American Racing

What American Racing does

American Racing is a 70-year-old American aftermarket wheel brand founded in 1956 and currently operated as a subsidiary of Wheel Pros LLC. The company designs and sells aluminum wheels across four product tiers — Vintage (e.g., Baja, Outlaw, 500 Mono Cast, Nova), Torq Thrust (Classic Torq Thrust II and modern variants), Modern (Groove 6, Stampede, Crossfire, Mainline), and AR Forged (VF-series 2-piece forged wheels priced up to $1,450). Manufacturing is built on three construction methods — cast aluminum for entry-level products, flow formed aluminum for the performance tier, and 2-piece forged aluminum for the premium segment — with proprietary features including a bead retention system and flow formed strength-to-weight optimization.

The business sells exclusively through an authorized dealer network spanning North America and international markets (UK, Australia, Germany, South Africa), anchored by chains such as Discount Tire, Tire Rack, Summit Racing, and JEGS. Pricing is one-time per wheel, ranging from approximately $158 (entry-level cast) to $1,450+ (premium forged), with the company's e-commerce site functioning as a product catalog, fitment-search tool, and dealer-routing layer rather than a direct fulfillment channel. Primary customer segments are enthusiast buyers: classic muscle car restoration (1960s-1970s American iron), truck and SUV/off-road, modern performance/track, and pro-touring custom builders.

Brand heritage is the central commercial asset — American Racing is closely identified with hot rod culture and the iconic Torq Thrust design — and the company maintains an active new-product cadence (seven launches in late 2025 and 2026), a content-heavy marketing presence including a Vehicle Gallery and Hoonigan partnership, and a parent-backed distribution infrastructure that materially de-risks retailer relationships. The company is privately held with 101-250 employees and does not publicly disclose revenue.

Name

American Racing

Legal name

American Racing

Website

https://americanracing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

American Racing, founded 1956 and a Wheel Pros LLC subsidiary, designs and sells cast, flow formed, and forged aluminum wheels for classic muscle cars, trucks/SUVs, and modern performance vehicles through an authorized dealer network across North America and international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aftermarket Automotive Wheels

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing (3363)

SIC

Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Wheels, Tires & TPMS Accessories Manufacturing (Rims/Spacers/Valve Stems/TPMS Sensors) (IMACANAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wheels & Rims Manufacturing (Steel/Alloy) (IMACAIAJ)

Keywords

• Aftermarket wheels
• Performance wheels
• Forged aluminum wheels
• Classic muscle car wheels
• Truck and SUV wheels

Headquarters

HQ city

Buena Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Wheel Sales: American Racing generates revenue through the sale of aluminum wheels for cars, trucks, and SUVs. Products are sold at various price points from entry-level cast wheels ($180-$300) to premium forged wheels ($1,000-$1,450+). Revenue is one-time per transaction with no recurring component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

American Racing designs, manufactures, and distributes aftermarket aluminum wheels for classic muscle cars, trucks, SUVs, and modern performance vehicles. The product portfolio spans four main categories (Vintage, Torq Thrust, Modern, and AR Forged) with construction methods including one-piece cast aluminum, flow formed aluminum, and 2-piece forged aluminum.

