Dragmaster International Wheels

[TDW]

I need some information on these wheels. I have done a couple of search's online, but have come up empty. Anyone know where i can find something on them? Thanks.

[Supercar_Kid]

The wheels you are talking about were manufactured by a company called "International" and the model name of this particular wheel is the "Dragmaster." So they're actually "International Dragmasters" just like you'd say "American Torq Thrusts" or "Cragar S/Ss." These Dragmaster wheels were basically a "Torq Thurst Copy" as they've become known today, simply because they were a 5 spoke cast aluminum wheel with a machined lip much like the Torq Thrust wheels made popular by American. They came in a variety of sizes and offsets both 14" and 15" and were available in several bolt patterns as well. Originally they came with steel valve stems and cast metal center caps. I have a few of these wheels myself, including a fully restored set of 14x6" Chevy 4.75" pattern. They are a great wheel IMO, built very well with nice castings and good quality aluminum that seems to have stood the test of time very well. They are also cast with very sharply "peaked" spokes, unlike some early American TT wheels that were available with "rounded" spokes, which is simply a matter of preference. From the front side, they look quite a bit like an authentic Yenko Atlas mag to the untrained eye, but there are specific casting differences that make spotting the International Dragmaster very easy to someone who knows that they're looking for. A great wheel that is still available if you scrounge around, but complete matching sets are getting difficult to find. I may have an extra pair of 14x6" Chevy wheels lying around, if you can use them shoot me a PM. Attached are some pics of what these Dragmaster wheels look like. Also, don't confuse them with American Racing "Dragmaster" wheels, they're a much different 6 slotted aluminum mag made by American. At least one '70 Motion 454 Camaro was sold new with the American Dragmasters.

[Supercar_Kid]

Casting marks

[Supercar_Kid]

Another

[TDW]

SK...Thanks.Great info. I may have found a complete set of 4, 15x8, that were installed on a 66 vette in 69. All 4 wheels for 400. Sound reasonable? Do you know if they will clear the early Z28 4 piston calipers?

[Supercar_Kid]

If all 4 wheels are in restorable condition I'd say that's a giveaway. As far as fitment issues are concerned, it seems in my experiences that you simply just have to try them first. It seems every car needs a different offset to fit properly, and even from car to car they're not always the same, i.e. a Z/28 will have less wheel weel clearance than an SS396 if they're sitting on their springs properly. 14"s sometimes rub on caliper brackets, but 15"s would definitely clear regular calipers, can't say on the 4 piston type. An 8" wheel is too wide for a Camaro IMO, even in 15". The extra wide lip on the front only further accentuates this. A first gen Camaro simply can't swallow as much wheel as the swoopy fenders of an eary 'Vette. What is the offset on these 15x8"s? How much wheel is on the front, i.e. outward of the mounting flange, or what's gonna stick past your rotors? I'm thinking a 15x8" will definitely rub in front on a Camaro, even with an E70 tire. Yenko used a 15x6" on an E-70 Wide Tread on his 69 Camaros and they look just right to me. I'd still probably grab em for that price though, never know when you might buy that Vette to put em on. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Steve Shauger]

I found 15x6 dragmasters for my 69 Yenko and they fit great and clear the single piston calipers.

[TDW]

SK...I am waiting for more info from him. The questions you asked are basiclly the ones I am awaiting answers to from him. He is supposed to send me pictures. Thanks. You are a wealth of information and an asset to the Hobby. I appreciate it.

[55chevy]

Hey SK.. Got any Cragar S/X's laying around? They're also a Torque Thrust look alike.. 1 piece alum. wheels. Let me know

[TDW]

SK..I have the pictures of the wheels. They are 15x7, with 4'' of backspace. I told him I will take them, but I am third in line. Will let you know if I get them.
Paceme...Does it look like a 7'' would clear on your 69?

Thanks...

[Steve Shauger]

I believe they would work just fine.

[TDW]

SK...I have the wheels. The guy that had them did not measure the right way. They are 15x6, with 2 7/8 backspace. They clear the 4 piston calipers. One has some small curb rash. All have old mounting compound on them. They will need to be cleaned and painted. No lugnuts and 2 caps missing. All lug holes and cap holes are good. Do you know what the backspace is on the Atlas wheels? It looks like these will fit pretty good. Now I need to figure out some tires. Any suggestions?.Thanks...

[Steve Shauger]

I am using 215/70/15 TA's

[TDW]

Paceme...Thanks. Do you know of any other brand of caps that will fit? I tried the TTD ones, and the bolt pattern is different. Thanks.

[camarojoe]

Caps for vintage americans fit. The only caps that have an oddball bolt pattern are the caps for the new style torq thrust D's. Virtually all of the vintage 5 spoke torq thrust copies used caps with the same hole pattern for the 5 attaching screws. You can buy brand new chrome plated plastic ones on ebay for around 30.00-40.00 for a full set.

[TDW]

Thanks Joe. I will look around.

[TDW]

I found a new set. Belair, TTT had them. Thanks everybody that responded.

[Belair62]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif