Having never seen an original R-Model it looks like the wheels originally used had straight spokes like the current Torq Thrust Original (TTO) rather than the curved spokes of the more common Torq Thrust D wheels. Can anyone confirm that observation. The cost is the same so I'd like to go with whatever is the best match for the originals.
Here is an original wheel
A Snakes original wheel photo is indeed a D wheel. Look at the curve in the top left spoke. If I remember correctly the D was originally created to clear the disc brake caliper on the Corvettes.
The 3 sets of original magnesium wheels we had for 001 were all D. Some had cracks where the spokes meet the rim. New one are aluminum and don't have the problem.
I believe originally there was the Torq-Thrust "R" developed for the GT-350R models, this being something in between the straight-line spoke of the T-T and the curvature of the T-T-D and engineered for "racing" vs. simply "street" usage. And I've been told that the more recent (chinese) production Torq-Thrust "D", which they don't replicate exactly, more closely represent those.
I think later the "R" was displaced by the "Trans-Am" spoke profile, this spoke seeming being flatter overall but with more curvature rate leading into the rim. And then further down the road that by the "T70R" style, this in 1969-'71 era. Of course running along side the latter were the "200-S" "Daisy" wheels too; but I think those showed up more often on the Camaros. :)
Scott.
Early 69 they ran the Daisy wheels and later the MiniLites. I don't know why they switched. Could be many reasons. Supply, weight, failures, ability of supplier to supply specific wheel dimensions in a timely manner, etc.
Minilites were lighter than Daisy's and I believe even cheaper which is hard to believe. Here's some pictures of the TA 70 wheel, my all time favorite. I used to own 2 sets and had them widened to 9's and 10's.
Roy
Sounds like I should stick with the Torq Thrust D's. Thanks for the info guys.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 02, 2026, 08:01:27 PMI don't know why they switched.
I seem to think I remember that there had been failures with the Daisy's? :-\
Scott.