Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing

[BillD]

I am reviving this old post as I am just getting around to putting these old torque thrust D's on one of the cars. My question is this. Did the the D's center spokes come painted or were they natural aluminum? If painted does anyone know the correct gray. Also, I need to find the correct metal caps. I am also going to post a photo of what I have (I hope). No luck on the photo as it is too large. Mine have natural (not painted) spokes. Also as to tires I have the repro Good Year E70's but I am thinking about a repro road race tire, if anyone knows if something is available. thanks

[BillD]

Here's a photo to go along with the previous post. The plastic caps have to go. I have to try to find some original metal caps. I also like the looks of running them without center caps.

[Belair62]

Bill are the caps you are using the new plastic ones for the old wheels ? Or the new caps for the new wheels ??? The screw pattern one the latter doesn't line up real good on the old wheels...the metal caps I have are die cast I think and don't have the little ridge where the sticker goes...

[TDW]

Belair...I need 2 of the early metal caps like you describe. Are the ones you have for sale?

[BillD]

Bob: The caps I have came with the wheels so I don't know exactly what I have. But they line up well so I believe they are new caps for the old wheels. I went through so much trouble and expense to get the real wheels, that plastic caps just are not good enough.

[Supercar_Kid]

Bill, I have a set of American Torq Thrusts (straight rounded spokes) that were purchased new in 1969, and they had plastic caps on them since day one. Even had their flat head, bare steel screws still holding them on. It's entirely possible that metal caps were available separately, but there's no shame in running the "new" plastic caps on your D spokes, they're as era correct as the wheels themselves. Both Yenko's Atlas mags, and International Dragmasters came new with metal caps, but American Racing has been using plastic caps on their Torq Thrusts since at least the late 60's.

[BillD]

That is great information about the caps. I would have never guessed that they came with plastic caps 35 years ago. Do you know if the spokes on the originals were natural aluminum or were they painted? Thanks for all the help on this.