crager wheels

[04birdman]

i have seen pictures on this site and others of a red retro bird..were the owner claims the wheels are crager ss...i talked to the crager factory yesterday..they do not make a wheel that will fit the tbird..due to the offset and bolt pattern...i like the look of the wheels in the picture...can anyone help explain what im seeing...thanks birdman

[5bird7]

Re: crager wheels

I assume this is the picture you saw. The owner sent me the email in August 2003. I do not know if he was or is a TBN member but at that time, he may have been. He lived(s) in Savanah, Georgia. I don't have info on the tires he ended up getting to fit the rims. nor do I have info on the size of rim he used. check to see if they have wheels that fit the Lincoln LS.

A number of owners have discovered that they can fit different offsets under the car.

[2FAST4U]

Re: crager wheels

I might be wrong, but these wheels look like some American Racing "Torque Thrusts C" to me... http://www.americanracing.com/browse_ar.asp
Claude

[yelobird2002]

Re: crager wheels

They're definitely not Cragars.

[5bird7]

Re: crager wheels

Looks like that solves a mystery. Crager SS is all the owner used to describe those wheels.

[Lonestar]

Re: crager wheels

The original and unmistakable Cragar SS wheel.

[5bird7]

Re: crager wheels

Pretty close copy. this is the American Racing Torque Thrust in chrome

[5bird7]

Re: crager wheels

Here's a couple of close-ups - his photos weren't that clear. Looks like a crager logo was used on the center cap. Also have profile of the wheel if that helps with ID'ing the wheel.

[Lonestar]

Re: crager wheels

Cragar has the original "SS" wheel in 17X7, 17X8, and 17X9 versions all with 5X4.25 bolt pattern. Do not know if the offsets available will work since I do not know the OEM offset. But available offsets are noted in their catalog. Looks like the wheels on the Thunderbird above are the Cragar 610s.

[5bird7]

Re: crager wheels

I've read of someone here using an offset as short as 45mm. the OEM offset is 60mm

[Bradford]

Re: crager wheels

I was looking for these rims a few months ago, Crager was making them, however I was told they were no longer. American Racing was making one very similar called "Fusion", it to has been discontinued.

I did put new rims on mine, however havn't posted photos yet. Car is currently filthy. I've been on the road since May 13, was driving in rain till 3 AM this morning. Now in Atlanta, priority is getting car cleaned, I'll post some photos after.

[5bird7]

Re: crager wheels

I just looked thru their (Crager's) online catalog and didn't find any wheels with a 5/4.25 bolt pattern. They were 5/4.50 or 5/5.75 - neither of which will fit the tbird.

[04birdman]

Re: crager wheels

i talked to bob deyoung at crager(909 947 1831) they do not make an SS wheel for the bird...but he did tell me there were some china made knock offs?..i like the look...so ill check on the american racing wheel...thank you all for the help

[Lonestar]

Re: crager wheels

My bad.. yep 5X4.5 available and not 5X4.25.

[5bird7]

Re: crager wheels

i talked to bob deyoung at crager(909 947 1831) they do not make an SS wheel for the bird...but he did tell me there were some china made knock offs?..i like the look...so ill check on the american racing wheel...thank you all for the help

Frank, I looked at the AR wheels above and their bolt pattern was 5/4.75, not the 5/4.25 that the tbird needs. Do watch for wheels that fit the Lincoln LS