Vintage Wheels

[427TJ]

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I remember these wheels riding in the trunk of my '57 when we moved into the current house in 1972.

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Torq-Thrusts on a '57--what a classic combination. Add a 327 dual-four Corvette engine, 4-speed, 4:11s, white fenderwell headers, diamond tuck, traction masters, US Royal Masters (taller in back), glasspacks, chrome exhaust tips out the back.

[Verne_Frantz]

Yes, a lesson learned for some. The originals had that goldish-brown color on the spokes - not what is usually seen today on "retro" Day-2 cars. Most of them have smoke gray or charcoal gray spokes. Not period correct.......

[camarojoe]

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Yes, a lesson learned for some. The originals had that goldish-brown color on the spokes - not what is usually seen today on "retro" Day-2 cars. Most of them have smoke gray or charcoal gray spokes. Not period correct.......

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Not entirely true. While some Americans did indeed have the "goldish" cast finish, some definitely did not, and were natural silver in the spoke area. I have seen "NOS in the box" ones both ways. I think it may have to do with the specific year of manufacture. Also, some Torq Thrust copies from the same period, in which there there many, had darker charcoal colored spokes. I believe many A/P torq thrust wheels were factory finished this way.

[BillD]

That is great information on the spoke colors. I have a set (American TT D)with natural color (bare) spokes and did not know if they should be painted or left alone. I guess I leave them alone.

[427TJ]

October, 1962 ad announcing Torq-Thrust wheels for street use.

[427TJ]

Early Torq-Thrust look-alike (rip-off, copy) ET wheel offered by the Wheel Centre. August, 1964.

[ORIGLS6]

I agree Joey. Weren't the original 'Mag' wheels more of a gold color? As I recall, none of the American TTs were painted. They had a natural finish on the spokes, but some (maybe depending on the year of production) had the gold tint while others were gray. A guy here in town had a full set of 14 x 6s on his new '68 Fairlane and they were the gray finish. Mine (14 x 7s)are definitely in the '67 to '69 range but I honestly can't remember when I bought them.
I also had a set of Keystone copies. They had aluminum faces but were welded to steel rims. Those spokes were darker, and definitely painted. I ran those on a White '65 Impala.

[427TJ]

Mickey Thompson Rader wheel. August, 1964.

[427TJ]

Astro Wheels ad. August, 1964.

[427TJ]

Ansen Torq-Thrust look-alike, March, 1964.