One of the Most Iconic Wheels Ever Made Just Turned 30

A Timeless Design

All wheelmakers have a signature look to them. For instance, American Racing has those neat five-spoke Torque Thrusts, BBS is synonymous with the weave design, and Rays Wheels? Well, that would be the Volk TE37. Those wheels have a timeless element to them, and they look great whether it’s on an old or a new car.

Speaking of which, the TE37 turns 30 this year, and the company is celebrating in a big way. A series of campaigns will be rolled out throughout the year, and yes, there will be merch to celebrate the milestone.

Why It’s Called TE37

Now, TE37 isn’t just a collection of alphanumerics that happened to sound good. There is a meaning behind the name, and the wheel itself was hugely revolutionary at the time. In the mid-’90s, 15-inch wheels typically weighed over eight and a half pounds. Rays Wheels managed to build a wheel that weighed less than that.

A lighter wheel means less unsprung weight, and other benefits include lower inertia that sharpens up handling. Braking distances shorten, too, and there’s lesser component wear. The 37 bit comes from the fact that it weight just 3.7 kilograms or just 8.1 pounds. It doesn’t sound like much, but shaving off a few grams pays off big time in time attacks and raging. As for TE, it stands for Touring Evolution.

Side note: Had Japan used the imperial system, it could have been called the TE81. If you ask us, TE37 just rolls off the tongue that little bit better.

Growing the Range

Not long after the origing 15-inch rim was launched in 1996, the TE37 family soon started expanding. In 1997, Volk introduced a 16-inch version as wheel sized started growing. The following year, an even lighter version was introduced for competition use. Then, in 1999, a stronger variation of the TE37 was made for rallying.

A large PCD version came out in 2001 so pickups and SUVs could join the fun. More designs came out in succeeding years, with lighter versions, deep dishes, multi-piece models, and more. Today, there are about 40 variantions of the TE37, but the look remains the same with its now-signature six-spoke design. Heck, there are other wheelmakers out there that have adapted the same appearance. Far too many, if you ask us.

The TE37 30th Anniversary Edition

Of course, Volk will be making a limited-run 30th Anniversary Edition TE37. It has the words ’30th Anniversary’ machined into the flange, making it a cut above other versions of the wheel. Like other TE37s, there are several variations of the special wheel.

There’s the S-Saga Plus that fits most models with five lugs, along with the smaller Sonic for, er, smaller vehicles with four lugs. Of course, there’s also a 30th Anniverary Edition for pickups and SUVs, simply dubbed the Ultra Large PCD. Expect these to rise in value as soon as the first owners have bought them. One can also tell their significant other that these wheels are an investment, although reactions will most defenitely vary.

Merch? Merch

Prices for the wheel haven’t been revealed yet, but expect it to go for a pretty penny over the standard TE37. But for those who still want to be a part of the celebrations, Rays Wheels is offering merch related to the milestone.

There a pin you can stick on clothes or bags, as well as a keychain for those who’d like to proudly show they’re fans of the wheel. Of course, there are t-shirts, and even an acrylic stand for your office table ornament needs. But the one for us would be the rubber duck. We’d totally slap TE37s on a Jeep Wrangler just so we can put that duck on the dash.

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