What are these rims called?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Taylor Michigan
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Duvall, WA
My dad owned a company that sold Western Wheels back in the '70s. I remember those turbines from the Western catalog. When he stopped carrying them, we had a stack of those from floor to ceiling in the garage. He may still have them, for all I know.
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From: mount holly NC
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The top picture looks like "denthevetteman" s car. Those are Western Wheels circa mid 70's.
The wheels came rough cast and he spent a lot of time to polish them.
The second picture I don't recognise.
RCREAD- I need 2 center caps if you dad still has any.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The wheels came rough cast and he spent a lot of time to polish them.
The second picture I don't recognise.
RCREAD- I need 2 center caps if you dad still has any.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Last edited by Peterbuilt; Nov 24, 2010 at 12:33 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Shank,
Modern trends will come and go the turbine wheel is timeless....
Nothing could be more "C3" they were the style wheel that was on the Mako 2 show car and "turbine" style wheels I am guessing are the number one most popular aftermarket wheel for a C3 because they do look so good on the car, they blow away steel rally's and the fake hub cap turbines that came on some chrome bumper cars... and IMHO are better than factory aluminum's that came out later,
The 82 CE car had them also....GM knew what looked good on the C3
The picture you posted intrigues me because I do not recall them with the lugs in line with a fin,
Most had a round center, I was given a set by a very cool member on here, I will use cone and spinners that will hide my lugs altogether.
If you are looking for the exact wheel in your picture I do not know if you will find them
But "turbines" and all the other nick names and company names people gave you will give you the ammo you need to find a set.
Modern trends will come and go the turbine wheel is timeless....
Nothing could be more "C3" they were the style wheel that was on the Mako 2 show car and "turbine" style wheels I am guessing are the number one most popular aftermarket wheel for a C3 because they do look so good on the car, they blow away steel rally's and the fake hub cap turbines that came on some chrome bumper cars... and IMHO are better than factory aluminum's that came out later,
The 82 CE car had them also....GM knew what looked good on the C3
The picture you posted intrigues me because I do not recall them with the lugs in line with a fin,
Most had a round center, I was given a set by a very cool member on here, I will use cone and spinners that will hide my lugs altogether.
If you are looking for the exact wheel in your picture I do not know if you will find them
But "turbines" and all the other nick names and company names people gave you will give you the ammo you need to find a set.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,404
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From: Western NY
I don't have a lot of "new" information, but as several people have already mentioned, they were a popular style of wheel in the 70s and 80s, and many companies made a version of them. American Racing, Appliance, E-T, Western Wheels, just to name a few, all made them.
The first picture posted, on the black Corvette, look like either Americans or Westerns. Back in those days, I sold HP wheels and tires, to make some extra pocket money, and that second wheel looks like one that I sold a couple sets of, made by one of the "secondary" manufacturers, but I just can't remember the brand name.
The first picture posted, on the black Corvette, look like either Americans or Westerns. Back in those days, I sold HP wheels and tires, to make some extra pocket money, and that second wheel looks like one that I sold a couple sets of, made by one of the "secondary" manufacturers, but I just can't remember the brand name.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I don't have a lot of "new" information, but as several people have already mentioned, they were a popular style of wheel in the 70s and 80s, and many companies made a version of them. American Racing, Appliance, E-T, Western Wheels, just to name a few, all made them.
The first picture posted, on the black Corvette, look like either Americans or Westerns. Back in those days, I sold HP wheels and tires, to make some extra pocket money, and that second wheel looks like one that I sold a couple sets of, made by one of the "secondary" manufacturers, but I just can't remember the brand name.
The first picture posted, on the black Corvette, look like either Americans or Westerns. Back in those days, I sold HP wheels and tires, to make some extra pocket money, and that second wheel looks like one that I sold a couple sets of, made by one of the "secondary" manufacturers, but I just can't remember the brand name.
You might have to strip sand paint coat whatever but old school have a spirit new wheels do not,
Someone might what them bad enough and have all that free cash to pay 1200, not me, I wouldnt run those, the threads subject car has for free as I do not like how the lugs are in line with a fin, looks odd to me,
What's on your car and several other posted are what I consider the best looking turbine wheels...to each their own....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Florida
#1 is Western “Cyclone II” (mistakenly called Vectors)
#2 is not a Western nor an American Vector
The “turbine” style was also made by many companies but had many more fins like this.
Western’s turbines were called “Cyclone I”
Back in 1975 I bought a brand new set of 4 Western Cyclone II’s complete for around $250.00, with centers and lug nuts.
Wester made a bunch of styles, but I should have gotten the “Superlites” a copy of the “Minilites”, still would be hot today.
#2 is not a Western nor an American Vector
The “turbine” style was also made by many companies but had many more fins like this.
Western’s turbines were called “Cyclone I”
Back in 1975 I bought a brand new set of 4 Western Cyclone II’s complete for around $250.00, with centers and lug nuts.
Wester made a bunch of styles, but I should have gotten the “Superlites” a copy of the “Minilites”, still would be hot today.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Perhaps it depends on where you are looking but spinners/adapters are far from rare or hard to find, 
http://spinnercenter.com/
What's really cool is to use the cones that cover the ugly lugs for a knock off wheel look...
I have bought many things from the above outfit they are great!!!
http://spinnercenter.com/
What's really cool is to use the cones that cover the ugly lugs for a knock off wheel look...
I have bought many things from the above outfit they are great!!!