Bought a set of 5 spoke wheels for rollers over the weekend and trying to identify them. According to my buddy that bought them from a HAMBer several years back, they are Americans and were only made in the late 60’s through early 70’s? Anyway, I need to look them over closer to see what all markings may be on the back, but knew I could also gain knowledge here from the experts. Not sure I have seen Americans with just a push in center cap as compared to the more common ones held on by screws. Whatever the case, the price was right and they are way cooler than some wheels. Thinking they may end up on a 63 Galaxie convertible that I am considering buying for my wife soon.
Yea, that is why I should have likely just went out to the shop and looked at one. I will try to do that in the morning before I go to work and may answer my own question.
Only took about 10 minutes to get an answer...amazing. Would have taken me longer to walk out to the shop and flip them over.
These are the NOS caps that came in the box when the wheels were new. The black and white pic is of the new replacement snap in caps available now. Only the T70 and the T70R used the hex shaped caps.
Should be easy enough to identify if mine say American Racing real big on the back like those. The only downside of these is that they are 14's. I don't typically like 14's, but they can work on some vehicles.
The flange on the spoke is what puzzles me, I've never seen Americans with that flange.I certainly could be wrong, we learn something new every day. Pat
Yep, I was the same way, but learned something when I looked up info on the T70-R's. Sounds like they were a short lived wheel although they are now producing them again from my little bit of searching.
Well, looky here! https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/american-racing-torq-thrust-r-15-7-pics.614197/ They were quite the thing years back, Bob Oney, one of the original group of guys that were known for the "Ohio Look", used them pretty regularly, this was for sure NOT a group that would allow their cars be seen in primer in public, a bit more sophisticated then this crowd.
Yep, that pic is these same wheels. My friend sold the 62 Galaxie that he put them on and the new owner replaced them with something different. And, they came from a HAMBer over in the Tulsa area prior to my friend getting them. Small hot rod world we live in.
one of the most under appreciated of the 5 spoke's from American. I'm sill on the look out for a set of the T70's from back in the day to round out my American 5 spoke collection. I have the Flat spoke Torque Thrusts, set of original Torque Thrust D's, and a set of 200S rims. The lip and push in cap is what makes it!
Here is an odd one, note the double lip on the rim face. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...inum-torq-thrust-gm-5-on-4-3-4”-bolt.1201533/
Here's a pic of a regular (non-rib) T70 that I have. I would guess that it takes the same push in cap as the T70-R. I wish I had the other 3 wheels to go with this single!
Just as a quick follow-up...these do say American Racing Equipment on the back like the others and I could have answered my own question. Good discussion though.
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