WHEELS: how good are the JGE Torkers??? are they a EXACT replica???

[Lee.C]

This is probably one for Fabs 

I have never really taken a CLOSE look at the JGE Torker wheels and I am wondering how good of a replica are they?

http://www.vwjava.webeden.co.uk/#/jge-wheels/4532880156

I know Fabs has done some work on his to get them looking a bit older but does anyone else have any thought?

Some good pictures of both would help 

[johnl]

Perhaps I can offer a bit here.  As most of you know I was around when the original Americans came to be.  That would be back in around 1964 as I recall which makes them predate the BRM.  I could be wrong on this but it is what I remember.

The original wheels had a two prong knock-off and were threaded left and right handed.  I know this for a fact as my first two, purchased used, were just that.

In 1971 When Doug Haydon and I purchased the remaining inventory of the "mag" examples from American they were all right handed threads and had a three prong knock-off.  Shortly after having five "new" wheels I found a nice thread on cap from the American accessory offerings to replace the three prong knock-off.  Those caps came with the American sticker and that is the way they ended up on my Butternut sedan.

It wasn't until years later that I learned these wheels were also offered in "aluminum" and I'd think they would be the same appearance.  That makes sense to me but I'm open if someone can advise otherwise.

When I got back into the Cal-look scene I wanted to find a set of real ones and put them on a car.  After talking with several folks whom I respect regarding their knowledge I became leary.  I did locate a set of four that I could have purchased but between cost and the possibility of fatigue I chose not to go there.

Someone who is very knowledgeable on these wheels tells me there are differences between the JGE and the other brands against the original Americans.  At one time I contacted Joe at JGE and was advised their offering was a direct copy of the original with structural improvements on the back side.  The snout on the later wheels is different than the originals but with little effort can be made to look very close if not exact.

At times I still get the urge to install a set of the JGE Torkers on the Green Monster but then I think of the cost and labor to do the change over along with the fact that the real Fuch I have on the car are a better wheel.

Hope this info will be of some assistance.

[Lee.C]

Thankyou John - I was hoping you might drop in 

I had already noticed the "snout"  area - it just seems a bit more "defined" than the originals - I am sure with a little grindin they could look like the originals,

The other thing I did notice was the outer rim...... it has an extra lip on the outer edge - are they a steel or ali rim

If they are ali then I guess I could get them "turned" down to give a flat outer edge 

Maybe fabs could help with some detailed pic's 

[johnl]

The other thing I did notice was the outer rim...... it has an extra lip on the outer edge - are they a steel or ali rim

As I recall the original Americans did have an outer lip.  I took one photo of mine and blew it up and the lip was there.  Unfortunately the photo would do no good to send in that size.

[johnl]

Try this link and there is a good close up shot:  http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,15114.msg221821.html#msg221821

[Lee.C]

this shows what I mean 

[Lee.C]

looks like I was wrong 

[Dyno-Don]

I have really been torn on installing these on Ruby. The one thing that kind of stands out to me is the spoke, where it "bends" backward to meet the rim looks to have a more pronounced angle than the original American's. Maybe it is just because of the shiny finish on these, but to me it just doesn't look quite "right"
What do you think?

[johnl]

I have really been torn on installing these on Ruby. The one thing that kind of stands out to me is the spoke, where it "bends" backward to meet the rim looks to have a more pronounced angle than the original American's. Maybe it is just because of the shiny finish on these, but to me it just doesn't look quite "right"
What do you think?

I think the photos above show a difference BUT I also think it is only the finish of the Torker.  If all of that glitz is removed I think you will find they are the same.

[johnl]

Oh, and the center caps on the original wheels is NOT what I ran back in the day.  Mine were a hex head and threaded on.  I'm betting these are attached from the back.  They don't look bad but are a noticeable difference to my eye.

[Dyno-Don]

I have really been torn on installing these on Ruby. The one thing that kind of stands out to me is the spoke, where it "bends" backward to meet the rim looks to have a more pronounced angle than the original American's. Maybe it is just because of the shiny finish on these, but to me it just doesn't look quite "right"
What do you think?

I think the photos above show a difference BUT I also think it is only the finish of the Torker.  If all of that glitz is removed I think you will find they are the same.

Thanks John

[speedwell]

Lee , i've just sand blasted mine to remove the color , and the CNC lines in the polished ribs and painted them with a clear matt finish

here's the result i had :





mine look more the alu one then the magnesium , like the one you posted


here's the magnesium one


and now this's how mine look like





and for me the JGE are the best way to go if you want a real closer repopwheels to the american racing wheels  , now if you have 10k$ for a set  go do it 

[Dyno-Don]

That sand blasted look does it for me - that looks very close to original and I think those may now be on the hit list. Or a set of these .....

[johnl]

That sand blasted look does it for me - that looks very close to original and I think those may now be on the hit list. Or a set of these .....

Don, the wheel in the photo you've provided is not an American or even a knock-off.

[Dyno-Don]

That sand blasted look does it for me - that looks very close to original and I think those may now be on the hit list. Or a set of these .....

Don, the wheel in the photo you've provided is not an American or even a knock-off.

I know that John, I was only saying that it might be an alternative for my car if I don't do the Torkers. I realize it is not a wheel from the 70's, which I am mostly staying with on this car, but I am such a huge fan of the Original Torque Thrust style wheels ( I even had them on my Datsun truck when i started at Auto Haus, the truck that we sent to Weiand for the Holley Weber conversion kit development, which you may or may not remember) that I like these, although there is some not "Quite Right" about the big flat space between the spokes. Maybe I'll have to do a brake change and run Porsche pattern Torque Thrusts. Can't decide. Then again maybe I'll just do Empi 5 spokes ......

[speedwell]

That sand blasted look does it for me - that looks very close to original and I think those may now be on the hit list. Or a set of these .....

Don, the wheel in the photo you've provided is not an American or even a knock-off.

those are flat 4 enkei wheels

mine were looks nice with the sand blasted treatment , but with the color of my car , the wheels doesn't contrast on pictures like this one,


 i would like to try more darker to see how they look and the contrast they will provide with my color car

[johnl]

That sand blasted look does it for me - that looks very close to original and I think those may now be on the hit list. Or a set of these .....

Don, the wheel in the photo you've provided is not an American or even a knock-off.

those are flat 4 enkei wheels

mine were looks nice with the sand blasted treatment , but with the color of my car , the wheels doesn't contrast on pictures like this one,


 i would like to try more darker to see how they look and the contrast they will provide with my color car

Is that a BECKERS sticker I spot on the passenger windwing???   

[Lee.C]

sure is John - I have one in my 65 too 

I think Java sell them 

[johnl]

sure is John - I have one in my 65 too 

I think Java sell them 

There is a PERFECT example of something anyone could get back in the day and now it is  BIG DEAL..  Leonard Becker really new how to squirt paint on VWs.  I once got him to paint my first BMW.  He fought me but finally gave in and did a beautiful job.   

[Dyno-Don]

sure is John - I have one in my 65 too 

I think Java sell them 

There is a PERFECT example of something anyone could get back in the day and now it is  BIG DEAL..  Leonard Becker really new how to squirt paint on VWs.  I once got him to paint my first BMW.  He fought me but finally gave in and did a beautiful job.   

I drive by where Becker's Bug House was quite regularly and I always seem to look over there and it just seems wrong that the sign is something else.
John, was that the Green Bavaria?

[Lee.C]

sure is John - I have one in my 65 too 

I think Java sell them 

There is a PERFECT example of something anyone could get back in the day and now it is  BIG DEAL..  Leonard Becker really new how to squirt paint on VWs.  I once got him to paint my first BMW.  He fought me but finally gave in and did a beautiful job.   

Agreed buddy.... I totally get what you mean 

[speedwell]

sure is John - I have one in my 65 too 

I think Java sell them 

those are repop , but i've an original one given to me by Sarge

[johnl]

sure is John - I have one in my 65 too 

I think Java sell them 

There is a PERFECT example of something anyone could get back in the day and now it is  BIG DEAL..  Leonard Becker really new how to squirt paint on VWs.  I once got him to paint my first BMW.  He fought me but finally gave in and did a beautiful job.   

I drive by where Becker's Bug House was quite regularly and I always seem to look over there and it just seems wrong that the sign is something else.
John, was that the Green Bavaria?

