@Ryan If you do end up lowering it, there are a few tips about locating the axle c/l & geometry on the thread below. Don't get bogged down with the details specific to our build...but there should be some helpful info about lowering your truck. Nice find, and good luck with the search for 15" fronts... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/index.php?threads/531700/ Sent VIA top secret BIGREDTODD Mobile HQ
Possibly the first magnesium wheels that we 5 spoke were made for Warbirds and some ingenious hot rodder saw a cool looking wheel that he decided to copy... This wheel was made by Berial. HRP
I have 14 in frts that are 2 piece like you said and 2 15 in one piece. Also a set of those oval caps that are almost new. Those plastic caps are rare without broken ear holes. Thinking about putting them on my 56 vic
The37Kid : The 1st referance I have ever found, is in Dec. 1959 Hot Rod. In the " whats new" section, page 12. A picture is shown of an American round spoke, undrilled for lugs. The caption reads : Magnesium drag racing wheel, The modified oval spoke design in this new wheel resembles the current aircraft (HRP) wheel designs. The 5 spoke openings make for better castings in addtion to better brake cooling and appearance. The wheel is 10 inches with a 16 inch diameter. Metal patterns used exclusively. $88.00 FOB San Francisco. American Racing Equiptment 681 Florida St. San Francisco 10 California. Hope this fills in the blank.
Since Ryan generally disapproves of my taste in wheels, maybe I should keep it zipped, but what the hell: (1) I, too, would want to replace the 14's and have 15's all the way around. (2) I recall that when ET's first appeared, although they were viewed as knockoffs of Torque Thrusts, I thought that the darker grey on their spokes was better looking than the real Americans.
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