2 Attachment(s)
American Racing Torq-Thrust Wheels
Hmmm, came across this info on Torq-Thrusts. The guy claims all of the wheels have this stamp or they were not made by American. Anybody seen this stamp on Porsche Torq-Thrusts? My castings look identical, but no stamp.
http://www.roadsters.com/wheels/#TT
American Torq-Thrust "D" 7x15 for Porsche 911
Curt:
Your wheels are the real deal from American Racing Equipment.
I have a set of American Torq-Thrust "D" wheels for a 911. They are the later pattern wheel like the ones pictured in your post with the undrilled center cap flange (the early magnesium Porsche wheels lacked that flange). Mine measure 7x15 and have never been refinished or restored. They do not have the American Racing Equipment cast into back of the wheel.
I checked another set of aluminum R model Torq Thrust repros that were made for GT 350 Mustangs about 20 years ago. They have the American Racing Equipment casting mark as illustrated in the photo along with small stamped serial numbers.
However, an original set of magnesium Torq Thrusts that was originally cast for Trans Am Mustangs in 1966 also lacks any casting identification for ARE.
As stated, ARE put a small adhesive backed metal label on the outside flange of the rim on their wheels in the Trans Am era with their logo and either MAGNESIUM or AlUMINUM spelled out on the tag. I have some of the MAGNESIUN ones around here somewhere from a prior restoration.
I never realized the early mag wheels lacked the casting mark and had never inspected the back of the 911 wheels I have.
tom
my 2.67 cents on an old thread
I picked up a set old Torque Thrust Ds early this spring. Concerned that they had no markings, I called and had LENGTHY conversations with two really nice people at ARE. One of them was an old school employee who knew more than I cared to know about the wheels. I emailed pics and dimensions to him. He stated without reservation, that in the mid to late 60s, ARE had no competition, and therefore as they were easily identified by the unique look, there were no stampings. As such he told me my wheels were likely a 67-68 vintage. It was only after competitors started to knock off copies...sometime in the 70s that ARE began to introduce some stamping identification. If someone has any question as to the identification of their wheels, I would suggest they go to the source. Granted , ARE has evolved over the years, they are going to have the resources (people and history) to provide better, accurate help than a website. As a result of their help, I went ahead and had my wheels refinished...glad I did. :D