Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Hello Everyone,

What was the size/backspacing of the Torque Thrust wheels that came on some of the '69 Yenko Camaros?. How about the tire size?

I have also seen cars with both "straight" and "curved" spokes - which are correct?

If the original style is impossible to come by, what's the most popular/closest looking replacement from American Racing Wheels?

Now that I am looking for one, I can't find a pic of an Orange Yenko with these wheels. I can find examples of every other color, but not Orange. Can anyone suggest a link to a pic?

Thanks in advance,

Keith
'69 RS/SS 502

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Original Atlas wheels were 15X7 with a straight spoke. I had a set on a Yenko Chevelle I recently sold. I doubt if you will find a set though. The best thing to do is check all the swap meets and try and find a nice set of early American Racing wheels with the straight spoke. I am also looking for a set for my hugger orange Yenko Camaro! I think the tire size is E70X15 for camaros and the do repop these. I will try to e-mail you a picture of a Atlas wheel for reference.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

tried to send you some pics but you come as "not a known member" will try later.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Just looked at the wheels on that website, I think the wheels in the cast version may be close! I am looking into them myself! Thanks Stefano

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Thanks for the replys.

My e-mail is [email protected], if you could send me the pic's it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again!

Keith

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

The American straight spoke wheels are still somewhat commmon at swap meets, especially the smaller shows. Terry Vaughn in Washington state has ton's of these wheels for sale.
Dave

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Vintage wheel works is currently working on reproducing the American Torque Thrust wheel
from the 60's. It will be 15X7 with the same off-set offered during that period. Vintage claims it will be approx. 6 months before it is offerd. They will update their web site as it progresses www.vintagewheelworks.com.
Phone number is 562-906-8600. Cost will be approx. $800.00 for the set. This may be a good alternative to finding an original set.

Ron

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Do The Vintage Wheels come in 15", I thought that they were only going to make 16"?
I ordered a couple of sets of Team III's vintage 5 (?) cast wheels. They use the original molds from the 1960s, they differ in that they are two piece to vary the offset and they say no problem with 15" and factory disk brakes.
I'll post some pics in a few weeks when they arrive.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

I e-mailed Vintage Wheels to see if they make the 15 inch. They only avertise the 16 inch, will let you know when I get a response from them.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

How do the new "American Torg-Thrust D" wheels compare with the older styles that were on the Yenko's? Are the spokes the same and what about center caps?

[Edited by 69L89396 (03-24-2002 at 11:39 PM).]

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

I would like to thank everyone who sent in the pics.

Looks like I have everything I need, but the backspacing is still an open question.

Thanks again everyone,

Keith

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

The closest looking wheel to the Yenko Wheels available today are the ones made by Team 3 www.etwheels.com , in my opinion.

[Edited by Stefano (03-24-2002 at 12:48 PM).]

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

The new torq-thrust rims completely different than the Atlas. The torq-thrust has a curved spoke, the Atlas has a straight spoke. The center caps on the Atlas were aluminum the new ones are plastic, also the spokes on the tor-thrust are much beafier and the casting itself is much smoother and without any flash extentions, The Atlas, as a whole, was of poorer quality.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

I got a reply from Vintage Wheel, they said the 15/7 old stle American Racing wheel will be available in 3 to 4 months.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Cool, will it be authentic ?

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Thats the claim! Time will tell.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Stefano
I have yet to find a reproduced speed part that are exactly as the originals. Personally I would rather have a mint used piece vs. an incorrect new piece. Terry Vaughan has probably the largest selection of original AR wheels in the country. I've bought some stuff from him in the past and he doesn't sell junk. He has the 15x7's with straight spokes
His ebay seller name is vintage-whls He is out of Ellensburg Washington.
Dave

[Edited by whitetop (03-25-2002 at 06:21 PM).]

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

I talked to Terry today, he does not have a set of original American wheels for chevy at this time.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Dave I agree 100%. Nothing is like the genuine part...BKH

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

I agree also, the genuine thing is always the first option if you can find a nice set.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

I just finished a set of Americans,old style straight spoke,and the total price is close to what a new set would cost.It does take some time to find a good set to start with,but the wait is worth the results.You will always know the reproduction wheels are just that.....


Steve

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

There are some nice old pictures on this web site that may be of interest. One shows a close up of an original American wheel. Also nice Corvette and Camaro period pictures.

http://www.67fso.com

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

What is the correct backset for these wheels?

