Torq Thrusts or Cragars?

[hvychev]

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Did tell me he was going to put a powerglide in his Z just to race Marlin!


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Hey Marlin is too easy! Go for someone faster!

(just a little $hit talking for SCR8 )

[DarrenX33]

Indeed go for someone faster.

[Stefano]

You can get authentic looking TT's, as well as other styles directly from American Racing, they are called TTO's as opposed to TTD's (Torque Thrust Originals).

www.americanracing.com

[Mr. T]

WOW, the TT's really kicked some A$$!!

[Salvatore]

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You can get authentic looking TT's, as well as other styles directly from American Racing, they are called TTO's as opposed to TTD's (Torque Thrust Originals).They are very nice wheels. I am getting a set myself.

www.americanracing.com

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[skierkaj]

I'm not a real torqe thrust fan, but they just look better than the cragars on that particular car. Maybe if the Camaro was a different color, I would've voted different, but who knows.

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
You can get authentic looking TT's, as well as other styles directly from American Racing, they are called TTO's as opposed to TTD's (Torque Thrust Originals).

www.americanracing.com

[/ QUOTE ]True, TTO's are slightly more vintage looking than the TTD's, but are hardly a convincing replica of a true 1960's manufactured American Torq Thrust. The TTO's have the much larger center cap and center opening to clear the larger wheel bearings and grease caps of newer vehicles. They also use taper seat lug nuts much like a steel wheel, and not the mag shank/washer type that the true 60's wheels used. They're pretty much like any other modern reproduction of a "vintage" part, somewhat close to the original but hardly convincing to someone who knows what they're looking at. They also only come in 15x5" and 15x7" sizes, and on a 1st gen Camaro 5" is too narrow and 7" is too wide. 15x6" is what Yenko got from Atlas, and the only size that looks right on a Camaro IMO. Keep searching ebay and digging at the swap meets guys, they're out there, just not always a phone call away.

[tom406]

The biggest problem (aside from some folks old/repro visual aesthetic)is the backspacing on the 7" rims. The TTD's and I think the S/S's both give up 1/2" of backspacing to the original Rallys (3-3/4" vs 4-1/4"). This almost guarantees contact on the fronts, even with 215/65/15's.

If authentic Day-2-ism isn't your absolute goal, I like the Torq Thrust CL205's (TTII's with painted centers) so that you can pick your backspacing (4-1/4 to 4-1/2"), or my personal favorite, Vintage Wheel Works' V40 (straight) or V45 (D spoke) 16x8" cast Torq Thrust style wheels. They have 4-1/2" backspacing and with 245/50/16 tires, they fill up '69 wheelwells nicely with a vintage, if slightly exaggerated look.

I see in the magazines this month that American is re-releasing Ansen Sprints. I'm having trouble redeveloping an appreciation for slots, so take that info for what its worth.

If you feel the need for real vintage mags, I say hold out for early Torq Thrust D's, the "crows feet" 6"ers. Use all around or with 7"ers in the rear. Hand polished would be nice with Rally Green.

[Supercar_Kid]

Tom makes an interesting point. Day2ing a car is certainly something that by definition, is to be done to a particular owner's preference. I just think it should be done with strictly vintage parts (i.e. having been manufactured within a year or two of the car's model year) or otherwise it loses it's period look and simply appears "restified" with modern upgrades. Radial tires are a common comfort preference that kills a period look for me personally, but to each his own. Even though the lips on most vintage mags were a machined finish when new, a high polish buff looks cool too. Let's also not forget there are tons of Torq Thrust copies out there that have the same thing going for them that made them attractive purchases in the first place. They're cheaper and less sought after than Americans but were also heavily used by hot rodders back in the day. They don't have to be gennie big $ Torq Thrusts to look cool and period correct. I'm a big fan of vintage Internationals personally. Here's a pair of 14x7s that have had the lips machine polished.

[55chevy]

How about the best of both worlds.. Cragars that LOOK like Torque Thrusts