yenko chevelle wheels

[Stefano]

The early Americans were definately available in Magneseum. My first car a 1965 Plymouth Satellite had a set.
American Racing was cast inside of the wheels.

Has anyone checked out the E T wheels, www.etwheels.com ,I think. Look at the classic 5.

[Edited by Stefano (01-27-2002 at 07:13 PM).]

[68l30]

I just finished restoring a set of old straight spoke Torq Thrusts,one pair from 1965 and another pair from circa 69.The two sets were cast with different molds as there were slight differences in machine dimensions and lug hole sizes.They looked the same to the eye but upon machining them I found the difference.If you can, machine the rear side to clear the caliper before polishing.It has been very hard to find a nice set to restore and get that 1960's day two look.I hate the new D spoke.......


Steve

[Belair62]

The ET's are nice....Bet they are real close to the old ones they used to cast which is darn close to Torq Thrusts....finally a nice looking wheel.

[RVOR]

I am not a big fan of the rally wheel. From a concourse restorastion perspective - listening to all the great comments, the only way to go is a rally wheel or find a set of
the origianl Atlas wheels. It does not sound like anything new is currently being accepted. What do judges have to say at the judged shows?

[JoeC]

I have a 1967 Honest Charlie's catalog and in there are American's, ET's, Mickey Thompson's, and Ansen wheels that all look very similar to the Atlas. The Atlas wheels were not marked, as far as I know, so it is difficult to tell what you are looking at especially in a swap meet environment.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Ron;
I can only speak for the Novas, but the judges at Vette-Fest and the Nova Nationals don't really differentiate between the current ARE-Torq Thrusts vs. the Atlas wheels. I don't think the judges could really distinguish the difference, and they can't spend a lot of time on any one car.

There really isn't a 'diamond level' judging criteria for the Novas, so these types of things will not cause a point deduction at a show. Interestingly, the judges will usually allow headers on a Yenko, but they will deduct for 'stepped' and/or coated versions. I have seen one guy get a deduction for Hooker super-Comps, the judge knew they should have been Doug Thorley's. Other Yenko Nova owners get AACA cert. with AM 8tracks, rear seat speakers and flow-master pipes!?!?!?
M

[Rat_Pack]

Steve, all American Torque Thrusts, T70, T70R, and 200S wheels used there own special lug nut. The diameter of the hole in the wheel was 5/8" dia. instead of the 11/16" dia. which most wheel manufacturers used and still use today. The only other company that I can remember using this diameter hole was M/T. Most people enlarge the holes to accomodate currently available lug nuts as you can no longer buy the correct ones for the original wheels. Also the depth of the shank (not counting the thickness of the washer)was 9/16" which is not made in todays market. To use current lug nuts on original American Torque Thrusts you must have them shortened by a 1/4" at a machine shop..............RatPack...................

[68l30]

Ratpack,you are correct.I used a .6875 end mill to machine the lug holes.I custom made some 304 stainless washers to get the correct depth on the lug nut.The counter bore on the lug hole varies from wheel to wheel,quality control was not what you would expect today.If I didn't get in on the bottom floor of this project cost wise I would have thought twice!

Steve

[RVOR]

Had a chance to look at the ET "0lassic Five"
cast wheel today. It may be an excellent substitute for the original Atlas with the exception of being a 2 piece wheel. I called
Team III Wheels who are the manufacturer and asked for if they had other options. He claimed that was the only straight spoke currently on the market that he knew of. They just so happened to have a 1 piece design in work, due to complete in March. He has picked up a number of vintage wheels from swap meets and is reproducing the ones he thinks enthusiast want. He also stated he has had car clubs in the past give him a wheel that had not been manufactured for years and reproduce it for them. The cost is an initial $3000.00 then approx. $300.00 per wheel.

[Jeff H]

I have a set of Ansen 5 spoke wheels that look similar to the torque thrusts, but they are 15x6 and they clear disc brakes. They were purchased in 68 and put on a 67 Corvette and are in very good condition. Check this site for a bunch of vintage mags http://www.roadsters.com/wheels/#Ansen it's gives some good information.