SEMA 2019: TE37 All Of The Things

So here’s a question for you: Were there more A90 Supras at SEMA 2019, or more cars sitting on RAYS Volk Racing TE37s?

As Mark continued his photographic assault on the year’s biggest and wildest automotive trade show, this is one question that popped into our minds. I mean, we’re talking about a wheel design that was penned 25 years ago, and one that even the folks at RAYS Engineering could have never known would become such a classic.

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But I don’t think calling the TE37 a ‘classic’ actually does the design justice. You see, if it was a classic, it would be a wheel used on some retro-themed builds to give a sense of nostalgia, or to cast our minds back to a specific time in automotive history.

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But what the TE37 still manages to do – and it’s pretty incredible if you think about it – is maintain relevance. And it will be doing the exact same thing next year and in many years to come, because it’s simply a timeless design. It may as well be on display at the New York Museum of Modern Art along with another timeless design from Japan, the Mazda FD3S RX-7. But I digress…

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This resilience against time is partly because the pinnacle of the Volk Racing line-up has been refined and subtly redesigned to continue its reign as a go-to wheel for any build.

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The TE37V seen here on Tommy Babiarz’s ND Mazda Miata is the perfect example of adaptation; the recognizable 6-spoke design recessed deeply on a staggered lip, almost gives a 2 or 3-piece look despite the wheel still being produced with RAYS’ forging process.

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Coloring, finishes and various editions of the wheel have allowed it to satisfy the demands of those that want to fine tune the look to their specific build.

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On this Civic Type R, diamond-cut lips allow for dark wheels housed inside equally dark carbon fiber fenders to really pop.

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Over the last decade, RAYS has spent a great deal of time not only refining the metallurgy of its wheels and playing around with rigidity where it counts the most – the TE37RTs that were on Project GT-R being an example – but also making it harder for their original designs to be copied. Special laser-cut logos and detailing are some of the most obvious measures.

SEMA being a custom show, you’ll always find a few examples of bespoke coloring, like this chrome/copper finish that Mark spotted on an NSX.

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Creating a popular design is one thing, but the TE37 does have the uncanny ability to look good on any application.

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From sports cars to little compact SUV crossovers like this Nissan Kicks sitting pretty at the Nissan stand and sporting unmissable screwed-on flares.

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Then of course there are the off-road applications.

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The design is altered and adapted to fit in, but it’s still very much a TE37.

This Audi Q5 fits somewhere in between – the ‘regular’ modern TE37 look mated to higher profile tires.

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Then there’s the other thing the TE37 does well compared to so many other wheels: not look weird or awkward when staggered offsets/widths are used on the same car. The A90 Supra and R35 GT-R are prime examples, where with more aggressive cases they require a deep concave look at the rear and a flatter one at the front – a deeper dish versus almost no dish at all. The TE37 naturally adapts to this.

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Seeing the earlier iterations of the TE37 is always a nice reminder of where it all span from; an overall simpler design with a barely noticeable taper to the six spokes as they curve back and meet the rim.

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Twenty five years on, the TE37 remains the statement it has always been: a wheel that was born out of pure function. But one that due to its form and sheer simplicity continues to be the top choice for so many.

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If you’re like me, you look at new cars that get released every year and wonder what a set of appropriately-sized TE37s would look like.

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It doesn’t really matter what that car is or where it came from – the TE37 adds an instant and quantifiable slap of JDM-ness. And I bet that if we revisit this topic in another 10 years, nothing would have changed. What do you think?

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

Photos by Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
mark@speedhunters.com

The SEMA Show on Speedhunters

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35 comments

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1

I love TE37s
They are my favorite wheels

2

I am so sick of seeing TE37s on everything, they just look so bland to me and I don’t understand Speedhunters’ adulation for them. With so many wheel designs available it feels like a very uninspired and boring choice to fit such a common wheel.

3

You just explained the reason TE37s are so popular. In their "blandness" the design is really simple. This simplicity lends itself to fit a wide variety of builds from show cars to track cars new and old. It's like the Chuck Taylors of wheels. Simple and timeless which also can breed versatility.

4

Exactly...they're simple, Durable, with unpretentious design...hecc they're easy to clean as well

Author5
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Well put indeed, simplicity is the key here, plus they are light and strong. It's no surprise why they are so popular.

6

The TE37 has become the rich man's RPF1

7

RPF1s are lighter and look better.

Author8
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Hey, we don't judge, I'd take a set of RPF1s as well, just need the right car!

9

Not just Speedhunters. They have a strong following for a reason--there is a simple elegance to them and they are extremely light for performance too. There are many other wheel options but a lot of them are overly complicated looking and/or trying too hard.

10
ea lamatan- #PrayForKyoAni

Forgot to mention that there's a custom Suzuki Jimny wearing TE37s in the show

Author11
Dino Dalle Carbonare

We'll see plenty of those at TAS again I'm sure.

12

Totally agreed. TE37 will Live long even on future generation of cars like hybrids and full electric.

13

Kind of the modern day Watanabe imo, just looks good on a vast number of vehicles

Author14
Dino Dalle Carbonare

True that!

15

Not a bad choice in any case as we can see but I prefere Advan GT.

16

Isn't the Advan GT basically the same design as a 5 spoke?

Author17
Dino Dalle Carbonare

My other love...

18

Q: Were there more A90 Supras at SEMA 2019, or more cars sitting on RAYS Volk Racing TE37s?
A: Yes.

Author19
Dino Dalle Carbonare

LOL

20

I still have a set myself. I took them off of my R32 GT-R.

Author21
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I have 0. Must fix the situation!

22

So basically TE37 is not a wheel design or a model anymore but a wheel line-up. The variation is so big that you can't possibly call it a single design

Author23
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yeah not too far from the truth. Let's not forget the 20 inch version for bigger cars like the GT-R and the TE037s - the new take on the original design

24

Definitely my favorite wheels. I love the white ones.
I've even seen some on some classic muscle cars and they looked incredible.

Author25
Dino Dalle Carbonare

My first ones were white!

26

Every day I go back and forth on whether or not my future RX-7 should be stock body or TCP Magic widebody...

Author27
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Stock...

28

It is a shame Rays came out with a 22" TE37 and only offer it in a 6x139 and 5x130 ... Why no 5x114.3 ?

Author29
Dino Dalle Carbonare

We can ask them! Usually when they venture into new sizes it's very much car specific

30

*TE37 and R888R all of the things.

31

TE37s are so timeless. Clearly one of my all time favourites, along with TC105n. I also loved the RPF1, but somehow, I don't think they look that good on modern cars. Simplicity (blandness as some put it) is the reason TE37s are so durable I believe, and they give this agressive and racecar look, without being too over the top. It's a conservative choice, one that will never look horrible, but will never be really original either, to each his own.
(But damn they're expensive!)

32
Sanjeev Ramkissoon

What Model of TE37's Is Tat On The RX-7.....When You Check Rays Website It's Not There Listed In The Store For Sale???? I Would Really Like To Know Please....Interested In Picking Them Up....Thanks

33

Best wheel ever imo. Ive had 7 sets on my GTR's. Everything from SL's to TTA's and the original style in various colours and sizes. Nismo LMGT4 is a close second for obvious reasons lol

34

I love TEs, but the popularity itself has killed my interest in owning a set. I just don't like things that get too popular.

35

I'm gonna let you finish but 'THE LMGT4 IS THE GREATEST WHEEL OF ALL TIME'

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