American Racing Custom Wheels: An American Legend for Track and Street
by
George A. Magalios
Mediasophia, INC
The American Racing Wheel created a sensation during the later 1950s, when European racing wheel companies emphasized modular semi-solid custom wheel designs. Designer Tom Griffith conceived of the tapered parabolic contour spoked wheel and the American Racing "Torq Thrust®" was born. This custom design reduced wheel weight, increased stability, and offered more efficient brake cooling. Perhaps the most famous wheel of all time, and certainly one of the stars of its day, the Torq Thrust® initiated the custom wheel craze and eventually made the jump from racetrack to street. Today you can buy the latest version of the Torq Thrust in chrome and grey finishes at Hubcap-Tire-Wheel.com, the Internet's most reputable and complete source of custom wheels and tires.
Today's custom wheel afficionados know that American Racing makes the premier authentic custom wheels that merge the racing tradition and performance with street dependability. The authentic "old school" Torq Thrust is highly collectible and can be found on many cars and in many shops across the globe. Often imitated but never duplicated, the Torq Thrust is the signature custom wheel for performance purists.
The reputation and reliability of the American Racing wheel means that it has played a major role on the big screen and on television. The hit tv series "Dukes of Hazzard" featured American Racing wheels for its seven seasons. During the show's run Warner Brothers studio built 340 "General Lee" 1969 Dodge Chargers. Each of these beautiful muscle cars was equipped with American Racing "Vector" custom wheels. 321 out of 340 General Lees were destroyed as a result of stunt car jumps and other factors. Of the 1360 American Racing Vectors used on the cars for the series, only one wheel broke. This rare wheel is now an artifact in a private collection in Sylmar, California. Beyond Hazzard County, American Racing wheels have made appearances in many Hollywood films including Transformers, The Game, Die Hard With A Vengeance, and 2Fast, 2Furious. Perhaps the biggest role for the American Racing wheel was its star turn on the Steve McQueen's Ford Mustang in Bullitt.
American Racing Equipment, Inc. is one of the largest custom wheel companies in the world. Hubcap-Tire-Wheel.com is one of the largest sellers of American Racing's fine custom wheels. We offer every type of American Racing wheel model and size to suit your custom wheel and rim needs, including the Casino Custom Wheel and the Razor Custom Wheel. Just visit our custom wheels and rims page and check out our first-rate selection and rock-bottom prices on our fine custom wheels and rims.
Published September 1, 2009
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