restorer wheel articles for C1's

[Chris H.]

I seem to recall that someone mentioned that the restorer had 2 articles on steel wheels for C1's. I just received the CD for C1's and there is no reference to steel wheels that would help date them. ie riveted wheels used '55-'57.

Any idea what these articles were?

thanks, Chris

[Tom D.]

Search for Wheel Rivet 1960 ?

Chris: I have not looked at each article yet, but I did this search and got at least 5 hits.

Tom Dingman

[Chris H.]

Re: Search for Wheel Rivet 1960 ?

None of these described the wheel differences for C1's. Can someone knowledgeable go thru the changes/AIM notes for C1's? Noland does have some info but is there something more up to date for judging?

Chris

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Search for Wheel Rivet 1960 ?

Chris, I am remembering an article by the late Rolf Krueger that clearly delineated the differences. I may have printed a copy and have it laying around somewhere. Do your search with his name and see what you come up with. In the meantime I will check this weekend to see if I made a copy of this article.
Garry

[Dennis A.]

Re: Search for Wheel Rivet 1960 ?

chris...

This is what I have on 1960 wheels...

All wheels were dip painted prior to being painted body color on the face.

Kelsey Hayes 15 X 5 were welded.

RPO 276 were Kelsey Hayes 15 X 5 1/2 Riveted.

Correct wheels have a hub containing a distint outer ridge and three nubs for small hub cap attachment.

Balance weights were specified as being "inside" the wheel rim edge.

All 1960 and later has "no cutout" wheels; however, "dog Bone" cutout will usually pass judging.

[Chris H.]

Re: Search for Wheel Rivet 1960 ?

On your last statement. What does "no cutout" mean? Are you saying dogbone is OK for '60-'62 (and back to '56?)or just that judges do not mark down?

What is in the '58-'60 JGM?

Thanks, Chris

[Chris H.]

Re: Search for Wheel Rivet 1960 ?

thanks, now I am figuring out the CD. There is a chart, however all Rolf states is that 54-62 5" wheels were riveted. This does not agree with the '61-'62 JGM. He list part numbers but is missing the 3723561 from the AIM.

I am starting to think no one has written an article with the latest info.

Chris

[Dennis A.]

Re: Search for Wheel Rivet 1960 ?

Chris...

Somewhere in the archieves is a very good discussion on wheels (pictures and all) If you cannot find it, I well try to dig out some that I have for you.

The dogbone is NOT ok, but word has it that the judges are not over concerned. However, judges are judges....

[Clare Carpenter]

The bottom line for 62 wheels revisited:

Just so there is no confusion this link descibes the only wheels considered "correct" for 1962 Corvette, non big brake cars. The wheels for the big brake option were riveted 15x5.5" but that is a different story.

https://www.ncrs.org/forum/tech.cgi/noframes/read/172959

Other year wheels may fit and share some of the characteristics of the correct wheels for a 61-62 car. Whether they may get overlooked by some judges at some levels of judging I can't say. At a national meet if I were seeking a Top Flight I wouldn't take a chance with any other style.

[Chris H.]

Re: The bottom line for 62 wheels revisited:

thanks Clare, I am also trying to figure out what was used on earlier cars. Need to get rid of the 5 wheels I have.

I guess the '53 wheel (3699828)that I have is easy. I wonder if it was used on other than Corvette.(waiting for my earlier Colvin book)

The 3 riveted wheels I am not sure about(with pre'63 large valve stem hole). Are they correct for earlier vettes? Did Passenger even use a 15 x 5 steel wheel ever? (Other than '64 police) Perhaps they were on other GM vehicles?

Then I have the welded steel wheel with dogbones. What years are they correct for?

Questions, questions.

[Mike E.]

Re: The bottom line for 62 wheels revisited:

1955 and 1956 passenger cars all used 15X5 wheels. That's where most of the replacement ones come from. 98% of the wheels you see at Carlisle, etc. as Corvette wheels are really 55-56 passenger car.
I'm told--never been able to verify this--that the passenger cars from the Atlanta assembly plant had correct centers, while all the others lacked the extra contour on the center.
By the way--to be picky, picky--these same wheels are correct for standard brake cars AND RPO 686 (metallic brake) cars.
Mike

[Mike E.]

Re: Search for Wheel Rivet 1960 ?

I have to respectfully disagree with Dennis--any time I headed the 61-62 judging teams at nationals, that was an item that we tried to verify (although difficult to see)--I can't agree with the "word has it"--perhaps that was the case at a chapter meet--but don't count on it for having your car skip through--do it right the first time, as long as you're going to that kind of trouble to find wheels. (However, and of course I didn't mention this--it's not all that tough to fill the dogbones.)