This year is the 50th anniversary of American Racing Custom Wheels. American Racing vintage wheel collection consist of 27 different custom wheel designs. If you have ever been to the American Racing web site, then we are sure you noticed the distinctive vintage styling of their "Torq-Thrust" custom wheels.

American Racing's Torq-Thrust Original Series 309 is a 1-piece painted/machined alloy custom rim that has been around for a long time. In 1956 this wheel started a trend with American hot rod and muscle car enthusiast. The original magnesium five spoke American Racing Torq-Thrust with its unique tapered curve form spoke design is considered by many to be the most famous custom wheel of all time and one that changed world of racing on the strip and the street.

However, not all of the innovative technology and attention to detail is obvious at first glance. This five spoked American Racing wheel was accepted on the drag strip by increased brake cooling and was much lighter and stronger than stock steel wheels. This "mag" wheel, as they were called in the 1960s, went from the strip to the streets and started the custom wheel trend of the 1960s and 1970s.A set of genuine Torq-Thrusts custom wheels are very collectible even today.

Different designs have evolved over the years and American Racing still offers the "Torq-Thrust Original" along with the Torq-Thrust D (1-piece alloy) and Torq-Thrust II (2-piece alloy) plus a Torq-Thrust ST for trucks and SUV's. All the Torq-Thrust rims provide a wider track, lower stance and sleeker more aerodynamic looking style to your car, truck or SUV. American Racing has what it takes to sustain their dominant position in the custom wheel industry for another 50 years.

By: Steven Farber