Vintage Torq Trust Style wheel restoration.
 

I have been working on restoring a set of 1960s Rocket RPM special wheels. Anyone have a NOS or really nice set of original center caps for these wheels? Or a good picture of what the center caps would have looked like. Here is my progress on one wheel after polishing the lip. Anyone have a paint suggestion for correct cast paint color for center. Has anyone ever used Martin Senour MS 7250 Iron Block Cast Paint on wheel spokes? Thanks.

Hey Nasblu,


Check out these guys. They have lots of pix and may have views of what you need. Nice wheels, btw. Gutsy to go the road-less-travelled!


http://akhwheels.com/

AKH may give you some info. but my suggestion is don't deal with the guy. Bad experiences and he typically over restores his aluminum rims, meaning he scrubs them flat and polishes to satin finish.
There was a guy down in S. Cal., Rods West if my memory serves. He restored TTs correctly but haven't seen him at any of the recent shows. Good guy that really knew his craft.

Thanks guys I have talked to the guy at AKH wheels before but I never bought anything from him. There used to be another guy up in the northwest big into vintage wheels I believe they called him Torq Thrust Tony but dont have his info. One guy told me eastwood Detail Grey was a nice match for vintage torq thrusts
Spokes. I dont want to slap american racing centers on the wheels. I hope I can find a set of the original caps. The caps look to have a rocket going threw the center of a wheel. I have never seen a clear picture of the center cap in person.

'

It looks like other Mfg's used the same Caps w/ different Centers as ET pic below, maybe you can find some and swap Centers?
Coker has a few Rocket Caps although none the same as you need, the page keeps changing but there's a similar Rocket Ctr. only around page 4-7 @ this link...
https://www.cokertire.com/accessories/caps.html#p=6
Other style 5-bolt tab Caps may fit too, I just checked the tab mount hole Ctr to Ctr dimensions of some Fenton Dish Caps here and got 2-1/8" between holes 1&2 also 3-7/16" between holes 1&3.
Best of luck w/ your quest!
:beers:
~ Pete

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----On some original T/T's I have restored I used Long Island Corvettes 1965-66 knock-off wheel rattle can paint. Its a bit dark but I like the contrast with the polished rim......Bill S

I have lately been using Plastikote paint called "Steel Wheels". I'm pretty happy with it.

Thanks everyone for the information.

Just Finished restoring my wheels. I need to find a very nice original or NOS set of Rocket R.P.M Special center caps. These 15x6 wheels are goin to soon to be mated with a set of 670x15 Bf Goodrich Slivertown Blackwall tires. Anyone know of any of these center caps let me know. Thanks.

Fenton cap for show till find correct center caps and screws.

Look awesome, the fenton caps will do just fine until you find what you want.

Oh that is nice.

Looks beautiful. You should go into business restoring wheels.....

As others have said, those really came out nice!

That right there is wicked. Very nice work!

Thanks guys for all the positive comments.

Until I find an original or NOS set of Rocket RPM center caps (if ever) I am debating on running the ET or Fenton Center caps. The wheels are going on a 62 corvette with blackwall BFG 670x15 silvertowns on the front and maybe the same on the rear or a set of M&H Racemaster or Radir vintage cheater slicks on the rear??? Any opinions on what looks better? I have concerns about green ET centers on a Roman Red car.

I like the fenton caps.

PLEASE post pics when done!

They look fantastic, x2 on the Fenton caps FWIW.

Thanks guys I will definitely post pictures when I get this figured out and completed.

If anyone has a close up picture of these vintage Rocket Wheel Center caps I am trying to get a close up picture of the Center Cap decal to see the original lettering font so I can duplicate the original decal. I have had no luck searching the internet or various vintage wheel places. Thanks

Nasblu, go to kustomwheel.com I see they have an old Rocket sales book from 1968 on there website under the 60s tab. It has the same picture you just posted and maybe they would be willing to scan the center cap for you to get a better close up! It might be worth a try and it is a cool sight to check out.

You must have read my mind. I have been on their website many of times great stuff. I have already contacted them. Waiting to hear back.

Nice work ,How about a before pic to compare with the finished

Before

Tagging this topic for my future reference.. :)
Wheel paint.

Finished the caps came out like I wanted. Got some slotted pan head chrome screws like they originally had. Cant wait for tires.

Nice!

If u find the correct center caps I might be interested in the Fenton caps if u decide to sell them! I just picked up 2 Fenton Wheels that need caps! Your wheel restoration turn out very nice.

X2 Very Nice

I actually have the original set of Fenton Gyros wheels that those caps came on new in 1971 I just placed them on there to get an idea what they would look like.

Wheel restoration like that is an art in itself. Can't wait to see what they look like on the car, hope you'll post pics.

Well done!

Firestone Deluxe Champion Tires mounted ready to be put on the 62 corvette in the spring.

Wow did those turn out nice!

Finally after months of waiting I put the vintage rocket wheels on the 62.

----Ohoooo,,, Bad mamajamma!!!!!.....Bill S

Very nice look for the Vette. Looks great with the pie crusts too.

Beautiful. That brings back some great memories.