Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing

[68l30]

I just finished a set of Americans,old style straight spoke,and the total price is close to what a new set would cost.It does take some time to find a good set to start with,but the wait is worth the results.You will always know the reproduction wheels are just that.....


Steve

[JoeC]

There are some nice old pictures on this web site that may be of interest. One shows a close up of an original American wheel. Also nice Corvette and Camaro period pictures.

http://www.67fso.com

[69L89396]

What is the correct backset for these wheels?

[AWSM502]

Hello Everyone,

Well, it has been a full two years since I posted this originally, and I still have not purchased my wheels yet!

I was just wondering if there were any fresh opinions on new wheel manufactures, and the new American Racing TTO's.

Also, backspacing is still an open issue, what are you all running with the 15x7 TTD's or Vintage Wheel 5 Spokes?

Is anyone running the 15x8.5's with 255/60's? I run 15x8's with 4.5" backspacing with 255/60's on the back of my '69 SS and they fit perfect, but that combination does not seem to be offered in an off-the-shelf TTD style wheel.

One last request: Does anyone have a good photo of a black and white '69 with TTD's?

Thanks and Regards!

[Supercar_Kid]

The new American TTO's are somewhat more appropriate looking than the current modern Torq Thrust wheel, but they're still a far cry from a vintage wheel in my opinion. The "Torq-Thrust Original" aka TTO does have straight spokes and an as cast center, however they also have the larger hub and center cap to fit later model vehicles, as well as the taper seat lug recesses as opposed to the shank and washer style of the 60's. On a vintage car they certainly look better than modern dull gray curved spokes, but they aren't going to fool anyone who knows their vintage stuff. I guess that can be said for any modern reproduction part though. Personally, I'd try my best to find a set of nice straight peaked spoke Americans or a comparable copy and have them professionally restored. They're hard to find, and more expensive in the long run than a modern wheel for sure, but they aren't impossible to obtain. There's just no beating vintage wheel on a vintage car. Happy hunting.

[waynemiller]

I bought a set of PS Engineering Wheels. They are in Cali, have to get you the number later. His 5 spokes are correct for the 60's. I have them on my 69 Z, 15x4 front 15x8.5 with 4.5 b/s. They look awesome, I have a 275-60-15 on the rear. The wheels have no wheel weights on them, no vibration at all! chechout my website on fotki.com look under search and type in blownz I have several pics there of the wheels. They are powdercoater silver on the spokes and polished outers.

[Supercar_Kid]

While an attractive wheel in their own right, the PS Engineering wheels are hardly a match for the Atlas wheels used by Yenko or even early Americans for that matter. The spokes are curved away from the calipers and then inward towards the rim, like a "D" and hence the term D spokes. Atlas mags and early "straight spoke" Americans are not like this. Their spokes are straight from hub to rim, and while American wheels came in many variations including peaked and rounded spokes, the Yenko Atlas mags have a very distinct peaked spoke. Also, it's hard to tell from the pics but the PS Engineering wheels appear to be of a 2 piece design, like a modern Torq Thrust 2. While a 2 piece wheel allows for unlimited configurations of front and backspacing, it doesn't provide that authentic vintage look. There's just no faking an old wheel IMO. Keep hunting, vintage 15"s are a little tougher to find but if you're patient a set will turn up.

[Belair62]

SK ,what he really needs is backspacing opinions...I know your bro went thru some set-ups on his Camaro to get an idea of what width/backspace may be best for Camaro...you can put about anything on a Chevelle but that front end of a Camaro needs the right spacing...

[Pantera]

What about the keystone mags of that era? Does nobody ever use them?


Also I think I have a pair of Ansen real knockoff gray spokes that I used to run on my 62 V8 Nova that I used to street race. Would they be of any value? I was kinda thinking of using them on the front of my L-78 69 Nova. I know that they are period correct as that is when I was using them till I put a straight axle under the Deuce and they would not fit anymore.

Pantera

[TDW]

SK...If I email you a pic of a TT wheel, would you be able to identify it for me? I don't know how to put a picture here. Thanks