[PITTSBURGH 64]

Anybody use American wheels on there car?

[TININDN]

Better check the backset or you might not be able to wrap much meat on them -

Dave B.

[ssj71]

I bought some American Racing 200S center caps from him with no problems at all. Very good transaction, but then again, they were only $25.

[64catdroptop]

Jeff,

Nice looking wheel. I like the 3 bar spinner better though. I have the original spinners on my '64 and they have the 3 bar spinner on them. It would keep in line with what was offered by Pontiac in '64.

I could paint the center for you to match your Bonneville if you'd like. Think about it. It could be done very easily with the tires on the wheels.

Just my thoughts, but nice looking wheel.

-r-

[ponchopio]

Truly sharp wheels Jeff. I haven't purchased anything from him so I have no "real" experience with him however, he has been doing this forever and it seems to be a true passion of his. I have a link to his site on the Full Size Pontiac site if you'd like to read a little bit more about him.

It does help that he is including the extra hardware too. Overall, it's not a bad deal but get a shipping price up-front. Also, have you trial fit any aftermarket wheels on your Bonny yet? Make sure your studs are long enough to compensate for the depth of the mouting area. The Torq Thrust Ds I had on my 64 Grand Prix were fine with the stock wheel studs, but the Polished Salt Flat Specials that I have on my 64 Bonneville Safari were too "thick" and I needed to press in new, longer Dorman studs. If you run into that problem, just drop me an email. I have the Dorman part# you'll need.

As always, keep us posted!

John Piotrowski

[6T5 Cat]

Jeff, I checked his web site and the backspace he lists for these wheels does not appear to be adequate. You should check it out for yourself just to be safe.

[ponchopio]

I think Jeff is being offered the new TT Original wheel offered by ARE, right Jeff? Terry Vaughn is probably a licensed dealer for American and does the polishing to them as an optional service. If they are the new TTO's, the backspacing should be just perfect. 6T5 Cat is right though. Once he polishes those rims, you can't return them so be certain you both are on the same page.

John

[Rapdron]

Jeff
I think the new Torque Thrust wheels are one of the best looking wheels for the older Pontiacs.

I have just added disc brakes to my 66 Bonneville convertible from a 70 Bonneville parts car, and I'm thinking about going the same way with the wheels.

If you do buy them, please post some photos of them mounted on your car.

Thanks, Ron

[opiecars]

Terry Vaughan is out of Burlington, WA, just north of Seattle. He has been around for many years and I see him at his spot in most of the swap meets I go to. He has always been very personable and helpful. I think he is truly one of the people who likes what he does. Not just out to make a buck. He carries accessories for lots of different wheels.

Richard O.
Bothell, WA

[63pontiacgp]

I think the AR Torque Thrusts look great on my '63.
Mike

[63pontiacgp]

Jeff

I'm not sure what the back spacing is. I'll try and dig up the receipt. I bought the tires and wheels a few years ago at Big O. It was right around 1100.00 for everything. Tires are 225 70R15.

Mike

[perryka]

I've been following this thread, since I've been planning to use Torque Thrust D's on my 62 since I bought it, but now I'm a little concerned about this backspace thing. The wheels on my car now have a 4" backspace, and it looks like that's about the minimum it can take. I also notice a lot of guys running 70 series tires. Is there a reason for that rather than running a 60 series? I had also planned to run a 235 or 245 60, but rethinking that too, especially since the 235/70s are pretty tight on the car now.

Pitt64, what size tire were you planning to use on your Torque Thrusts?

[64cat]

I have american racing rims on my car, But they are the 200-s with the grey centers, 15x7 all around with 235/70-15. I like them beause they are different from the TT and I haven't seen to many around here on any car.

[63 Pontiac]

I've been running a set of 15" ARE Torque Thrust D's for about 3 yrs now. Just recently pulled them because the 235\75 tires scrub the front fenders on turns, will put them back on with a set of 225\70's. The 235\75's look like big balloons, do you remember when everybody ran tires like that?

Jeff, I need to get a set of your spinners.

[cheesepocket]

Just to throw my hat in the ring regarding Torq Thrusts.....I bought these off a guy with a '62 wagon, and they fit fine on that car. Unfortunately, the rears, being 17 X 8 vs. the 17 X 7 meant the 1" had to go somewhere, and on these wheels, that added onto the front spacing, making them slightly more deep-dish. I have an occasional rubbing problem on the fender, and had to lose the skirts to make them work. I have 225/60/17s on the rear and 225/55/17 on the front. I don't remember the wheel backspace. But my point here is that the 17" torq thrusts clear the lower control arm and shock, so you can put quite a bit of rear spacing on the wheel and not encounter the same problems you would with a 16" or lower diameter.

[beamy45]

good choice, those look nice! love the spinner caps.

what diameter are thoser?

[Ken K]

The T-70 wheel is a latter wheel than the Torq Thrust with the strait spoke wheel in the picture above it. The new Ds are something else completely different than the vintage wheels. The T-70 uses a pressed on cap, the Torq Thrust wheels use a screw on cap. Those caps are repops made in China, you can buy them any where. There are not too many different offsets or wheel sizes made in the vintage wheels unless you go to one of the copies. The standard sizes are 15X4.5, 15X8.5, 14X6 and 14X7. They made some 15X10 and 15X7 but they are hard to come by. The 14X6 wheels will fit some disc brakes but not all of them. You will have trouble with the wheel weights. I can tell you most anything about the vintage wheels if I can see a picture.

[Ken K]

The lower left wheel is a 1964 Vintage

[Ken K]

You don't have to worry with 15X7 wheels. Just use stick on weights. That is a standard mag wheel lug nut. The early wheels use a small shank.

[Ken K]

I will post some more pictures of the vintage wheels and copies and how to identify them.....The bigger set of wheels on the first page are Japanese copies made by Appliance.