American Racing has again introduced the classic vintage Vector SE Series 47 wheels. The Vector SE was originally introduced by American Racing on that very popular orange 1969 Dodge Charger, the General Lee. The General Lee was the star of the 1970s and 1980s hit TV series The Dukes of Hazzard.
The Dukes of Hazzard was about racing on the backs roads of Hazzard County, Georgia. In the early 1980’s the TV series was thrilling Saturday evening viewing. You just could not miss one single episode as the Duke Boys (Bo and Luke) tried to get away from, out fox and out jump the tricky and materialistic Boss Hog along with his child like henchman Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane as they run around Hazzard County in their souped-up orange Dodge Charger named, The General Lee.
Rally racing in the 1960s and 1970s was very popular and still is today. This type of racing is one of the most challenging and demanding form of motor sports in the world. It involves sports cars going real fast, battling the elements and other race cars. Combine the physical action of road racing with the glamour and excitement of international sports car racing and you have Rally racing. Because Rally race cars are also street legal they had a special appeal to race fans. Race Fans wanted their cars to look and perform just like Rally cars. So some auto manufacturers offered accessories such as Rally wheels to the consumer. The original Rally steel wheels usually had five distinct oval slots and came with different center caps and trim rings. They were made of heavier gauge steel, which makes them weigh more but also adds structural integrity.
American Racing makes a chrome wheel that sure looks like the old style Rally wheels used on the Camaro and Chevelle. These triple chrome plated steel alloy wheels come with a baby moon hub cap and will compliment white wall tires. This top of the line chrome wheels are offered in 14, 15 and 16 inch rims. Widths vary from 6 to 10 inches. You can also choose many different offsets, back spacing and bolt circle patterns for that just right fitment.
Look around and you will see an increase in custom wheels used on trucks today. Less than 20 years ago trucks were just cargo hauling vehicles. In the early 1900s trucks were used primarily for local wholesale and retail deliveries. Today when we talk about trucks we are talking about light trucks. Light trucks include pickup trucks, minivans and full-size vans, and sport utility vehicles. Twenty five percent or more of all new vehicles sold are light trucks.
There is an huge amount of accessories that allow pickup truck owners to convert their weekday work horse to comfortable, efficient and enjoyable transportation. Accessories like lowering kits, lift kits, tonneau covers and custom wheels. Most of these accessories don’t have to be practical, people just want to modify a truck to suit their life styles.
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.
Automotive technology that was developed on the race track has trickled down to the street in one form or another for the last 40 years or more. This is the case with American Racing Vintage custom wheels they call the “Hopster.” The Hopster has been around for a number of years and is a very good choice for that classic vehicle such as a 1955, 1956 and especially 1957 Chevrolet street rods. American Racing Hopster wheels are beautiful wheels for your classic ride that features timeless 5-spoke styling. Street rods and customs often have over sized wheel wells and huge fender openings that must be properly filled to achieve the right look. American Racing Hopster’s would be a good choice. When properly fitted, it’s tough to beat the look of a fender full of great looking aluminum custom wheels and high-performance low profile tires. Stock wheels just don’t cut it any more as the baby boomers of the 1960s start to retire and relive their teenage years.
The American Racing Hopster series 550 is a 2 piece custom wheel that comes in fully polished aluminum and will fit various bolt patterns and sizes from 15 X 10 inches up to 17 X 9.5 inches in width. Looking for something bigger? American Racing offers the Hopster in a custom offset series 450. The Hopster series 450 is also a fully polished 2 piece aluminum alloy custom wheel. The series 450 is offered in 15 X 10 inches all the way up to 20 X 10 inches in width. The Hopster series C450 is a third choice offered by American Racing that features a 2 piece alloy polished rim and a chrome center. All Hopster’s have the American Racing logo featured on their great looking center caps.
Custom wheels are one of the most common ways in which old car buffs and younger car enthusiasts customize their vehicles. As with most things in life you can settle for being average or you can stand out in the crowd. Installing a new set of custom chrome rims on your car will surely make heads turn.
Appearance oriented car enthusiasts look for the shine in chrome wheels. However you can also get great looks with polished aluminum wheels. Be prepared to spend more time on polished aluminum wheels compared to chrome plated custom alloy wheels. Black custom rims are a new hot style now seen on small tuner cars. Plus there are many other colors to choose from that will match your Honda tuner car.