vintage trans am look.....your thoughts?

[musclecarmatt]

Hey guys....well i got this idea...i want your input on it.....mite be nuts or crazy or both lol....https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/confused-1.gif https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/09/crazy-1.gif https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/eek-1.gif ....here it goes

I got the factory Z wheels on it now....switching to 17's...and try to do this on a tight budget as possible...ordering American Racing TT2's 17x8 front and 17x9.5 rear.....i want to start by prepping the wheel and painting them the spokes low luster grey...i think as the trans am camaros ran them...i have to check on the "correct color"...if anybody knows i would appreciate....and then where the polished lip is...painting them a aluminum color which will give it that vintage feel.....still pictureing and planning in my head at the moment....and some probably think thats alot work for just wheels but it be an idea....and nobody in my area runs vintage trans am look.....whatcha think?https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/innocent-1.gif

[srh3trinity]

Are TT2's polished? If so, I would brush the lips and then go with the gray you mentioned for the center. That would look great if you ask me.

[musclecarmatt]

Are TT2's polished? If so, I would brush the lips and then go with the gray you mentioned for the center. That would look great if you ask me.

yes...thats why i want knock down that polish on the lips....what type brush?

[srh3trinity]

I think people use a scotch brite pad with good results.

[musclecarmatt]

I think people use a scotch brite pad with good results.

basically rub scrotch brite over the lip til gets that natural finish?.....just making sure lol

[LeighP]

Why TT2's? No one ever raced with them on, they are from a much later time period.
Use Torque Thrust Originals or similiar....or there are a few companies making cheaper versions of Minilites, which would be even more correct.

[vanzuuk1]

Search for gsxrken on here, I painted the centers of his tt2s gunmetal grey. They look great I think.The scotchbrite works great but be advised you will have to touch them up once in a while.Try a grey scotchbrite,that should look nice.

[musclecarmatt]

Why TT2's? No one ever raced with them on, they are from a much later time period.
Use Torque Thrust Originals or similiar....or there are a few companies making cheaper versions of Minilites, which would be even more correct.

tryin to do modern sizing with vintage look.....tt2's are slightly different design but i still have the orignal theme....

[MikeDVC]

you could get the CL205 TT2's; the centers are gray, not polished.

[MikeDVC]

Just wanted to add, I painted the center of my TT2's last year. PM me if you want details on what I did; they turned out pretty good.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/IMG_1444-1.jpg

[novaderrik]

if you want the "real" Trans Am look, then you need minilites with tall lug nuts. i believe you can get them in 17" sizes these days.
torque thrusts were generally used on drag cars and street racers/posers back in the day.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

yes do this ^

[rogue]

17s wont work. I'm regretting my 17s and my decision to upgrade my brakes to SL6 wilwoods because I cannot run traditional 15's with goodyear blue streaks.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/BillboardMay09d-1.jpg

The proper way to go with a trans am look would be 15's, goodyear billboards, and some 5 spoke torq thrust's from PS engineering or the minilights. Don't forget the long lugs.

I'm not happy about the direction my car took after the brake upgrade. But I'm working on a super secret project.
Up top is Guldstrand in 1972 i believe in the Dana Chevrolet car, and thats me at Buttonwillow last year (image reversed). The wheel and tires make ALL the difference. I could care less about laptimes when a stock miata is lapping you anyway. Its all about fun

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/danedanachevrolet-1.jpg

[rogue]

if you want the "real" Trans Am look, then you need minilites with tall lug nuts. i believe you can get them in 17" sizes these days.
torque thrusts were generally used on drag cars and street racers/posers back in the day.

Unless its PS engineering, they don't look right IMO. I've been eyeballing all 3 and keep going back to phil.

[Bjkadron]

If you are going to knock the shine off polished aluminum. I would go with a red scotchbrite bad. it is slightly rougher that the gray one that is considered non-abrasive. Just make sure you only brush it in one direction, don't do a crosshatch pattern or you will never get the messed up scratches out.

[musclecarmatt]

i got lots of ideas but...i need the modern sizing to race autocross....i know the t/a cars ran big tires......how about these wheels they sort of like minilites....

http://driverzinc.com/product/vintage-wheel-works-v48/

[srh3trinity]

Those are cool too. Team III makes a similar Minilite style wheel.

[Toadman]

At work (sheet metal fab shop), for a brushed aluminum finish, we use the red scotchbrite pads with WD-40. I don't know exactly what it does, but the WD-40 makes all the difference. I'm considering doing my bumpers like this.

[musclecarmatt]

i guess not going for the total "correct" look but like an inheritance look.....mite look into the 17 minilites...i know donohue and 68 sunoco camaro ran torque thrust design..

