SSR Wheels


SSR Wheels is one of the most influential wheel manufacturers in Japanese automotive history. Originally founded in 1971 as Speed Star Racing Wheels, the company is headquartered in Osaka, Japan and has built its reputation at the intersection of motorsport engineering and aftermarket innovation.

SSR is widely credited with producing the world’s first three-piece wheel with the release of the MK-I in 1971, a milestone that permanently changed wheel design and manufacturing. From the beginning, the brand focused on performance-driven construction, later expanding into two-piece designs as well as cast and forged wheels. SSR also played a key role in shaping Japan’s wheel safety regulations, helping establish the JWL standard in 1973 and the VIA certification system in 1981, both overseen by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Innovation has always been central to SSR’s identity. In 1991, the company became the first and only wheel manufacturer at the time to adopt semi-solid forging technology, a process it later patented. This commitment to lightweight strength led to landmark products such as the Type-C, which was the lightest wheel in its class when introduced in 2000. SSR continued to push boundaries with hybrid construction techniques combining forging, heat treatment, and multi-piece assembly.

Beyond manufacturing, SSR has an extensive motorsport legacy. The brand has supplied wheels to factory-backed race teams from Honda, Toyota, and Nissan, competed under its own Speed Star Racing banner, and supported top-level competition across Formula racing, endurance racing, touring cars, and Super GT. From Formula One involvement in the late 1980s to class podiums at Le Mans and multiple Japanese championship titles, SSR’s racing history directly informs its road-going products.

Today, under ownership of Tanabe Co., Ltd., SSR remains a symbol of authentic JDM heritage. Its wheels are respected not only for their performance and quality, but for their deep roots in Japanese motorsport culture and decades-long commitment to engineering excellence.