Eric
The American
racing Libre (NOT Libra) wheel from the mid '60s was the smaller
brother to the 5 spoke 200s wheel. The wheel was intended for imports
in the 13" and 14" sizes. Commonly 13x5.5" and 14x5.5"
13x7 and 14x7 were also available. Magnesium race-only versions
may have been available as well, but I'm not sure. They were popular
on the Datsun roadsters, 240Z, 510, early Toyota Celicas, Sunbeam
Tigers, MGBs, Cortinas, and the like. (FWIW, rumor has it that Pete
Brock himself styled the American Racing Lemans wheels)
The Libre wheel has been copied by many over the years, but I can't
tell you more than that. I believe Carroll Shelby Wheels may have
copied the design. The wheels were also re-issued in the 13"
size for the SCCA's Ford-powered Spec Racer (SRF), though these
wheels had "SCCA" cast into them.
The differences in casting of the reinforcing ribs behind the spokes,
mounting surface thickness, and rim edge profile, vary between the
various copies. All the ARE wheel have the identifying marks you
mentioned.
These sand cast wheels were not very well quality controlled in
their day, and many recommend that the genuine vintage wheels be
used today for show only, as there have been reports of failures
of Libres at speed.
Kurt Hafer
Datsun
510 Wheel FAQ
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Eric
As you know,
there were several types of 14" Libre style wheels built. Of
course, the most famous is the American Racing version, and they
are always marked with their name on them. Carroll Shelby also made
14" Libre wheels, and they are marked on the back as well.
I have also seen several versions of 14" Libre wheels that
were unmarked on the back, and I have no idea who made them. Then
there were the magnesium versions! You can usually tell them apart
as the spokes are a different design and come to a partial point
where the spoke meets the rim. Here is one photo
online of them: Below is another part of a photo which
shows those wheels better.
Michael Spreadbury
Spriso Motorsports

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