Appliance or US Indy style "American Racing Equipment Torq Thrust D Rims"

[68 DANA]

Searching for information that clearly identifies these 60's style rims. Many folks refer to them as Appliance rims and others refer to them as US Indy rims. These rims are very similar in appearance to the American Racing Equipment Torq Thrust D rims. There is no American Racing Equipment Torq Thrust 'D" script on the back side of the rim.

Any clarification or literature identifying these rims would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks !

[olredalert]

----Man, Those really look like American D's. I bought a set new in 66 from Jeg at Jegs Automotive and I just cant remember if they had any label on the back. I believe that the center ribs on the back are very similar too. I have two sets of original 14 by 7 Torque Thrust straight spokes. I was told by the sellers of both sets that they were 67s and they both have the big letter American Racing cast on the back side as well as the size. Not definitive, but you still have a good looking set on that Vette. Are there any spacers involved with your installation? That might help……..Bill S

[68 DANA]

The corvette that I posted is a fellow member's ride on the (Corvette Forum). No spacer required to clear the calipers. In discussion with him he was told they were very early US Mag rims. They are very similar if not exact in appearance to the American Racing Equipment Torq Thrust "D" rims. I know early American Racing Equipment Torq Thrust Magnesium "D" rims do not have the company's information/script on the backside of the rims but they do have a label (sticker) on the inner lip of the rim. When the very early American Racing Equipment Torq Thrust Magnesium "D" rims came to market the company did not have a patent on those rims and as a result other manufacturers where making there own "version" and selling them.

[68 DANA]

Any opinions on who manufactured the rims?

[scuncio]

They are Appliance. Basically a near identical knockoff of a TTD.

I have a set of 15x6” Appliance TTDs that I can dig out this weekend if you need pics.

[68 DANA]

Finding literature or vintage ads that identified the TTD knockoffs rims as being manufactured by Appliance was presenting a challenge. Posting pictures would be great!

Thanks Tony...much appreciated!

[scuncio]

I guess I did have a few pics. Unfortunately I had to trash the old Appliance "A/P" caps because they were just shot.

https://photos.smugmug.com/SYc-Site/i-KJXFHSW/0/fa7c02ba/X3/IMG_0226-X3.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/SYc-Site/i-SdJxb4C/0/cd2bc931/X3/IMG_0229-X3.jpg

[scuncio]

By the way, you can see where the wheels in your pics were clearanced to the calipers. Look around the outer diameter of the hub side of the lug area where the wheels you show are chamfered and compare to my wheel shown in the pic. These wheels will not clear the early Corvette/Camaro 4-piston calipers without a spacer, unless you relieve the hub area as shown.

[68 DANA]

I see exactly what you are referring to. From my research so far, these rims were introduced around 1965-66. The picture of the corvette doesn't have a spacer installed. I would imagine the rims were machined in lieu of using a spacer. I do not recall two style of rims being manufactured; with and without the relief.

Have you seen any literature listing these TTD Appliance rims?

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Weren't Appliance wheels labeled as such, along with 'Made in Japan', on the back side? I know mine are....

[novadude]

I wish they still made a 15x6 TTD style wheel with a lot of backspace like the early vette wheels. Would be prefect for an early Chevy II. Every one-piece cast wheel today is either zero offset, or offset the wrong way.

[scuncio]

Weren't Appliance wheels labeled as such, along with 'Made in Japan', on the back side? I know mine are....

The straight spoke wheels were, but not the Ds.

[68 DANA]

There is not a lot of information/literature out there on the Appliance wheels. Has anyone seen a vintage Appliance catalog from the 60's?

[68 DANA]

Any suggestions where to locate an Appliance wheel catalog(s)?

Thanks!