Libre Wheel Designs Compared

Libre Wheel Design History

 American Racing vs non branded designs compared
Originally published on ZPARTS.COM HTML legacy site  February 15, 2005

 Red arrows point to features that differ or are dissimilar on Libre style wheels produced by American Racing Equipment brand and a wheel with no brand name stamped on it. Long arrow to lower backside area shows where ARE cast in raised letter text “American Racing Equipment”. No name wheel has only barely visible “14×5.5” cast in letters and “71700” hard stamped into cast lip area.

 Initial reports I have from two knowledgeable early era Datsun wheel enthusiasts indicate that several brand name manufacturers, such as American Racing Equipment (ARE), Carrol Shelby Wheels, US Mags and several “no name” brands, made Libre style wheels in the past, including a magnesium version. Below are first responses from two wheel knowledgable persons responding to my first request for more information about the history of the Libre style wheels. Later, a summation of all information gathered will be posted on this page.

Note: If you enjoyed this post you might also reviewing the Wheel Showcase display on this site.

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 13×5.5″ and 14×5.5″ 13×7 and 14×7 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

 

 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

— Eric Neyerlin – owner of ZPARTS.COM

RELATED POSTS

Clients comments

  •
    Eric B November 21, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    Will you be publishing more comparison photos of Libre design variations that Shelby and US Mag sold back in the day?

    •
      Eric Neyerlin - owner of ZPARTS.COM November 21, 2016 at 7:09 pm

      So far I have not had Libre wheels from either of those mfgs come into my stock so have not potential to take such photos. I’ve seen a few front side shots of the Shelby model named “Viper” no backside shots, which are the most critical to visually ID’ing different Libre designs from the past. Maybe someone reading this will offer to take and send me good quality photos of theirs to add to this topic?

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.