Agreed! Some might argue that my coupe isn't "traditional" (even though my father started building it in 1954) ... but we ran a set of magnesium American Racing Equipment 5-spokes on the coupe throughout the 60's & 70's (1963 through 1981 to be exact). The fronts (15x4's) are called Torq Thrust "Le Mans" ... and the rears (15x8.5's) are obviously of the original Torq Thrust design ... 1963-64 (fronts only) 1964 (rears mounted on Bruce's slicks) Late 60's (mounted on Goodyear Blue Streaks) February 1973 (all polished up for the GNRS) September 1975 ... and yes, I still have them ... but no, they are NOT For Sale!
I could stare at those pie-crusts and five-spokes all day. Yes, I would say that this image defines "traditional." The Blue Streaks look pretty damn good too--wish someone would repop those.
American made 2 styles of aluminum spokes even before the "modified" 5 spoke made for the new 65 Corvette with disc brakes. The top one has the noticeable peak down the center. The bottom one is more rounded. Yes they are both Americans...they say so on the back.
AR Torque Thrusts are definately timeless. Originals found at swaps, etc or new ones from a shop. No matter what, for a nice clean set it will cost you. Places like wheelsforless.com offer freeshipping, but you had better know exactly what you need. Searched the Team 3 Cl***ic Five Wheels and you really have to pay for those. I will do my shopping for a polished set at the local swaps or local online private ads.
5 spokes are like Schwinn Stingrays... a new design that had no rival and then everybody and their brother copied them and they became the standard for years. I think what the world needs is more 5 spokes.
Thanks for your comment! .......Tires are radials / fronts: 165HR15 XAS Michelin , 25.6" tall , rears: 235/75R15 XW4 Michelin , 29" tall..........Z.D.
The Torque Thrust was introduced in 1956?? I never thought that even the real "MAG" ones were introduced that eary? Any body got pictures?? I must see!!
Great pic HEMI32, she looks beautiful! But my favorite is still the first one, taken in the '5o's in your dad's college days, outside his house.
Thanks man, those look great on there. Reason I asked was I'm trying to make my car look like it did back in the 60's. But they don't make these old tires anymore!
Thanks guys, I love the 5 spokes too, and they're not going anywhere, but everyone is running the new TT 2's and I thought I would try something different for a while.
Very traditional obviously. Word to the wise, do not sent money to torqthrust.terry as I was RIPPED OFF when I tried to buy repo center caps. He has ripped others off on Efay besided myself. He's a crook. FYI
i'm digging the fact that E-T is offering a 15x4 in the Cl***ic 5. their web site does not give bolt pattern information though. is a 5 x 5 1/5 a possibility?
I'd run them on any of my vehicles - '66 Dodge Coronet, '56 Plymouth wagon, '48 Chevy Aerosedan, '65 Chevy C-10 panel delivery (converted to five-lug)...AND I'll run the "gay-looking curved spoke "wannabes"" if I want to - unless one of you wants to pony up about $800 for some new TT-D wheels for me!!! (actually, mine are Crestlines and are just as right as a TT-D is!)
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