13 Awesome JDM Wheels For Your Next Project

Japanese wheel manufacturers are behind some of the most iconic designs of the entire automotive scene.

Classic JDM wheels have seen their popularity skyrocket in recent years, with some sets fetching more at auctions than a newish car. Even the new designs are as popular as ever.

If you’re willing to do some digging or settle for a more basic wheel, it’s still possible to find a cheap set of Japanese rims, new or old, but deeper pockets will get you something far more remarkable.

Rays Volk Racing TE37

The Volk TE37 is probably the most apparent choice regarding Japanese wheels. Over the years, countless builds have featured TE37s, making them both desirable and overused at the same time.

The lightweight, six-spoke, forged aluminum wheel gets its name from the weight of the first 15-inch version, which was 3.7 kg. There are many variations of the Volk TE37, and these days, it has been fitted to cars from all over the world, ranging from the new Mini to classic muscle cars and, of course, all eras of Japanese vehicles.

SSR Star Shark

SSR was founded in 1971, making it one of the oldest JDM wheel manufacturers. During this time, Speed Star Racing, as the company was initially called, has created some of the most excellent wheels ever.

The SSR Star Shark is a three-piece aluminum wheel with a star-shaped 8-spoke center. It was available in various finishes, and buying an original set today will most likely cost a small fortune. However, replicas are available, and while they’re not as cool, you’ll save a lot of money.

Enkei RPF1

Enkei has been making wheels for the McLaren F1 team for donkey’s years, and they used the same F1 race wheel technology when developing the RPF1 wheel.

The cast aluminum one-piece wheel has a dual open six-spoke design, which improves stress dispersion during hard cornering. Even the pocket design around the wheel bolts helps increase rigidity and keep the wheel cooler. If you’re in the market for a proper, high-performance, lightweight wheel, you should check out the Enkei RPF1. 

Suzuka Longchamp XR-4

If you have a classic Japanese car from the 1980s, the Suzuka Longchamp XR-4 is a sure winner. SSR produced it, but a company called Suzuka Sangyo designed and marketed it.

It’s still in production today, but whereas the original was a three-piece wheel, the modern version is a cast one-piece with faux hardware to imitate that multi-piece look. It’s been offered in various sizes, both as a 5-hole/5-spoke version and a 4-hole/6-spoke version.

Work Meister S1

Many JDM enthusiasts dream of one day owning a set of rims from Work Wheels. The brand is commonly regarded as the leading Japanese multi-piece wheel manufacturer.

The five-spoke Work Meister S1 multi-piece wheel has a fat lip and broad, curved spokes, so it won’t look out of place on larger, muscular cars. That said, it still works great on smaller models, like hot hatches or compact coupes.

Rays Volk Racing CE28N

If you’re building a race-inspired Japanese car, there’s a good chance the Volk CE28 would look right at home under the arches. The 10 spokes curve slightly and then drop straight back towards the lip.

Why is it a good wheel if your car has some motorsport features? Because the name stands for Competition Expert 2.8 kg. It’s lighter than the Volk TE37, and the extra spokes also improve rigidity. 

SSR Professor SP1

Those looking for a truly unique wheel could do much worse than the multi-piece five-spoke SSR Professor SP1. SSR is known for making excellent lightweight motorsport wheels, and that tech has trickled down to the Professor SP1.

SSR offers many customization options, letting buyers change the width, offset, color, and finish. Combined with the partially exposed hardware, this makes for a great-looking wheel.

Blitz Type 03

Back in the day, the Blitz Type 03 found its way onto many magazine-featured Japanese show cars. You’ll need deep pockets if you want to get your hands on a set today, as chances are there will be a bidding war between JDM enthusiasts willing to remortgage the house for a set.

It’s been discontinued for many years, so the open five-spoke forged aluminum Type 03 is super-rare now. The attractive and aggressive design means it’ll look just as good on German sedans from the 90s and 2000s as on any Japanese machine.

Hayashi Racing Street

The eight-spoke Hayashi Racing Street cast aluminum wheel went into production in 1969, and it’s still being made today. 

Its overall design and finish remain the same, although minor and very subtle changes have occurred since it was introduced. The Hayashi Racing Street has been available in a variety of diameters, with early models limited to 10, 13, and 14 inches, but newer versions can even be had in a 17-inch diameter.

Work VS-XX

Work Wheels has been around since the 1970s and is now one of the most prominent Japanese wheel manufacturers. The multi-piece aluminum mesh-style VS-XX wheel is guaranteed to look good on practically any car from any continent.

Mesh wheels are timeless , and with either a reverse or step lip design, the VS-XX will look just as relevant in a decade. 

Takechi Project Racing Hart

The Takechi Project Racing Hart is a classic cast-aluminum wheel that was available in 4- and 5-spoke versions. Four-spoke versions were available in four-lug configuration, and the five-spoke wheels were for five-lug cars.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, most JDM cars had a four-bolt pattern, so the four-spoke wheel was the most common. They were only available in 14 and 15 inches, but there were a plethora of widths on offer, ranging from 6.5 inches to 13 inches. There are replicas available of the four-spoke wheels, but we haven’t found any five-spoke clones.

RS Watanabe 8-Spoke

Both Minilite and RS Watanabe claim they were the first to produce the “banana spoke” wheel. It doesn’t really matter who was first, as they both look good. 

The RS Watanabe 8-Spoke is a classic JDM cast aluminum wheel that looks great on most classic cars, whether they’re Japanese or not. Even the modern Mini looks terrific with a set of these beauties. Prepare to pay a pretty penny for a set, though.

SSR Formula Mesh

We’ve already stated that mesh wheels are timeless, but there is a difference between old and new SSR Formula Mesh wheels.

Modern versions may look like the old ones, but they’re engineered to adhere to today’s more stringent regulations and standards. Formula Mesh rims are available in 16, 18, and 19-inch sizes, and there are various colors and offsets to choose from.