Say a guy was trying to build a car that looked like it was and old race car. He needed old race wheels to go with it. Something like Torque Thrusts or minilites from the 60's . Anyone know of a source for old wheels like these? I'm not talking about CL or Ebay. Seems like there should be companies that specialize in selling this stuff, but darn if I can find them.
Do you want real ones (ie - magnesium) or are you just after the "look". Both types (and a lot of styles, including TT and Minilite) are being reproduced. Aluminum repops aren't bad, but real mags are $$$$.
As for originals, there were a few guys specializing in actual mags, but they've all been so beat up and fatigued that nobody will run them. Figure about 90% of what's left now lives in museums. Bring even more $$$$$$.
Let me know what you're after and I'll throw up links.
In reply to Javelin:
I don't want magnesium wheels, but there were plenty of aluminum wheels made in the 60's, including the Torque Thrust.
I don't care if they are originals or not, but they have to look old, not new. And by old I mean with patina, not be all beat up.
There is a site, but I don't have it on my phone. I might have it on my pc at home & I'll check tonight.
I can tell you they have no 4x92.25 wheels, and their prices aren't cheap, but other than that it looked legit.
They still make Torque Thrust Ds. Its my favorite wheel. I'm sure they are no longer magnesium.
I'll be honest, the market on vintage wheels has gone up in the last couple years. For the price people want for them, you could get modern replicas for the same price or cheaper. You can find modern Halibrands, Ansen Sprints, or Torque Thrust Ds for the same price you can find vintage and to have them refinished.
Of course there is the "Fluke" where someone is selling a descent set of vintage wheels for cheap.
Guys, I know I can buy new wheels, but that's not what I want.
I want old wheels, or wheels that look old. I don't want to have to do much of anything to them to make them look that way, because if I screw it up my cheaper "new" wheels become really expensive.
I'm looking for wheels that look as old as my car does. I know they are hard to find, and I know they are expensive, I'm just asking if anyone knows where I can find them.
petegossett wrote: There is a site, but I don't have it on my phone. I might have it on my pc at home & I'll check tonight. I can tell you they have no 4x92.25 wheels, and their prices aren't cheap, but other than that it looked legit.
Pat, if you get a chance, please let me know what it is.
There are guys at the big swapmeets like Spring/Fall Carlisle and Hershey. Some only do the swapmeets, no stores. If you don't find anything by late October I'll see if I can get some contact info from the guys at Hershey.
I just stumbled across this guy. Don't know anything about him though: AKH Vintage Wheels
I'll have to poke around there when I have some time.
In reply to bravenrace:
All of the actual racing wheels were magnesium, not aluminum. Old aluminum wheels are just going to have corrosion scale. Magnesium browns with age. If you really want aged wheels as a matched set, you are going to have to watch eBay, craigslist, Hemmings, and other places like a hawk and be prepared to pony up some serious $$$$ for a matched set of four. I get the feeling that once you see an aged aluminum wheel you will change your tune though...
In reply to bravenrace:
This is an old aluminum wheel:
Old magnesium:
PS - $1800 on eBay for a set of 4 magnesium TT's is the cheapest I've found.
^^^ That right there is why I'm saying replicas. Those are pretty much $450 a wheel.
You can find the new version of that wheel from American Racing at Summit Racing for $260 a wheel for a 15x7.
Javelin wrote: In reply to bravenrace: All of the actual racing wheels were magnesium, not aluminum. Old aluminum wheels are just going to have corrosion scale. Magnesium browns with age. If you really want aged wheels as a matched set, you are going to have to watch eBay, craigslist, Hemmings, and other places like a hawk and be prepared to pony up some serious $$$$ for a matched set of four. I get the feeling that once you see an aged aluminum wheel you will change your tune though...
Yes I know the difference between racing and street wheels, and aluminum and magnesium - I've owned both in the past. I didn't mean to imply that I actually wanted racing wheels. Street Torque Thrusts were always aluminum, and look the part just fine.
SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: ^^^ That right there is why I'm saying replicas. Those are pretty much $450 a wheel. You can find the new version of that wheel from American Racing at Summit Racing for $260 a wheel for a 15x7.
I think I already stated why I don't want new wheels, no?
Javelin wrote: In reply to bravenrace: This is an old aluminum wheel:
That's pretty much what I want.
Guys, all I am asking if it anyone knows of a good source for vintage wheels. No offense, but I don't need an education on wheels, the materials they are made of, or their price. I just need to know if anyone knows of a good source, that's all. Thanks.
bravenrace wrote:SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: ^^^ That right there is why I'm saying replicas. Those are pretty much $450 a wheel. You can find the new version of that wheel from American Racing at Summit Racing for $260 a wheel for a 15x7.I think I already stated why I don't want new wheels, no?
Yes you did, I guess I'm just not comprehending 
I have an old pair of "Dragmaster 14"s available. Was going to use them but they're old enough they don't have the bead "lock" ledge on the rim.
They're 14x6 with a "universal" (the old slotted holes) 5-lug pattern.
In reply to dimarra:
Well, I really need a set of 4, and they ideally need to be 15", but if you have a picture or two of them, please post or send them to me.
bravenrace wrote: Guys, all I am asking if it anyone knows of a good source for vintage wheels. No offense, but I don't need an education on wheels, the materials they are made of, or their price. I just need to know if anyone knows of a good source, that's all. Thanks.
Well you are pretty much the only person on the planet who wants aged aluminum wheels, so there is no demand, and thus, no source. All of the vintage wheel outfits that dabble in aluminum restore them. You'll have to find a set of pitted, corroded ones in some hillbillies backyard. Good luck.
Javelin wrote:bravenrace wrote: Guys, all I am asking if it anyone knows of a good source for vintage wheels. No offense, but I don't need an education on wheels, the materials they are made of, or their price. I just need to know if anyone knows of a good source, that's all. Thanks.Well you are pretty much the only person on the planet who wants aged *aluminum* wheels, so there is no demand, and thus, no source. All of the vintage wheel outfits that dabble in aluminum restore them. You'll have to find a set of pitted, corroded ones in some hillbillies backyard. Good luck.
Can you ever make it through a thread without making some smart ass comment? No, I'm not the only one, that's why they are expensive.
Maybe, just maybe, you don't know everything. Something to consider...
mguar wrote: In reply to bravenrace: I have a set of pin drive Halibrand Mag wheels2@ 15X8 & 2@15x5.5 They are designed to go on a knock off hub (Jaguar in this case) Modified to be converted to pin drive.. These would be uber expensive.. They were on the original Chaparral special from the late 1950's built by Troutman and Barnes. (builder of INDY cars, the Scarab, Riverside special (renamed Chaparral By Hap Sharp), And Worked for Carroll Shelby building the Cobra and Cobra race cars. I have the wheels, the hubs, and 3 eared knock offs. They were last Zygloed back in the mid 80's so they are due again.. Make me a serious offer but please don't insult me..
Thanks, but not what I'm looking for.
In reply to bravenrace:
I think it was said earlier in the thread that you're best bet to find a full set of old mags or aluminum wheels are swap meets.
I did some searching and I found this site:
http://www.akhwheels.com/
They don't have a great selection, but it's probably a good place to start. Aside from Ebay, I'm not seeing much offered on the net, I've tried a few different keywords and not much is coming up.
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