Product overview

American Racing is a manufacturer of automotive wheels serving the classic, custom, performance, and vintage segments. The product portfolio is organized into four main categories: Vintage wheels (including Baja, Outlaw, G-Force, Marauder, Groove, 500 Mono Cast, VN506 Rally, Nova, Rally, and various VN-series designs), Torq Thrust wheels (Classic Torq Thrust II, Torq Thrust SL, Torq Thrust M, Torq Thrust D, and custom variants), Modern wheels (Groove 6, Stampede, GT Street, Bishop, TTF, Mach Five, Crossfire, Mainline, and Barrage), and AR Forged wheels (VF-series including Spur, Talon, Groove II, Gratiot, Mulholland, Windsor, CHS, TTF II, Sugar Bump, Conti, and GTP II). Products range from entry-level cast aluminum wheels starting under $200 to premium 2-piece forged wheels priced over $1,400. The company serves trucks, SUVs, muscle cars, and classic vehicles with various construction methods including cast aluminum, flow formed, and forged.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AR Forged Wheels Premium 2-piece forged aluminum wheels (forged center with forged barrel) for classic vehicles, pro-touring builds, and autocross applications. Includes VF566 Spur, VF565 Talon, VF559 Groove II, VF560 Gratiot, VF563 Mulholland, VF564 Windsor, VF556 CHS, VF558 TTF II, VF557 Sugar Bump, VF555 Conti, and VF404 GTP II, priced from $1,005 to $1,450.
• Torq Thrust Wheels Iconic American Racing wheel designs including Classic Torq Thrust II, Torq Thrust SL, Torq Thrust M, Torq Thrust D, Torq Thrust II Custom, Torq Thrust II 1 PC, and TT O. Available in cast and forged center/forged barrel configurations, sizes 14\" through 22\", priced from $158 to $574.
• Vintage Wheels Classic-styled wheels for restored and modified American muscle cars and trucks including Baja, Outlaw I, Outlaw II, G-Force, Marauder, Groove, 500 Mono Cast, VN506 Rally, Nova, Rally 2-piece, VN500, VN477, Gasser, Burnout, VN470 Salt Flat Special, priced from $165 to $1,358.
• Modern Wheels Contemporary performance wheels for trucks, SUVs, and modern performance cars including Groove 6, Stampede, GT Street, Bishop, TTF, Mach Five, Crossfire, Mainline, and Barrage. Features flow formed aluminum construction; sizes 16\"-22\"; priced from $257 to $478.
• Groove 6 (AR953) Drag-inspired wheel for high-performance 6-lug trucks, featuring flow formed aluminum construction with bead retention system. Available in 17\", 20\", and 22\" sizes starting at $382.
• VF566 Spur 2-Piece forged wheel with forged center and forged barrel construction. Designed for classic vehicles with modern strength. Available in 17\" through 24\" sizes, priced at $1,450.
• VF565 Talon 2-Piece forged wheel delivering performance for 5-lug classic vehicles.
• VF559 Groove II 2-Piece forged wheel designed for pro-touring and autocross builds. Available in 17\" through 20\" sizes.
• VF560 Gratiot 2-Piece forged wheel with forged center and forged barrel, priced at $1,150.
• Stampede (AR955) Flow formed wheel designed for modern Mustangs. Features aggressive styling with flow formed technology, 19\" and 20\" sizes, starting at $413.
• American Racing Merchandise Branded apparel and merchandise sold through the company's website, supporting the American Racing brand and hotrod culture.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WheelProscoreOthersWheelPros is the parent company of American Racing. The company website references WheelPros dealer portal (dl.wheelpros.com), and corporate branding appears throughout the site. WheelPros operates as a major aftermarket automotive parts company.
• HooniganminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHoonigan logo appears on the American Racing website footer. Hoonigan is an automotive lifestyle brand known for motorsports and car culture content, suggesting a marketing or promotional partnership.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HRE Wheels: HRE is a premium aftermarket forged wheel manufacturer serving the same performance, luxury, and exotic car buyer that American Racing targets with its AR Forged line; both compete in custom-built 1-piece and multi-piece forged wheels sold direct and through specialist dealers.
• Vossen Wheels: Vossen designs and sells aftermarket luxury and performance wheels for cars and SUVs with a similar flow formed and forged construction approach, competing head-to-head with American Racing's Modern and AR Forged lines in the enthusiast styling segment.
• Method Race Wheels: Method is a sister Wheel Pros brand focused on off-road and truck wheels, overlapping directly with American Racing's Baja, Outlaw, and Mainline truck/SUV lines and competing for the same dealer shelf space within the parent company's portfolio.
• Fuel Off-Road Wheels: Fuel Off-Road is another Wheel Pros sister brand specializing in aggressive aftermarket truck and SUV wheels; it competes with American Racing's truck and performance-truck lines (Groove 6, Baja, Stampede) for the same enthusiast buyer and dealer.
• BBS Wheels: BBS manufactures premium forged and flow formed aftermarket wheels for sports cars, track-day vehicles, and luxury applications; it competes with American Racing's flow formed and forged lines (Crossfire, AR Forged) on performance and prestige.
• Forgeline Wheels: Forgeline builds custom-made forged wheels primarily for pro-touring, muscle car, and track applications, overlapping closely with American Racing's AR Forged and pro-touring customer segments.
• Rotiform Wheels: Rotiform designs style-driven aftermarket wheels popular with import and European tuning enthusiasts; it competes with American Racing's Modern lines for style-conscious buyers shopping online and through performance retailers.
• Enkei Wheels: Enkei is a global aftermarket and motorsport wheel manufacturer offering cast and flow formed wheels across multiple vehicle segments; it competes with American Racing on price-conscious cast and flow formed lines distributed through tire and performance retailers.
• TSW Wheels: TSW designs aftermarket wheels for European, luxury, and sports car segments using flow formed construction; it overlaps with American Racing's Modern performance lines in fitment, finish options, and dealer channels.

Others

• Wilwood / Classic Industries (adjacent ecosystem): Classic Industries is a major classic muscle car parts retailer and ecosystem partner selling restoration and performance parts alongside wheels; it is comparable as a go-to-market channel and customer-acquisition partner for the same classic car enthusiast segment American Racing serves.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/americanracing
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC23y6Ix9J0kSdAnHCQXixuA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanRacingWheels
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanracing

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Racing