspacing

For those who like the stance on my 68, here are the tire sizes used. Front are BFG 215/65/R15 and the rears are BFG 255/60/R15 (all on 15x7 wheels as stated above)

I like original wheels too, but these work just great on these cars and they are cheap in comparison of costs or labour required to restore the often pitted originals. Use originals, repops, and use a 1/4" spacer up front if you like. Fact is they look right at home on these cars. Cheers

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_4923.jpg

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_4924.jpg

Graeme -- that Camaro is pretty damn sweet ... thanks for sharing the sizes/pic of the BFGs ... TAZ

Torq thrusts look great on first gen camaros. Your car looks awesome!

----I like the dark center! I have done that several times, but the gold detail is a nice addition......Bill S

I didnt catch it the first time until Bill mentioned it.. I like that.. I might have to steal that idea.. :biggthumpup:

68 caprice wagon with americans
 

my 427 wagon has factory 4 piston callipers that clear original 15x7 torque thrusts

68 el camino americans
 

my 68 L78 Camino has factory discs that clear 15x7's also

I'm totally diggin that Camino. Love the history on it and like that you left it day II. The wagon with the 427 is pretty darn cool too.

That thing is the sheet!

That El Camino is smoking hot, wow, absolutely love it.