wheel Poll ?

FUNFER2 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 04:07 PM

I would like some opinions on two different wheels. I have the torque thrust "D" wheels now. I have found a set of edelbrock 454's. Several people have said they like them because they were used on Shelbys mustangs and other Ford models. The 454's are discontinud & hard to find.

Poll- 1- the Torque thrust "D"
2- Edelbrock 454

I will try to include photos of both here. If I can't, can anyone help ? My pics are too large to post.

Thank you,
Kevin

FUNFER2 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 04:09 PM

Here's the 454

FUNFER2 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 04:12 PM

The "D" wheels

RedCSX · #4 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 04:13 PM

I guess the Eldelbrocks are sort of close to the Sunburst wheels that came on many of the Cobra's. Prefer Trigos or Halibrands for a more original look.

FUNFER2 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 04:25 PM

I agree. I just would like something a little different with the 454.
It seems that a lot of cobras are running the Great looking Trigos & Hailbrand. On cobras, if you don't have something different, they all look the same. Red/blue/white/black bodys...strips ect....With hot rods, it's a lot eaiser to custom the car. I like the looks of the orignials with some up to date mods. I think if you get too far away, they look too modern. Not, that theres anything wrong with that but, I like the old school. There are many...great looking cobras with 17" wheels, I want to stay with the 15".

cobrajeff · #6 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 04:37 PM

There were no Shelby Mustangs, Ford Mustangs, or Cobras EVER offered with the "Edelbrock 454" wheel. It is an aftermarket wheel that looks a LITTLE bit like a Cobra Halibrand knock-off wheel. Not more so than a Compomotive or Team III wheel, and not nearly as much so as a Halibrand, Trigo, or PS Engineering wheel.

I don't understand why on earth they would call it a "454" rim - is their Marketing Department totally oblivious? Why not call it a "289" or a "427"? ... but a "454"??? I know both Ford and GM had "427" engines, but only the "Brand X" guys made a factory "454". The wheel is obviously designed to resemble a Cobra Halibrand - maybe they'd have been more popular if they had chosen a better number to represent the line.

Or maybe they thought all two of the Corvette Grand Sport replica kits would want them........

regards,

Jeff

FUNFER2 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 04:50 PM

Jeff, you must have not understood my wording on the 454. I was saying the Torque thrust "D" wheel, were used on Shelbys, Mustangs ect....not the 454. They make no advertized notion of these being for Cobras. I ,just thought the 454 would be an alternative to other cobra style wheels.

Bluesman · #8 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 05:10 PM

Funfer2
If you decide to go to the 454's and your Torq-Thrust D's are going to be sold, I am looking for two 15X10's and two 15X12's all with 5" backspacing. I have Centerline Champ 500's now and am going to change the wheels in a few weeks.

cobrajeff · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 05:16 PM

Kevin -

Yes, I guess I did misunderstand your statement. I agree the Edelbrock "454" wheel looks similar enough to a Cobra wheel to make it a contender for consideration on your car.

I still think Edelbrock messed up naming the wheel.

The Torque Thrust "D's" of course, are also an aftermarket wheel, that lhappens to look period correct. No Shelbys or Cobras (with the exception of a handful of prototypes and Dragon Snakes) ever came from the factory with them. But they do look "period correct", and give a different look from what a lot of people are running.

Good luck in your quest to make your car unique and different.

regards,

Jeff

FUNFER2 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 05:22 PM

Sorry Bluesman, mine are 15x8 ang 15x 7. If I keep the "D"s, I believe the widest torque thrusts, ("D", II, all chrome) are 10's. Unless I haven't seen other wider ones. I also want the 10" in either the "D" or the 454.

FUNFER2 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 05:29 PM

Jeff, hehe ! I don't know why they used the name "454" Maybe they couldn't decide on the name & had 454 employes so, that's what it was called ! Carroll Shelby & team had the same problems so he asked "how many steps from here is that building over there" someone replied " oh, about 350" so thats how they named the GT 350 Mustang. kinda funny !

Bumpster · #12 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 08:04 PM

If my Kirkham didn't come with Trigos, I would have the D's. I have liked the look of them since the sixties, and I don't think I have ever seen them on a car where they didn't look great.

Bumpster

Tongue Pirate · #13 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 08:50 PM

You guys are all wheel snobs!!!!

The 454 wheels look really nice. Like a Halibrand variation with a slight modern twist. Torqs always look good too! Tough decision

FUNFER2 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 08:56 PM

SNOBS.......! ya, I guess we are !
trying to make our babies better all the time.

Edley Rondinone · #15 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 09:12 PM

454's look like a Cobra wheel a la Trigo, PSE, etc. The "D"s are very 60's-ish, period correct, and a good look as well. "D"s are more "hot-roddish"; 454s look more "genteel", more "sporty-car". Personal preferences rule here. Hard choice to make; I have polished Trigos, FWIW!

FUNFER2 · #16 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 11:16 AM

Edley- how much were your polished trigos ?
I bought a industrial size polisher/buffer. I may....start a small business polishing alum. parts. I'm in the process of doing my cobra parts & if I keep the "D" wheels, I will polish the outer rim. I'll bet doing your wheels was very time consuming !

Edley Rondinone · #17 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 04:30 PM

FunFer2: Polished Trigos from them were $3000. Unpolished Trigos are $2400, I think. Lynn Park has a small polishing company polish a set at a time, so he always has a set at his World Headquarters in La Crescenta. He also has some CHROMED aluminum wheels, for people who dont like the hours of polishing! Lynn sold a set of the CHROMED Trigos to some friends for their '32 Ford Roadster; the pin-drives look great on the old cars. too!

sllib · #18 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 07:03 PM

Kevin;
Allow me to throw another contender into the ring. Back in the Sixties American had a straight spoke wheel, with no curve to the spoke, that a lot of hot cars ran. There is a company out in CA, Vintage Wheel Works, that makes both the straight AND the "D" spoke in a 17" wheel, and they can be had in an 11" width for a few $$ more. The back space is half the width, but they will make it to your spec.s, again for a price. I visited Vintage on a business trip to LA and was very impressed with their product, so much so that I intend to put them on my Unique build. Food for thought.
Bill Stradtner

George Snyder · #19 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 07:21 PM

Kevin,
Here is a picture of the wheels I am using. Just a little different. They also come with black centers.
Bud

foothills gary · #20 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 11:03 PM

If I remember correctly the Edelbrock website had the"454" mounted on a Chevelle.It didn't look right,but I suppose the context would then be appropriate for the name.