[Mr. Anderson]

Some inspiration for ya. With the exception of the last car running spiders, the vast majority of Trans Am cars were all running Minilites by the '70 season.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/Camaro03vi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/TA70BryarChaparralCamarovi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/70OwensCorningCamaro3vi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/71CamaroTA1vi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/RoadAmerica71LaurelCamarovi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/SmokeyCamaroWatkinsGlen72TAvi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/71CamaroSmokeyvi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/TA71CarterCamaroBackvi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/TA72WarrenAgorCamarovi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/AlfredRuysDePerez72TACamarovi-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/TA72HoffmanCamarovi-1.jpg

[gsxrken]

Some inspiration for ya. With the exception of the last car running spiders, the vast majority of Trans Am cars were all running Minilites by the '70 season.


Those cars look amazing, and it's the fat tires on them on the lowered car that does it.
The worst part of the big brakes is they force you into the heavier, more expensive, and not as good-looking 17or better sizes. I didn't get them for looks or handling, believe me. F1 cars use 13" rims and a lot of tire and they seem to go pretty good.
Of course, tire choice is getting scarce for the 15-16 inch rims.

Pic of my painted TT2s- kudos to Mr. Vanzuuk

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Bad Bird]

Big 15" wheels, with Avon CR6ZZs would be a pretty good choice. Not a bad tire at all, with a lot of the GT40 guys running them.

[musclecarmatt]

well guys....i probably end going to Vintage wheel works V45's......i really like that style......at least it have vintage feel.....trans am cars are the sexiest cars on the planet! lol

[DarkBuddha]

While minilites were very popular, I've got images that show vintage trans am cars that used steelies, daisy spokes, and original torq thrusts. I think the TT2s could be made to work if the centers were sand or bead blasted and the rims were knocked down... something like this (though I think these are actually V48s):

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/hrdp_0610_boss_02_z1970_ford_mustang_bos-1.jpg

[musclecarmatt]

While minilites were very popular, I've got images that show vintage trans am cars that used steelies, daisy spokes, and original torq thrusts. I think the TT2s could be made to work if the centers were sand or bead blasted and the rims were knocked down... something like this (though I think these are actually V48s):

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/hrdp_0610_boss_02_z1970_ford_mustang_bos-1.jpg

that stang looks super nice!...i like the mix of the modern style and traditional trans am.....them look to be the V40's.......they also look very nice!

[DarkBuddha]

I think you're right... V40s. The V48s are the ones that look like minilites.

[davidk68]

Matt, I'm not trying to hijack your thread, but I'm gonna do the same thing with my AR 200s wheels. It would be great if Mike or Mr. Vanzuuk could give a little detail on how they prepped and painted their centers. Sandblast at low pressure, grit of sandpaper, type of primer, flat or semi-gloss and what % ??. I think gsxrken's wheels look awesome. Or...is it better to have them powder coated??

Thanks,
David

[osdmike]

American Torq Thrust "D"
8.5x15 Front
10x15 Rear


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/24101339815-1.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=339815)

[vanzuuk1]

The 68 donohue camaro had torq thrusts...

[vanzuuk1]

Those cars look amazing, and it's the fat tires on them on the lowered car that does it.
The worst part of the big brakes is they force you into the heavier, more expensive, and not as good-looking 17or better sizes. I didn't get them for looks or handling, believe me. F1 cars use 13" rims and a lot of tire and they seem to go pretty good.
Of course, tire choice is getting scarce for the 15-16 inch rims.

Pic of my painted TT2s- kudos to Mr. Vanzuuk Thanks Ken, the steak was awesome..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Thanks Ken, the steak that day was awesome.

[vanzuuk1]

American Torq Thrust "D"
8.5x15 Front
10x15 Rear


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/02/24101339815-1.jpg (http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewgallery.php?action=viewimg&id=339815)

Great lookin car..

[osdmike]

17s wont work. I'm regretting my 17s and my decision to upgrade my brakes to SL6 wilwoods because I cannot run traditional 15's with goodyear blue streaks.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/BillboardMay09d-1.jpg

The proper way to go with a trans am look would be 15's, goodyear billboards, and some 5 spoke torq thrust's from PS engineering or the minilights. Don't forget the long lugs.

I'm not happy about the direction my car took after the brake upgrade. But I'm working on a super secret project.
Up top is Guldstrand in 1972 i believe in the Dana Chevrolet car, and thats me at Buttonwillow last year (image reversed). The wheel and tires make ALL the difference. I could care less about laptimes when a stock miata is lapping you anyway. Its all about fun

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/danedanachevrolet-1.jpg

--------------------------------------------
I found a pic of Your car. I really like these wheels.

[TheJDMan]

I love the Trans-Am look but I have not found any really wide tires in 15". Who makes a good selection of wide 15" tires?

[KacyZ28]

I love the Trans-Am look but I have not found any really wide tires in 15". Who makes a good selection of wide 15" tires?

x2 but the problem is there is only a few performance 15" tires still on the market to suit this build style.

[brad02ss]

Love the trans-am look. I'd like to go with the 17in V48's with slicks for autocross and some nice 18's or 19's for the street.

[osdmike]

I love the Trans-Am look but I have not found any really wide tires in 15". Who makes a good selection of wide 15" tires?

I bought a pair of these.
Haven´t´tried them on though.

I don´t know if they are available in the U.S.?


http://www.ityre.com/en/tyres/catalog/hankook/size/17233/

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