American
Racing - Where the custom wheel industry got its roots. In
1954, Romeo Palamides, an early drag racing innovator, designed and
crafted leading edge lightweight magnesium drag racing wheels for his
dragster. It was the early years of hot rodding and street
enthusiast's interest in the lighter weight high tech wheels was
overwhelming. Working with partner Jim Ellison they started
American Racing Equipment in 1956.
Today the vision continues as American Racing's legacy of wheel crafting
leads the way in the custom wheel industry. Each wheel represents
American Racing's heritage and is an extension of Romeo Palamide's
original vision of cutting edge design and innovation.
Torq Thrust Wheels - The wheel that started a craze. In the late
50's, when European wheel companies were focused on semi-solid modular
designs, designer Tom Griffith conceived the tapored parabolic contour
spoked American Racing Torq Thrust® which reduced wheel weight and
promoted brake cooling. Considered by many to be the most famous
custom wheel of all time, the Torq Thrust® started the wheel craze and
made the conversion from the strip to the street. Often imitated,
never duplicated, the Torq Thrust® is the signature wheel for hot rodders
and custom purists.
