Thread: Yenko Wheels
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Old 03-29-2006, 10:31 PM
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427TJ 427TJ is offline
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Default Re: Yenko/Atlas Wheels

Thanks Marlin, looks like an original unrestored set too.

Chuck, when I went to get my wheels I talked with the wheel guy for two hours. He had old TT's and new TT D and TTO wheels and we discussed all the differences between them.

Both the new TTO, or Torq Thrust Original, and the '90s D-spoke are not an exact copy of the popular 1960s wheel we all know and love. Both the TTO and the D lack the machined 'lip' or step-down between the polished outer rim area and the as-cast spoke area. The TTO and the Torq Thrust D (released back in the '90s) also have a larger hub to accomodate application on newer vehicles and that means that the center cap bolt spacing is a larger diameter than the old ones. Most people can't tell the difference but once you learn them the differences pop right out at you. The D-spoke version currently available is for disc brake applications but until recently they would not work on mid-year Corvettes, according to the guy I bought my wheels from. He says that American is supposed to, or already has (can't remember which), re-worked the D-spoke to fit mid-year Vettes.

American Racing has been advised that most of us want original 1960s type TT's but I guess there's too many 20-something manager types at AR who don't get it when it comes to what we the people want. That's why I ponied-up for the original restored '60s wheels. AR is also tooling up for a remake of the Vector wheel since the Dukes movie and General Lee Charger fever has been revived. I guess AR is trying to do the Vector wheel on the cheap too and not just exactly as the '70s version was.

Here's a pic of one of my new (old) TT's I bought over the weekend, this one's a 15x6.


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