Hello, Supposedly, these are vintage ARE wheels. I dont see any makers marks, but have been told that ARE didn't always cast their name. They have a lot of good points, but they dont have the center rib cast inside the back of the spokes. I have seen info that this style did have the outer lip ridge on the front side when produced in the 70s. I am NO expert, but would like to know if they are reissues, dupes, straight up counterfeits or other likely makes if anyone is an expert. The interwebs haven't been helpful to me in my search for info. PS: Oh, and if anyone cares to venture a guess of the brand, what early/late decade do you think they are from? thanks, rick
If they are magnesium, they would not have a name cast in them from American Racing. Their original aluminum wheels all do .
Several rip-offs were made as you know. I think Americans have much deeper lug bolt holes. Yours look a lot like my Appliance Torq Thrust wheels. I bought American stockers for my hub covers so I have the necessary look at a price a kid in high school could afford in 1966!!
No brand on the back and that type of lip to me tells me theyre US Mags. The strengthening rib you mention you've seen on the back of some is ***ociated with recessed lug nut holes..normally you'd find "Japan" on the back because they're Appliance wheels.
For reference, here are my American Torq Thrust with a logo. Shallow lug recess, no ribs. American Racing Equipment ALUMINUM TORQ-THRUST WHEEL 8 1/2 X 15 1 1/4 POSITIVE OFFSET
Yep. Bought them in '66. Got the new 8 1/2" x 15" rears and used 6" x 14" fronts from a speed shop in Visalia CA. Subsequently replaced the fronts with repro aluminum 15" x 5" small kidney bean g***er fronts. And had the rears polished.
They look Like Fenton's to me. But they could be Appliance as well. They are not Magnesium, or at least don't look like it from the photos (I've been fooled before though). Only the very early Palamedes lack the American Racing ID. Because they weren't American Racing at this point. At least that's the way it was 'splained to me. There's guys on here that know waaaaaaay more than I. They'll correct the facts if I am off here. But if they are Palamedes, That's Holy Grail stuff. On another note, they are *****in'! Run 'em after you have the Bead Lock Holes filled in. Old Aluminum Wheels with beadlock holes are prone to ugly episodes of failure if there's any weakness in that area. All the best - Tim
I was under the impression that Palamedes were cast with that name, but I seriously doubt that's who made them for the price they are listed. Thanks! -rick
All the Americans I've seen didn't have the valve stem between the spokes. I guess there could be some but I have not seen one.
I believe some of their modern interpretations have the stem there, but I dont know about the vintage ones.
to check if they are magnesium clean a small spot on the back and put a drip of white vinegar on it it will react to magnesium but not to aluminum it reacts quick so be ready to wipe it dry
I have a pair of 15x6 as a set with the 8-1/2". They have the stem between the spokes as there isn't room on the narrower, lower offset wheel to put it farther out. The bevel between the spoke section and wheel lip is also much steeper. Interesting note is that the backside info has Sport instead of Torq-Thrust, otherwise the same ARE script cast in. Possibly early production, the mold was finalized but marketing hadn't conjured the TT name yet?
They look to light in color to be aged magnesium. They are a older wheel by spokes , Does it matter if they are A-Ring Is it a $ thing vs not A-R or building a correct or restored vehicle
It's a bit of both a $ thing and somewhat of a "correct" thing- They're going on my 60 Falcon. I agree, too light for magnesium. I tend to think they are older and I guess I wanted to know if they jump out to someone as a modern dupe of a vintage wheel (not wanting to get overcharged-even if the seller believes their provenance). I'm starting to lean towards them not being A-R, and maybe as others have said, US Mag, Fenton, Appliance, etc. ----in which case, it's just me wanting to learn it's true make. In the end, I like them and as long as they aren't some counterfeit from this century I will be happy with them. (but will always desire to know their make). -rick
The Non magnesium The ones I have had like 68 newer Fenton & A-R where stamped / cast in . I do not know if Older Et's where . By spokes to me who ever brand Not later then early 73 ? I was @ track then to young @ time to pay attention To details like that . Scott @ Et owes rights , Scott a good source for that time era , I seen a few weeks ago where he posted on a thread
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