Club Cobra

Club Cobra (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/)
-   ERA---Speak with Bob Putnam (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/era-speak-bob-putnam/)
-   -   American Racing Torque Thrust 'D' Wheels --- New Same As Vintage? (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/era-speak-bob-putnam/101758-american-racing-torque-thrust-d-wheels-new-same-vintage.html)

tkb289 12-29-2009 09:15 PM

American Racing Torque Thrust 'D' Wheels --- New Same As Vintage?
 
I have a question about American Racing Torque Thrust 'D' wheels.

Are the 15" bolt on TTDs (7.0" and 8.5") that American Racing sells now, the same as the vintage bolt on TTDs sold back in the day (60's & 70's)?

If not ... what are the changes and any photos?


Just doing a little more homework ... as I am considering the pin drive 289 FIA wheels OR the bolt on TTDs for my ERA 289 build.

Thanks.

- Tim

RodKnock 12-29-2009 09:29 PM

Tim,

No, the spokes have a different shape and the spokes are painted differently. Backspacing may be different, but I'm not completely sure. Also, the vintage D wheels will be very expensive, especially in the sizes you want. Straight spokes are cheaper. There's also a couple guys in SoCal who collect these wheels, but don't sell them cheaply. I dabbled a little in the vintage AR Torq Thrust D market a few years ago, so I can pass along some email info. Hemmings is another resource.

Torq Thrust Terry is one of the most knowledgable persons about American Racing wheels. Here's his website:

http://www.torquethrustcentral.com/

tkb289 12-29-2009 09:39 PM

Rodney,

Thanks for the info ... I had a feeling that you would some good information on the subject. Any idea as to why they changed the design?

- Tim

RodKnock 12-30-2009 12:04 AM

No, I'm not sure why they changed the look of the spoke. The g-d awful battleship grey that they use for paint color now, IMHO, should be corrected too. Sorry to those folks who like the color of the new TTD's from AR.

I actually have a pic, I think somewhere at home, of the new versus old. I'll try to dig it up.

The vintage D's are clearly my favorite.

strictlypersonl 12-30-2009 03:58 AM

Back in the '60s, there was a Halibrand wheel that looked very similar to the American Torq Thrust design. I suspect that it was the Halibrand that is shown in some of the vintage photos (with a knock-off adapter).

sllib 12-30-2009 04:38 AM

Try Vintage Wheel Works out in LA. They have a copy of the old straight spoke TTD, as well as the Minilite, in brushed aluminum. They will make them for you in any backspace you want and they're fine folks to deal with. www.vintagewheelworks.com
Bill Stradtner

PANAVIA 12-30-2009 04:55 AM

We usually buy the modern TTD's and paint the centers with a cast iron metalflake Eastwood paint so we dont puke on the Bizmark grey.

the modern TTD seem well made, and available.

the VWW units are even nicer. --

Personally ; I would get new wheels - wouldn't mess with antiques in this area.

Steve

rustyBob 12-30-2009 09:27 AM

I have the new TTD's and I think they look just fine and thats whats nice about the new wheels is you can paint the centers and not worry about messing up a set of vintage wheels.........
and i dont think they come in half sizes either they either are 7",8",or10".
but i could be wrong about that...........

cobraviper_99 12-30-2009 11:26 AM

Here are my TTD's. I don't think there's a better looking wheel on a Cobra when matched with white-lettered Billboards. Always lots of good comments on them.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...humbs/008_.JPG

RodKnock 12-30-2009 11:29 AM

For me, the vintage TTD's are better looking. They seem to have more character.

Bob, they do come in half-sizes since I have a friend with a set of 8.5's on his Nomad.

PS Engineering and Vintage Wheels Works are excellent choices for a modern version of the TTD.

cobraviper_99 12-30-2009 11:44 AM

I first mounted a set of the vintage TTD's on the car to compare with the other style. Liked these better IMHO.

rustyBob 12-30-2009 12:27 PM

guess i was wrong.............again....

tkb289 01-01-2010 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobraviper_99 (Post 1013797)
Here are my TTD's. I don't think there's a better looking wheel on a Cobra when matched with white-lettered Billboards. Always lots of good comments on them.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...humbs/008_.JPG


Nice tire and wheel combo ... easy to see why people like them !

cobraviper_99 01-01-2010 06:06 AM

Thanks, tkb289!

lovehamr 01-01-2010 10:08 AM

Does anyone know if/where pin drives are available?

Steve

cobraviper_99 01-01-2010 11:55 AM

My TTD's were machined to mount on pin-drive hubs. Not a major deal.

strictlypersonl 01-01-2010 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobraviper_99 (Post 1014382)
My TTD's were machined to mount on pin-drive hubs. Not a major deal.

Were they machined directly by American Racing or ?

Did any of the drive pin holes punch through to the outside surface?

cobraviper_99 01-01-2010 01:40 PM

Billy Andrews at HRE had the wheels done while my car was being completed. The holes did not come through to the outer surface. Excellent job and the wheel to wheelwell positioning is dead on.

strictlypersonl 01-01-2010 03:04 PM

C'Viper,

Thanks. I'll talk to Billy. What widths did you use?

cobraviper_99 01-01-2010 09:19 PM

I believe 8" front, 10" rear. Billy would know for sure.


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:58 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: