[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 16-Oct-01 AT 00:46 AM (EST)[/font][p]
I promised someone a while ago that I would find out who made these, if they are still being made, and what they are called.

We believe they are "Cyclone" rims, but the manufacturer is still in the shadows, and therefore I can't find out if they can still be bought either...

About the only thing I DO know, is that if anyone on earth can shed some light on these minor mysteries, it will be someone from HERE.

So c'mon, y'all! Hep' us out...


http://www.clubfte.com/users/greywolf/Sblurim.jpg

Alternate reply zone:

[a href="http://www.angelfire.com/extreme3/blue_mule"]Blue Mule Cafe link on my website[/a]

 

Is the wheel stock or aftermarket? It looks simalar to some older dodge and amc wheels. is there a part number stamped on it anywhere?
~Tomohawk~

 

I have 2 of those rims and I just checked them for markings but I did not find any on them. The only markings on the wheel is the size and two letters, they show up like this: 15 X 8.5 P.C.
I do not know what the P.C. stands for but I hope this helps!
By the way, my rims look exactly like those but without the paint between the spokes. My rims have 16 spokes and take the lugnuts that are flat (not beveled on the end). If you find out what kind they are please let me know. I want to get 2 more!
Thanks Matt

1978 F100 Custom
320 horsepower 302
C6, 9 inch
Ford Motorsports E303 cam
GT 40 P heads
Crane roller rockers
Weiand Stealth Intake
Edelbrock 600 cfm carb
full length headers
More mods to come!

 

There were a set of those (5 w/spare) on my '78 Bronco when I bought it, in a 10" width (w/33x12.50 tires). I'm not sure who made them, but I'm pretty sure they weren't a factory wheel - at least, not in a 10" width. I had great luck with them, though it was a pain to clean the brake dust off the front ones.

I know the person who currently has the wheels, and perhaps I'll be able to get in touch with him this weekend to see if there are any markings on them - but I don't think that there are. If it helps at all, I bought that truck in the mid/late '80s, and I would guess those wheels were put on in (maybe) the early/mid '80s.

LK

 

I think the manufacture is Western, but don't think they are in the biz anymore. This would be going back to the early '80's at the latest-so if the time is right, they may just be. Thought American Racing or Centerline had a style similar to this one, but doesn't look quite right, but might be worth a try to check them out if they have sites.

 

They've been painted, but those look an awful lot like the "turbine" wheels that were on 80's Dodge Ram's and Ram Chargers.

1993 F-150
1989 F-150 4x4

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/toydestroyer1

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 17-Oct-01 AT 06:14 PM (EST)[/font][p]- Bolt pattern is the standard 5 on 5 1/2", I had forgotten about Western and had no idea they folded.

It sounds right, whether "Turbine" or "Cyclone", I know this style has been around for a long time - it's not the first set I've seen or even OWNED....

There was a time that they were extremely popular, a set of them was on my '73 Grand Torino before I sold it. But that was in the early '90s.

I understand the principal they were based on though! They were intended both to reduce the rolling/turning mass, and to enhance disc brake cooling by drawing airflow through the centers to more effectively cool the disc's themselves.

I wonder if Western's designs were bought by another company, or if they are still under patent right?

I bet they packed up, and left it all hanging. If so - while a "Patent Pending" serves to keep other manufacturers from copying, a POP (Plain Old Patent) doesn't necessarily do that...

So it may be open to a grab by someone. A minor improvement would be sufficient to make them "different"...

In the meantime, they seem to be a tradeable item...

 

That sure looks like a Western Wheel turbine style but someone has painted it. The company has been out of business for a while. American Racing made a similar wheel with ten spokes that was used on the General Lee (yee-haw!)

https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/BBB/3bce076c1edb29f1.jpg

 

Hey, I have a set of those. Three is identical 15x7.5. Don't know who made them. They're a dull brushed alumiumn look. The oddbal is a 15x7 Western wheel. I got it off some guy's 79 Bronco which he was stripping for parts.

I didn't know there was 15x8, and 15x10 turbine wheels! I want them! Sell 'em to me! I know there was some turbine made for the F250/F350. I met a guy who had them on his back. He said it was originally an off-road wheel set.

This cool wheel sure is a mystery..

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=6392&width=0

My set - The one on the left is the Western Wheel. The rest are the others stated above.

 

I've always thought the "turbine" style wheel looked cool. The Crown Vic even had them during the 80's and early 90's on some models.

 

They were extremely popular wheels in the late 70's to late 80's, we always referred to them as "Cyclones". I've got a set of three, 9.75x16.5 eight lugs that I'm hanging onto looking for a match to complete the set. Ya'll keep posting these kinda pics and questions just to get us "older" guys to tell off on ourselves

 

Grey Wolf I believe the manufacturer was Ansen. They were a small wheel manufacturer in the 70's thru the late 80's if memory serves me correct. They also made a slotted style aluminum wheel. Back then the choices for wheels wasn't anywhere near what we have today.