CONFIRMED: Center Line Wheels Has Ceased Operations
Classic forged wheel maker Center Line has closed its doors.
Breaking today, we have been able to confirm that Center Line Wheels has ceased operations and closed its doors. First breaking on Drag Racing Scene, we spoke to our contacts at Center Line Alloy Wheels to confirm that Center Line Wheel has closed. However, Center Line Alloy Wheels has not ceased operations as they were using the name and logo under license and are not affiliated with Center Line Wheel. This does not appear to affect Center Line Alloy Wheel except for the confusion between the names and their relationship.
Speaking to our unnamed source at Center Line Alloy Wheels, they commented, “Center Line Alloy Wheels sells Center Line branded alloy wheels under a license from Center Line Wheels Corporation. However, Center Line Alloy Wheels are not affiliated with nor a subsidiary of Center Line Wheels Corporation, which has ceased operations.” Centerline Wheel Corporation was founded in 1970 by Ray Lipper, credited as the pioneer and originator of the aftermarket wheel industry, and their focus was in creating the most advanced and finest wheels available for enthusiasts and the motorsports industry.
One of the biggest innovations that came from Center Line Wheel and Ray Lipper was the Rotary Forging Technology that they patented. A rotary forged wheel is not only stronger than a cast wheel, and many times steel wheels, but lighter as well. This is done by taking a piece of solid round billet aluminum and forging it down to the initial wheel shape with four-thousand-tons of force at three-hundred revolutions per minute. Their facility in Santa Fe Springs, California turned out some of the lightest and strongest wheels an enthusiast could buy. According to the about page on the Center Line Alloy Wheels page, “Continuing on in the brand’s commitment to excellence in engineering, a one piece cast wheel is now being launched for the modern muscle, racing truck, street truck, and lifted applications. This new generation of wheels brings a fresh perspective in design innovation while encompassing the original classic elements that gave Center Line its name. The heritage advances in this reinvention, now as Center Line Alloy Wheels.” Center Line will continue on, but the forging and tooling appears to be nearing a sale to a new owner.
We know that many of you have used Center Line Wheels on your own builds and we’ve featured many vehicles with their wheels on them. It’s a shame that a legendary business in the automotive aftermarket will be mostly leaving but it appears the name will live on. Show us your projects, cars, and race vehicles with Center Line Wheels and let’s celebrate what was.
