Airetime

Custom Machined “Corvette” Center Caps for Torque Thrust II Wheels

I had posted a thread to find out if there was enough interest to put together a run of center caps with the Crossed Flags with the "V" for those of us who have American Racing Wheels on our Corvettes. Somehow I ended up with the poll option which closed it after just a few replies. Here is what was posted and my apologies. Lets see if I can post this again properly..

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was having a custom set of Billet Aluminum Center Caps made for my Torque Thrust II wheels for my Corvette. It is a nice affordable way of adding a bit of style instead of the boring plain caps or the ones with American Racing on them. These have the design engraved using water jets and then are professionally polished to a high sheen. I just received these in time for the Waterfront Corvette Show this past weekend. The good news was that I received a lot of interest on each style.

Here are the designs that he did; the crossed flags with the V, larger flags without the V and the Chevrolet Bow Tie Design. These are the “Shorty Style Caps. With less high quality accessories available for our C1’s and C2’s in the past few years, these are kind of unique!

I am not looking at doing these on a large scale basis but I was asked by vt65 if I would post some pics when they were finished and “if” there was enough interest, maybe I could put together a group price deal. IMO, these center caps are beautiful!

If there at least 12 CF members that want them, I can get them for $195 (set of 4). I think that is a very fair price as everyone here knows what it cost for custom work like this to be done. The price would be plus actual shipping. Remember, these are for the newer style Torque Thrust II Wheels, not the old style.

Let me know if there is enough interest.








Sorry about that, I rushed putting the pics in before I had to go out of town for a few days. Hope this link works!

vt65

all i get is Yahoo's search page when i click your links Airetime

out2kayak

The links don't work.



-- Joe

wesmigletz

The links did not work for me. I liked the ones you posted the other day, and may be interested in a set.

CWerner

I would be interested, but want to see them first. Links don't work.

coopdog

Are the center caps flat? I have a c1 (1961) and the front center caps need about 1 1/2 clearance to cover the front dust caps.

Plasticman

Airetime never followed up on this original post back in May of 2010. But he did have this thread a few days prior to this thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ii-wheels.html

As to your question, it looks like there is some depth there to cover the grease caps, but can't say if they are enough for a C1.

I added spinners to my TTD wheels and it is covered here:

The spinners are a common parts store item purchased at Pep Boys. I had to make adapters to mount them on to the TTD wheels. Paul67 is using a different version (and I think his "spin" on to tighten), and I think his might be available commercially. As you can see, my spinners sit tighter to the wheel, whereas Paul's are extended outward a little.

I did not have that option when I adapted mine. Mine are held on via 3 set screws hidden behind each "wing". The center emblems were spares left over from my 70 Vette I had years ago (with AR 200S wheels), and never used. Have not found new spares for those, and I sold that Vette in 87. The adapters were pretty easy, since the plastic center caps for the AAR wheels are basically the same OD as the spinner rear ID. I removed the center cap end cone, down to 1/2" extending out from the center cap mounting flange. I then made a steel ring that supports the inside of the center cap ring (since the AR center cap is chrome plated plastic, it needs the steel reinforcement ring for the screws and threads that hold the spinner on). The support ring was sheet metal cut in a 1/2" wide strip and rolled in a circle to fit the center of the end cap extension). I used epoxy to glue the steel support ring to the inside of the center cap ring. I opened up the rear "hole" on the spinners, so they fit over the AR center ring extension. Drilled 3 radial holes for the screws (through both the spinner and the extension/support ring). These spinners have a raised boss behind each wing that are perfect for drilling the radial holes (adds extra "meat" for the retaining threads). I used SS sheet metal screws with hex heads. Using a short "Spin Tite" (available from Sears), I can remove and install the 3 screws easily (without being able to see the actual screw) due to the hex head screw and Spin Tite. The shorter Spin Tite fits perfectly in the space between the spinner and the wheel rim. Still a slight pain to have to remove the spinners before taking off a wheel, but visually well worth it.

And note that since each spinner has it's mounting screw holes drilled individually, I must put the correct spinner on the right wheel, and they must be indexed correctly as well (magic marker on the inside of each serves that purpose). No mixing and matching! If I had drilled them on a jig (which I probably should of done), they would not of had that issue.

If you need more info, be happy to get pictures, etc.

Plasticman

Airetime

The caps are 7/8" tall as measured from the outside and are 3/4" on the inside. These were designed to fit the Torque Thrust II Center caps. They may fit others but as you can see they are rather flat. Thanks for asking...

Kerrmudgeon

Trouble is, when you start making them in quantity and selling them, the GM trademark boys will be knocking at you door regarding licensing fees! Expecially on a popular national forum.

Airetime

That's why I am not having them mass produced and these are in limited quantity. The designs were ones that I came up that I thought might look good on my Corvette wheels. I have purchased items that were "GM Approved" in the past and to say I was unhappy with the quality is an understatement. Once these are gone, they are gone unless he wants to make some more. I am not making money on these center caps.

Anyhow, we ran off a few, the machinist still had the programs for some and since we had some in stock we decided to pass them on to some members here at a fair price.

Kerrmudgeon

They look awesome BTW, how much do you think a set will be?

MarvBarrish

I would be interested in a set.

Airetime

$220 includes Shipping/handling to the lower 48 while he still has them. You wouldn't be dissapointed...

Airetime

$220 includes Shipping/handling to the lower 48 while he still has them. You wouldn't be dissapointed... PM me if you want a set and make sure that say which ones, the crossed flags or the crossed flags with the "V".

c2roadster

Well, I ordered a set of the center caps with the crossed flags with the v for my 66 roadster. Wow, how nice are they. They turned out beautiful and add such a nice touch to an already great looking wheel. Airetime, i can't thank you enough for your help. Again, the corvette forum comes through because of people like you!

MFPrice

Airetime, do you still have any of the Corvette Center Caps for the Torq Thrust II Wheels? If yes can you send me pics and still $220? Thanks. -Michael, mprice at ceoventures.com

MarvBarrish

I ended up having adapters made to fit the 63-67 tri-bar spinners which I mounted to my early US mags. I used the 63 spinner just out of preference.

Plasticman

Marv,

Looks good!

Any drawings or dimensions available for the adapters?

Plasticman

MarvBarrish

Plasticman. Not really. But I would be happy to put you in touch with the guy who made them for me if you PM me. Regards, Marv

midyearguru

Hi,
I'm interested in installing 1963 Corvette hubcap spinners on a set of American Racing Torque Thrust D wheels. Any information you can provide to put me in touch with the person who made the adapters will be appreciated.
Thanks!