I drive by there on occasion also and always have to look over and remember.  Yes Don, it was a '72 Agave BMW Bavaria purchased in 1974 from Crevier Motor when they were located on Broadway in Santa Ana.  Donnie Crevier was just a car salesman working for his dad and sold me the car.  That was the first of many to follow but it may have been the most fun. 

The photo attached was taken at Auto Haus Costa Mesa probably around 1975 or early 1976.  The Bavaria is parked on the far right and the guy standing there is Gary Huggins, DKP I founder.  I'm thinking that may be Doug Mesche's Ghia in the shot before he started modifying it.  Don't remember why I was there that day but I'm sure it was to bring misery on the troops.

This was probably the only BMW Leonard Becker ever painted and there is a story that goes with it.  After working on Leonard for some time I got him to agree to do the job.  I stripped the car and drove it over.  After a couple of weeks I knew it would be ready so Christie and I drove over to pick it up.

As we walked down to the "pit", you who were there will know the area I'm speaking of.  Anyway old Mr. Becker was doing some buffing for the finishing touches.  I turned and walked away and I heard a loud noise and then "Damn it, oh excuse me Lord".  Seems that the buffer had gotten away from him and took put a rather sizeable dent in the left front fender top. 

Actually I wasn't upset but tried not to burst into laughter.  You see Leonard was a very religious man and those kind of words never came from his mouth.  Funny, all of these years later that memory still puts a smile on my face......

[johnl]

sure is John - I have one in my 65 too 

I think Java sell them 

those are repop , but i've an original one given to me by Sarge

Sarge must like you better than me.  I only get a firm hand shake and the Woody Woodpecker laugh....

[Dyno-Don]

John you were probably there give me, or Pat a hard time about something stupid we did. I remember you always parked in that far right stall, even after you got the maroon 5 series.

Don't know why this just came to me, but it was my first week there and on Friday I was told I had to take Kirby for a walk. I asked who is Kirby? John's Dog? And everyone (at that time it was Doug, Pat, Kelly, and me working in Costa Mesa) started laughing. "No, Kirby is the vacuum!" Well, at least we had beer hidden in the coke machine

[Rennsurfer]

Sarge must like you better than me.  I only get a firm hand shake and the Woody Woodpecker laugh....

Sarge must like you better than me. I only get the Woody Woodpecker laugh.

[johnl]

Sarge must like you better than me.  I only get a firm hand shake and the Woody Woodpecker laugh....

Sarge must like you better than me. I only get the Woody Woodpecker laugh.

Don't feel bad as Sarge and I have a bit more history under our belts, thus I warrant the hand shake......

[butterskotch]

Hi guys,

Here's some images of my Torker wheels which I've had a tinker with.  These were posted previously in another thread.

I had mine blasted, then I boot polished them  to get the look, then applied rim wax 
Before and after shot.


With tire and centre cap


From what I understand, the JGE Torkers mainly differ around the centre cap area, as like mentioned before by John, they had a left/right handed threaded cap.

I was fortunate enough to have the late Shubee get me some original looking centre caps CNC machined for me to fit the Torker centres and they look the business.

[johnl]

Hi guys,

Here's some images of my Torker wheels which I've had a tinker with.  These were posted previously in another thread.

I had mine blasted, then I boot polished them  to get the look, then applied rim wax 
Before and after shot.


With tire and centre cap


From what I understand, the JGE Torkers mainly differ around the centre cap area, as like mentioned before by John, they had a left/right handed threaded cap.

I was fortunate enough to have the late Shubee get me some original looking centre caps CNC machined for me to fit the Torker centres and they look the business.

I remember talking with Shubee about these caps.  Once again this statement is only from my memory.  These caps are certainly close to what I had but not exactly the same.  I remember the "hex" being taller but the American sticker is as I remember it.

[Lee.C]

Hi guys,

Here's some images of my Torker wheels which I've had a tinker with.  These were posted previously in another thread.

I had mine blasted, then I boot polished them  to get the look, then applied rim wax 
Before and after shot.


With tire and centre cap


From what I understand, the JGE Torkers mainly differ around the centre cap area, as like mentioned before by John, they had a left/right handed threaded cap.

I was fortunate enough to have the late Shubee get me some original looking centre caps CNC machined for me to fit the Torker centres and they look the business.

very very nice dude