American Racing Torque Thrust 2 spec's to fit S197 Mustang

RareMustang

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Earlier this year, I had American Racing build a custom set of Torque Thrust 2 wheels (VN215) for my 2007 Shelby GT to simulate the look of the 1966 Shelby GT350 (including the open center cap).

I deliberately went with a 17" wheel (instead of 18") and subsequent matched the appropriate tire height (to maintain speedometer accuracy) to maintain the look of a period GT350 in which the tire sidewall height is taller than today's restomod look of 20" wheels and 30-35 profile tires.

It took a lot of measurements by Discount Tire to get it right, but they look really cool on the car as the wheels now have a nice lip edge, still fit under the wheel arches, and just clear the brake calipers.

If anyone is interested, here are the spec's:

+32 offset
5 3/4 backspacing

DSC_2434.jpg

DSC_2488.jpg

DSC_2553.jpg
 

AHaze

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Looks good. What's the wheel width? The offset number doesn't mean much unless we know that.
 

RareMustang

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The cost per wheel was $599 (much higher than the off-the-shelf VN215) -- but they are noticeably higher quality (I think made in the USA), when compared to the regular (offshore cast) Torque Thrust 2 wheel.
 

Aerofinz

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Earlier this year, I had American Racing build a custom set of Torque Thrust 2 wheels (VN215) for my 2007 Shelby GT to simulate the look of the 1966 Shelby GT350 (including the open center cap).

I deliberately went with a 17" wheel (instead of 18") and subsequent matched the appropriate tire height (to maintain speedometer accuracy) to maintain the look of a period GT350 in which the tire sidewall height is taller than today's restomod look of 20" wheels and 30-35 profile tires.

It took a lot of measurements by Discount Tire to get it right, but they look really cool on the car as the wheels now have a nice lip edge, still fit under the wheel arches, and just clear the brake calipers.

If anyone is interested, here are the spec's:

+32 offset
5 3/4 backspacing

View attachment 84668

View attachment 84669

View attachment 84670

It's rare to see a 17" wheel look "right". You nailed it.
 
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RareMustang

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We originally put 255/45/17's (square) on the car but the speedometer/odometer calculation with off slightly due to the overall diameter being off by something like 5-6%. So I had to retreat to a 235/55/17 Continental Extreme Contract DWS06 to preserve the correct overall diameter.

While the DWS06 is not quite as grippy as the other Continental Extreme Contact models (or Michelin Pilot Sport 4 A/S) -- it did come at a nice price ($205/tire) and I've come to appreciate the tire as a good all around wet/dry option on the street. Whereas I only buy high-end tires for my Porsches, etc. -- this tire has worked out well with no real compromises.
 

Jim O

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That looks fantastic. A look that I have always thought would be great on these cars.
 

Mark Zilio

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Man I love TTs. Have them on my 66. Those look amazing on a S197. I think Tim Allen had a similar set up on his Bullitt years ago.

Marks 66.jpeg
 

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