V is for Vintage: Rays Volk TE37V

You know you’re a JNCer if you hear “TE37” and think third-gen Toyota Corolla rather than the coveted six-spoke by Rays Wheels. Remember how in the 90s every tuner with JDM jones lusted after the Volk TE37?

Well Rays recently debuted a reformulated version for us old schoolers called the Volk TE37V. The V stands for “vintage,” and they were all the rage at the Tokyo Auto Salon (as if you needed more proof that the nostalgic movement is gaining speed!). But there is an important philosophical question we need your input on at the end of this post.

What makes them vintage? They come in diameters no larger than 15 inches, and the widths start at a minimum of 7.5J. From there, they get wider with half-inch increments to a whopping 10J-25 and are only forged in single-digit or negative offsets. Colors are bronze or gunmetal with a polished lip.

As you can see from these Nori Yaro photos, they were a popular choice for nostalgics at this year’s Auto Salon. They look pretty darned sharp filling out the arches on these Skylines too.

But the question is, do they “fit” better than Wats or Hayashis? After all, they aren’t a truly vintage design and the apparent lack of a 14-inch might deter some. Is it possible to design a modern wheel that looks appropriate on a nostalgic? Toss us your two cents in the comments below.

Images: Rays Wheels, Nori Yaro. Hat tip to SR-FairladyZ, KyushaKai.

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13 Responses to V is for Vintage: Rays Volk TE37V

  1. Sr-FairladyZ says:

    You guys spent my 2 cents ;). Those babies on that GC10 are whats happening! Can’t wait to see more mounted shots.

  2. bert says:

    I generally consider “vintage” to be anything that………….well, was made a long time ago. But the classic J-tin scene is changing all the rules, wether some like it or not. That said…. I get weird feelings Iv’e never known when I see that four door Skyline!(Barry White impersonation! AAHH yeah baby! Come a little closer baby! I just wanna love you, love you lov……)

  3. kingtoy says:

    I like them. I don’t know if I would go so far as slap some on my TE27, but their cool.

  4. pholife says:

    Vintage means to me a wheel produced during the area of the said cars. In addition, vintage would always bring to mine a 2 or 3 piece wheels. I think these wheels are great looking and I assume vintage defined by manufacturer in this case is offsets that they are considering to accomodate the older cars. It has nothing to do with design.

    • Ben says:

      They can call them whatever they want. The question we’re trying to figure out is whether they look “at home” on an old school ride, or if that matters at all.

  5. Jim says:

    While vintage usually means old, It does set it apart from things modern. 15′ sizes are for vintage cars. Even though they are new, they are directed at the vintage market, so its fine to call them vintage. I don’t think are trying to fool anyone, so it all good for me. How many times can I say vintage in one post.

  6. Kev says:

    My initial impression was a little disappointment. They seem a little flat and featureless compared to say a classic Watanabe or Hayashi (which may be flat faced but does have those black insets, so there’s quite a bit going on visually).

    Maybe these pics aren’t flattering, or maybe we need to see these things in the flesh. There is a subtle curve to the spokes, which doesn’t come out well in pics.

    …if the Rays corporation would like to send me a set to try…. 😀

  7. Kyusha Kai says:

    I think these wheels are fantastic. It matches perfectly with the tuner/builder who likes to stick a modern powerplant into a classic J-Tin.

    The bronze wheels are fantastic. I want themmmm….

  8. Kev says:

    I think Kyusha Kai has it nailed…..they’re more like half-way between a traditional JDM oldschool wheel like say a Watanabe, Hayashi or Sajura and a modern wheel like an SSR Type C, Advan RG or Work Meister S1.

    Maybe we need to have more pics from different angles…

  9. vballin says:

    Designwise, it’s a pretty good mix between old and new. But yes, I’d love them even more if they came in 14″ dammit!

  10. Sr-FairladyZ says:

    Word up, Kyusha Kai. I think I tend to over-like these wheels cause I own a classic/modern hybrid myself, oh and I’m a former TE37 owner/lover lol.

    15″ is perfect for vintage but 16″ would be nice for incorporating the late 80’s / early 90’s era. Plus 15″ is pushing it on any decently sized brake upgrades. I can picture FC’s and S13’s flared out and slammed on 16’s of these things. Bad ass.

  11. bert says:

    The muscle car scene has been putting “modern” vintage wheels on classic cars for a while now. Most of them look to big and dorky, but some of them look good. If the j-tin tuners keep it low key, I think some new designs would look good!

  12. Rob says:

    Love the look and love the attention to nostalgics!!!!! way to go, RAYS!

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