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

Hello Everyone,

Well, it has been a full two years since I posted this originally, and I still have not purchased my wheels yet!

I was just wondering if there were any fresh opinions on new wheel manufactures, and the new American Racing TTO's.

Also, backspacing is still an open issue, what are you all running with the 15x7 TTD's or Vintage Wheel 5 Spokes?

Is anyone running the 15x8.5's with 255/60's? I run 15x8's with 4.5" backspacing with 255/60's on the back of my '69 SS and they fit perfect, but that combination does not seem to be offered in an off-the-shelf TTD style wheel.

One last request: Does anyone have a good photo of a black and white '69 with TTD's?

Thanks and Regards!

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

The new American TTO's are somewhat more appropriate looking than the current modern Torq Thrust wheel, but they're still a far cry from a vintage wheel in my opinion. The "Torq-Thrust Original" aka TTO does have straight spokes and an as cast center, however they also have the larger hub and center cap to fit later model vehicles, as well as the taper seat lug recesses as opposed to the shank and washer style of the 60's. On a vintage car they certainly look better than modern dull gray curved spokes, but they aren't going to fool anyone who knows their vintage stuff. I guess that can be said for any modern reproduction part though. Personally, I'd try my best to find a set of nice straight peaked spoke Americans or a comparable copy and have them professionally restored. They're hard to find, and more expensive in the long run than a modern wheel for sure, but they aren't impossible to obtain. There's just no beating vintage wheel on a vintage car. Happy hunting.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back Spacing
 

I bought a set of PS Engineering Wheels. They are in Cali, have to get you the number later. His 5 spokes are correct for the 60's. I have them on my 69 Z, 15x4 front 15x8.5 with 4.5 b/s. They look awesome, I have a 275-60-15 on the rear. The wheels have no wheel weights on them, no vibration at all! chechout my website on fotki.com look under search and type in blownz I have several pics there of the wheels. They are powdercoater silver on the spokes and polished outers.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

While an attractive wheel in their own right, the PS Engineering wheels are hardly a match for the Atlas wheels used by Yenko or even early Americans for that matter. The spokes are curved away from the calipers and then inward towards the rim, like a "D" and hence the term D spokes. Atlas mags and early "straight spoke" Americans are not like this. Their spokes are straight from hub to rim, and while American wheels came in many variations including peaked and rounded spokes, the Yenko Atlas mags have a very distinct peaked spoke. Also, it's hard to tell from the pics but the PS Engineering wheels appear to be of a 2 piece design, like a modern Torq Thrust 2. While a 2 piece wheel allows for unlimited configurations of front and backspacing, it doesn't provide that authentic vintage look. There's just no faking an old wheel IMO. Keep hunting, vintage 15"s are a little tougher to find but if you're patient a set will turn up.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

SK ,what he really needs is backspacing opinions...I know your bro went thru some set-ups on his Camaro to get an idea of what width/backspace may be best for Camaro...you can put about anything on a Chevelle but that front end of a Camaro needs the right spacing...

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

What about the keystone mags of that era? Does nobody ever use them?


Also I think I have a pair of Ansen real knockoff gray spokes that I used to run on my 62 V8 Nova that I used to street race. Would they be of any value? I was kinda thinking of using them on the front of my L-78 69 Nova. I know that they are period correct as that is when I was using them till I put a straight axle under the Deuce and they would not fit anymore.

Pantera

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

SK...If I email you a pic of a TT wheel, would you be able to identify it for me? I don't know how to put a picture here. Thanks

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

I'll sure do my best. Send it to me at [email protected]

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

The pics are on the way. Thank you very much....

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

Erik...Very educational email. Thanks again.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

Anytime Tony, glad I could help.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

I have 15X7's on my car and it's black with a white stripe.

http://community.webshots.com/album/66411434vZZvus

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

Any contact anywhere in the front end when you turn Chris ?

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

Never on the road, but you have to watch it when you turn in a driveway if it has a big dip. I replaced the springs with slightly stiffer ones and the front dropped about an inch.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

Chris, that is a beautiful car!

Do those rims have off-the-shelf backspacing? What tire size are you running?

Thanks for the input!

Keith

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

Take note that the wheels on Chris396's black '69 convert appear to be the modern Torque Thrust D's with gray painted spokes.

Re: Original Yenko Torque Thrust Wheel Size/Back S
 

Yeah those are the modern wheels. I repainted the centers with the rally wheel silver paint about 4 years ago.