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Hot Rods American wheels

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by olscrounger, May 11, 2022.

  1. olscrounger
    Joined: Feb 23, 2008
    Posts: 4,770

    olscrounger
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Friend just found these-not sure of vintage? two 15/7 and two 15/6 5 0n 4 1/2. Any help appreciated. Thank you! IMG_0409 (1).JPG IMG_0409 (1).JPG
     
    e1956v, LOU WELLS, swade41 and 5 others like this.
  2. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Cool find . Never had American Torque Thrust. Any cast in codes ?
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  3. olscrounger
    Joined: Feb 23, 2008
    Posts: 4,770

    olscrounger
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'll ask him if any codes/numbers anywhere
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  4. Looks like an American Racing torque thrust D. You can still get them new I believe. 13B5A827-211C-40E4-821C-9A454654E09A.jpeg
     

  5. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    They are the reissue version of a torque thrust “D”. Biggest tip-off is the large flange on the plastic center caps.
     
  6. olscrounger
    Joined: Feb 23, 2008
    Posts: 4,770

    olscrounger
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  7. Sky Six
    Joined: Mar 15, 2018
    Posts: 9,480

    Sky Six
    Member
    from Arizona

    20220503_133350[9441].jpg These are the new version, I purchased them new about a month and a half ago.
     
  8. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    These are the original magnesium version, I got them used 50 years ago: 76850FF1-74EA-4F32-ADBA-BF16AF6F11D3.jpeg
     
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  9. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 30,778

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    yup, those are modern wheels, you can tell because they use taper seat lug nuts...
     
  10. BamaMav
    Joined: Jun 19, 2011
    Posts: 6,709

    BamaMav
    Member
    from Berry, AL

    Yep, just like the TTO polished wheels I recently bought. Made in China. Mine look to be good quality.
     
  11. cabong
    Joined: Nov 29, 2005
    Posts: 881

    cabong
    Member

    yup... TTO's have been my favorite since they were simply Americans !! 52business coupe a.jpg
     
  12. jay t.
    Joined: Jan 1, 2009
    Posts: 204

    jay t.
    Member

     
  13. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    This would be the original version of a 6”aluminum American Torque Thrust “D” from the 1960’s : 756A8413-CE8E-40F9-88B4-AE6E6E9FF9BC.jpeg
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2022
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  14. MCjim
    Joined: Jun 4, 2006
    Posts: 954

    MCjim
    Member
    from soCal

    Another original '60s wheel, you can clearly see the clearance for disc caliper on the back of the spoke.
    000_9434 (2).jpg
     
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  15. deucemac
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 1,483

    deucemac
    Member

    Romero Palamedies designed a timeless classic wheel that has remained in vogue for what seems like forever. You have REAL American five spokes and then Ansen, Fenton, US, Appliance, and who knows how many other copies out there. Not the other way around !
     
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  16. My "Americans"... Original TorqThrusts!

    Before
    [​IMG]

    After
    [​IMG]
     
  17. These are modern (purchased new ~2002) American TTO's.
    15x6" front/15x7" rear with tapered lug nuts and polished aluminum center caps.
    Fully polished wheels were popular at the time but if I were to do it again, I'd go with painted spokes and either polished or brushed finish rims (like my avitar).:cool:
    55 mine Formal 5.jpg
     
  18. Another tip off on the "newer" wheels is the screw holes for the center caps have inserts instead of being self tapping screws to hold the caps on. I have always ran Torque Thrust wheels of some sort on all my old cars (see my avatar), my wife says I would have them on the lawnmower if I could find them. First set of American T.T. I ever saw was on a brand new 63 1/2 Galaxie 500XL at Radke's in North Portland. Been in love with them ever since!
     
    Just Gary likes this.
  19. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,629

    The37Kid
    Member

    To be "Historically Correct" What month of what year could I have bought one of the first sets? 1962?
    Thanks!

    Bob
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2022
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  20. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 9,397

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska
    1. Central Nebraska H.A.M.B.

    Put a set of them on my first new car, a 66 Impala Super Sport and a few years later on my first hot rod a 39 Ford Deluxe coupe.
     
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  21. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,719

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Not that old since they're the humped spokes to clear disc brake calipers.
     
  22. Rocket Scientist Chris
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 602

    Rocket Scientist Chris
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    When did the taper seat start being used? I have a set (15x7, 5 on 5 BC) that have the larger center cap bolt circle but retain the straight cut lug hole with a countersunk washer that I bought from a HAMBer a while ago. I was under the impression these wheels were “late model” (late 80’s or early 90’s). Am I incorrect?
     

    Attached Files:

  23. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    First American ad showing Torque Thrusts , June of 1960 : 310BECB1-FC3B-4C70-BD83-F9280A9ED715.jpeg
     
  24. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Magnesium “D” of the first design do not clear disc brake calipers. The first aluminum “D”’s are from 1965.They did still have straight shank lugs on 1980’s reissue wheels.
     
  25. This one is from the 60's. HRP

    [​IMG]
     
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  26. cabong
    Joined: Nov 29, 2005
    Posts: 881

    cabong
    Member

    They are 15X6 and 15X8... I bought them from a wheel dealer that was at LARS a couple years back. I'm sure they are still around.... They cost about 125 bucks each. I had several different options, but damn I love Americans !! My wife's '56 had them on hers since about 1960. The original owner/builder back then, who was a good friend, and still is, went to the effort to make gaskets to put between the caps and the wheels. After owning the bitch'n '56 for several years, my wife was surprised to have a visitor one day, who asked if she still owned that Ford. She said yes, and he then asked if she would sell it back to him. She did, and he still owns it 25 years later.

    nancys.jpg
     
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  27. jay t.
    Joined: Jan 1, 2009
    Posts: 204

    jay t.
    Member

    Cool story. Thanks for the size info
     
  28. I've never cared for the curved-spoke version of the TT. Or believe that it passes the litmus test for being 'traditional'. Initially designed for the '65 'Vette with its new 4 wheel discs and introduced shortly after the car was, the only size first available was for the 'Vette. They expanded available sizes later, but this was not a 'commonly' seen wheel in the HAMB era by any means. By then everybody and his dog started making copies of the original straight-spoke version, and while the curved-spoke TT2 model saw somewhat more use as factory discs started appeared more starting in about '67, American eventually dropped both versions as sales fell to the usually cheaper copies and they went out of style for a time. And American was the only wheel manufacturer who used the curved-spoke design in that style to clear discs. Everyone else managed to use straight spokes.

    Fast forward some years... Five spokes became popular again, but for some inexplicable reason American re-issued the TT2 rather than the original design. Again, other manufacturers stepped into the gap so American finally brought back the original (which would now fit discs... go figure). But the TT2 is still their cost leader, now you pay extra for the real deal.

    One other change... Back in the day you could buy 'mag wheel' paint in various shades to renew the finish on as-cast centers if they got nasty. That has disappeared, leaving us to find something to try to get 'close'. I find this a bit hard to fathom unless they think the lack will generate more wheel sales...
     
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  29. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 30,778

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    I agree. I hate the torque thrust 2’s. They are not even close to a traditional wheel in my opinion.... love the straight spokes though
     
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