Thought I'd tap into the HAMB brain trust and see if the folks here know which brands of new wheels currently available are really made in the States. I've been looking for some front skinnys for awhile and have found out that maybe some of them really aren't American. Needless to say we're talking vintage looking wheels, not rice burner stuff.
I think that Weld has not gone off shore yet but I doubt that they make anything that you would want. There is an option that a lot of us have taken that works real well. We use the real deal as much as possible. What kind of wheels are you looking for? The Wheel Kid here on the HAMB still sells American made wheels. I don't know if his hoops and centers are stamped and rolled here but the wheels themselves are made here.
Ours are made in the USA. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/new-astro-howard-style-chrome-slot-wheels.970413/
Link for the nostalgic Rebel wheels, apparently there are two companies named Rebel and one makes truck wheels: http://www.americanrebelmfg.com/ Link for Real Rodders Wheels http://www.realrodderswheels.biz/ Not sure what I want for the front, I have some 200S and some 5 spokes for the rear, don't necessarily have to match.
Centerline-Santa Fe Springs (LA) Ca. American Eagle (Boss, etc.)- Ca, S. Carolina; http://www.americaneaglewheel.com/page.cfm?t=manufacturing&id=13 Wheel Vintiques-City of Industry (LA), Ca. https://www.wheelvintiques.com/ I believe Mickey Thompson may have gone off shore. What about the new E/T wheels? Some of the (off topic) off road wheels such as Raceline are made domestically.
There is a guy who deals in and restores old wheels. Never dealt with him, but seems to have a good rep in the OT muscle car world. Seemingly lots of varied inventory. Detroitvintagewheels.com
Trying to contact both E/T and Rocket to make sure they are made in the USA. Had heard that some wheels might be cast in China and machined here. The American Eagle series 111 which are 5 spoke Torq Thrust style seem to very popular due to there low cost.
Vintage Engineering http://www.vintageeng.com/ http://www.vintageeng.com/MagWheels_TransAmIndyRodDrag.html
E/T and Rocket have their wheels cast offshore. Probably in China. E/T does machine their wheels here in the US. US Mags is indeed made in China - at least the nostalgic wheels we are interested in.
The economy isn't doing so good in China.....it might be hard to get some of the wheels they manufacture, as I heard they laid off the whole second grade.
If you want vintage-looking wheels, why limit yourself to new wheels? Why not actually shop for real vintage wheels? HAMB ads, Ebay and craigslist are full of 'em.
It is difficult to find some wheels with the correct offset or that will accept disc brakes. And most of the old magnesium wheels are not really roadworthy.
Real Rodders Wheels are a good buy at Speedway. Sprint wheel 15 x 5.5 for $279.99 and 15 x 10 Sprint wheel for $329.99. Both free shipping. Great price for an American made wheel.
Are those prices a pair ?^^^^^am cheap lol. No way Jose that I would pay that. Glad I have multiples of vintage wheels.
I recently bought some polished American Rebel wheels, 15X4.5 and 15X10 and the quality was excellent. I believe they're poured in the LA area? I've also had some Vintage Wheels US kidney beans in the past and they were also excellent quality.
They are extremely nice. The finish is excellent although I did have to polish the back lip of the wheel (it's what I do, I have issues). The adapters and knock offs are excellent and like someone pointed out the other day, they include the safety pin to prevent the knock offs from falling off. I like the fact that they don't say socal in the casting and they come in staggered 15/16 fitment.
The Jalopy Journal
