Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

[Richard G.]

I am planning on purchasing a set of Torque Thrust wheels for my 57 and was wondering what size wheels others have purchased. I would like to do 16 inch or 17 inch wheels but fitment is more important so 15's are not out of the question. Wondering what back spacing and tire sizes that have worked for others. It goes unsaid but the wider the better.
Thanks
Rick

[Steven B.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

Rick, it has been since the mid 60's but I believe my 15 X 6 had a 2 3/4 or 3 inch backspace. 6" wide with 7.75's filled the wheel wells with an extra leaf added. They looked good on the '57!

Steve

[Bruce B.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

Rick,
The wheels on my 62 were purchased in 2000 and are American Racing Torque Thrust D wheels pn 1055761 which means type 105, 15" X 7", 3 5/8" back spacing, 4 3/4 bolt pattern. The tires are radials 205 75 R15.
This size tire is close to the diameter of the original 670-15 and it fills the wheel wells nicely. I also had a set of these on my 54 Corvette

I also bought a set of American Racing Salt Flat wheels in 2003 and put them on another 62 I did. The part number was 2705761 which were 7" wide with the other dimensions the same. I used the 205 75 R15 tires on these also. The fit was fine.

I recently took the Torque Thrust wheels off the 62 and they fit fine on my 57.

But, I have been told that the current ARE wheels which are made in China seem to have some problems with back spacing.

My suggestion is to talk to American Racing and have them specify the wheel and tire size for your car. So if there is a problem they are responsible.
Good Luck.

[Richard G.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

American Racing Wheels made in China/ Gota love the hypocrisy.

We had tape measures, at work, that made a mess of the product when the tape measures were off. Something like a 1/4 inch in 12 inches.

Back to the subject: Bruce and Steven, thanks a bunch for the information. Anyone attempted the 17 inch wheels? Suspect they would also fit if they were 6 inches wide. I will likely go with the 7's. My guess is traction, with these sizes, is going to be a real issue with a LS1 & 5 speed!
Thanks
Rick

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

I have a old Duntov 1960 that has made 5 NCRS Road Tours and 50K miles in 10 years including a blown engine. I have 15 x 6 American Racing TT wheels with blackwall 205 x 75 x 15 and it looks great and handles just as well. I bought new TT wheels and them re-restored them to "old school" look. Send me an email at tio2jim@aol.com and I will send you a couple of pictures. 16 and 17 to me just do not look correct to me, too old school I guess.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

Rich,
I have a friend who has put 16 and 17 inch wheels on a few C1 Corvettes and they just don"t look right to me. To get them to fit you need to use low profile tires (35s, 40s or 45s) and the cars usually drive poorly.

I agree with Jimmy, the 15" wheels and tires look great.

[Bill M.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

Here's a picture of my '59 in 1977 with '68 Corvette 15X7 wheels and F60-15 tires. I don't remember any body contact with this set-up.

The '68 Corvette 15X7 wheels have 3-3/4 backspace.

The F60-15s are long gone, but I still have a set of FR60-15s that I use to roll the '59 shell around. I measure them at 233 mm section width. (I would not go larger than a 225.)

[Steven B.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

Bill, do you have '65-'67 pipes under your car?

Steve

[Bill M.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

Bill, do you have '65-'67 pipes under your car?

Steve

Steve:

I did in 1977. 2 inch OE pipes.

Bill

[Bruce B.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

Here is a picture of my red 62 with American Racing unpolished Salt Flat wheels.
Also attached is a picture of my very early 54 (103X) with American Torque Thrust wheels on it.
Both these cars are long gone
My beige 62 is my avatar pic.
I believe these 2 types of wheels are perfect for a vintage C1 Corvette.
Halibrands also look great.
Bruce B

PS Engineering in CA. also makes some great looking wheels. They have ones similar to the American Torque Thrusts and a very nice Halibrand kidney bean lookalike.

[Richard G.]

Re: Torque thrust wheels for a 57 Corvette

To Everyone "Thanks for the tips"

Here is a quote from PS eng. site.
At the end of the day as it were, please call for pricing, it isn't scary just fair.
I plan on calling them on Monday.
Thanks again
Where else could a guy get specific advice on wheel fitment that isn't a guess. Always appreciative of the feedback.
rick