SCCA Trans Am Wheels

[gen3bu]

not trying to hijack, but does anyone make the minilites in 17-18" diameters?

[vanzuuk1]

How expensive is expensive? I am sitting down.Also how slow is slow?

[vanzuuk1]

there is a company called vintage wheel works , they make those sizes. www.vintagewheelworks.com

[gen3bu]

there is a company called vintage wheel works , they make those sizes. www.vintagewheelworks.com

the mini lite style only comes in 16x8

[vanzuuk1]

sorry , I will tell you if I see any.

[mikes69z]

Van,

As far as who makes 4.5 backspacing - almost everyone! But they are sometimes a custom order. And if not interested in Minilites, You can also get Torque Thrusts in 15x8 with a 4.5" backspacing also. I was considering them also.. They would be a custom order and would be about $300-320 a wheel. The TTII you can also get in larger diameters if you want...
For comparison, my Mini's were $300 a wheel (they were custom drilled for the long mag style lug nuts)
And.. Minilite also makes a 16" wheel, but I think it would look silly on a Camaro, Mustang, etc. You can check it out on their website...

[vanzuuk1]

Mike who is everyone? I called american racing they said no and i also stuck out at vintage wheel works . I am looking for the d's with the black center. I also think they would look great with the long lugs . thanks .also any photos of your car with the 4.5 backspacing? is the car lowered ? I dont mean to grill you but not many others use the 15 inch rims.

[mikes69z]

Wow, it was about a year ago i was trying to decide between the Torque thrust D and the Minilites. American Racing's website used to show that custom offsets were available and the 4.5 backspacing on a 15x8 was possible.

Try giving a call to one of their dealers. All I can say is that the 3.75 offset will not work with a 15x8 wheel on a 67-69 Camaro....

No pics yet of my car, but the Minilites fit great both front and rear.

[vanzuuk1]

Mike I called them and they said no ,I'll try again. PLEASE send me pics of your car when you can , I would love to see it. thanks

[Neil B]

I have 15x8 4.5BS Trans-Am Minilites on my '69Z. The 15x8's fit both front and rear with no fender mods or lip rolling. 255-60-15 tires in the rear, 235-60-15 tire in the front. It's a very tight fit in the back.

I purchased the wheels from www.minilitewheels.com. These are real Minilite wheels and are correct repros of the vintage T/A wheels except they are now made from aluminum. I received excellent service but they take approx. 12 weeks as mentioned because they are built to order in England.

[vanzuuk1]

Neil B You are killing Me , i have the same rims , backspace and goodrich t/a's with 235 60 15s and they rub in the front constantly! I know what your thinking but I only weigh 220 so i don't know why they rub so bad. If i look at your car in the photo it looks lower than mine. I am at a loss. i was at the minilite site and I stared at the thumbnails of your car , it's really nice . If you pm me more photos and spring info I would really appreciate it. thanks for the help.

[Neil B]

Neil B You are killing Me , i have the same rims , backspace and goodrich t/a's with 235 60 15s and they rub in the front constantly! I know what your thinking but I only weigh 220 so i don't know why they rub so bad. If i look at your car in the photo it looks lower than mine. I am at a loss. i was at the minilite site and I stared at the thumbnails of your car , it's really nice . If you pm me more photos and spring info I would really appreciate it. thanks for the help.

Vanzuuk1 - I have Hotchkis 2" drop springs and Koni shocks in the front. I also replaced the wheel well trim bolts with button-heads. I run aggressive camber settings (about 1.5 degrees neg.) which gets the top of the tire away from the fender. Let me know what you would like a photo of and I'll send it to you.

--Neil

[vanzuuk1]

Neil I should have thought of the camber settings that probably explains it.I just wanted shots of the car in general with some front and rear shots to show the stance.
I think your car is right where I want to end up as far as rims/tires/stance. you can email me at [email protected] if thats easier. thank you again.

[Neil B]

Vanzuuk, you have mail.

[PAI Racing]

I looked at the PSE's about 2 years ago and as I recall they were around $500/wheel. I do suffer from brain fade, so it could have been more or a little less, but that's the ballpark that I recall.

[vanzuuk1]

if anyone is interested ET wheels make a wheel just like the torq thrust d's . they are available with ( among other sizes) 4" and 4" 1/2 offset , polished or cast , for about 300 bucks . Neil B is right on the money with his specs and the proof is in the pictures, his car looks great. I have been trying to get a definitive answer for months about 15 inch rims and now I have it .go to www.etwheels.com and check them out.

[vintageracer]

If you want to see an "unfair advantage", go to a vintage race where Mr. Pat Ryan is entered with the REAL 1968 Penske "lightweight" Camaro. He has actively raced this car in over 200 vintage races since 1989. The car is beautiful. His son Shaun also races a real 1970 Trans Am Camaro. Shaun "spanked" my ass this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park at the HSR (Historic Sportscar Racing) Birmingham Historic Races this weekend.

If you want to see how a REAL Camaro Trans Am car really looks and is constructed, go to a vintage race and look at the real thing!

[vanzuuk1]

Mike I would love to go to a vintage race again but the trans am cars will not be at lime rock this year, supposedly they were not invited ! The glen is a long haul from me.
I know that Neils car is not a real race car , I just think it's a great example of how to get a 69 to look nice without chopping it up. It fits my skill level and budget. I plan on just giving my car the trans am look with a few things like wheels and stance, window straps , aluminum spoiler , lemans cap. etc.

[PAI Racing]

What about Pocono? That isn't too far off from Westchester. I would think that most vintage racing groups (HSR, etc) would have a couple of A/Sedan cars show up at their regional events even if Historic Trans-Am isn't invited. VARA and HSR-West usually get two or three cars to turn out for most of their monthly meetings.

[vanzuuk1]

I will probably go to the glen . the glen has a lot of history , I always feel like the infield at pocono is a parking lot with turns . I also want to see the penske cars in person.