YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

[Bob B.]

When were YJ8 aluminum wheels used ? We have all seen the photos of 1973 with aluminum wheels, I am told one or two sets were delivered and had porosity issues, AND AS MANY AS 800 SETS WERE SOLD ACROSS THE COUNTER IN 1973 PART # 329381.
On Corv forum years ago a guy in Newport,CA said he had a set and showed a casting date 10/72. Zora's personal 1974 that I understand is at the museum has YJ8 aluminums. So my question is, did any 75's ever sneak out of the factory ? Like mabie on Dave's car ? Some had to get out early anybody have any on their original car ? They would sure look good on a red 75 Convertible . . .

[Bob B.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

Google Zoras 1974 Corvette for photo of 74 with aluminum wheels bet Dave McLellan had them on his 75

[James G.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

4 sets are listed to have been installed during production according to figures. So the questions just begging to be asked IS:
Were the press event cars PILOT cars or Production cars?

IF they were production then I think we will have found our YJ8 equipped cars...
If they are pilot cars... we may have to keep digging.

[Robert R.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

Here is the cover of the October 1974 issue of "Road and Track." It shows a 73 0r 74 Corvette with the YJ8 wheels. I assume they were one of the 800 sets that were sold before they were discontinued.

BTW, this is the issue in which the Steve McQueen "Bullitt" Mustang was advertised, although no price was listed.

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[Jimmy P.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

Looks like the cover car might be a 74. Don't see a chrome rear bumper back there.
Here are a few famous pics of 4 73's at a test track. Note the Michigan plates and the 1972 Inspection sticker on the windshield of the car Zora is getting in/out of. Could these be the original four sets????

He sure loved the 73's didn't he!!!!

Bob B. YJ8's weren't really available until 1976 when they were optional. You only got 4. The 73 wheels are very unique in the fact that the lug nuts were designed different than the later wheels. The 73 lugs have a black center and a sort of squared washer base. Take a close look at these in the photos...as well as Zora's 74 in the museum.

[Bob B.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

OK, so the door is open- we know there were 800 plus sets bouncing around in 1973 , 1974 and undoubtedly 1975. Zora and later Dave M hasd access to what ever they wanted out of the parts bin and "next years" parts- prototype , pre production or "The 800" We have photos of aluminum wheels on several factory owned cars and a 75 Convertible on the cover of Road & Track, IS THAT ENOUGH TO ALLOW ALUMINUM WHEELS TO BE SHOWN ON 73 74 AND 75 CARS IN NCRS SHOWS WITHOUT GETTING BEAT UP ON POINTS ? Are the casting dates visible to judges ( remember the spare- always steel, is judged on dates. Who knows when the change was made on the lug nuts ? This is kind of a small point, but my 75 red convertible sure looks good on a set of aluminums. THANKS, Bob Might ask Dave M if his 75 had aluminum wheels- bet he got them

[Bob B.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

BTW take a look at 75 Cosworth Vega lug nuts they seem to have the same center as the black center lugs show in original photos of YJ8
They are currently reproed- for those priceless Vegas Yes, they are represented as fitting Corvette sad but evidently true

[Harmon C.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

I have a set of 73 aluminum wheels and the Vega lug nuts do fit the smaller hole in the rims. I bought them at the Bob McDorman auction a few years ago and they are like new.

[Bob B.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

I have a set of 73 aluminum wheels and the Vega lug nuts do fit the smaller hole in the rims. I bought them at the Bob McDorman auction a few years ago and they are like new.

I would say those are a pretty valuable set of wheels, well done. SO, if these are properly dated 1972/73 and we know there were at least 4 1973's build and shown by the factory Can these be shown on a '73 with no deduct. What about 74 and 75 Zora had them on his '74. How about some input from a Nation level judge ???? Bob #967

[Duke W.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

BTW take a look at 75 Cosworth Vega lug nuts they seem to have the same center as the black center lugs show in original photos of YJ8
They are currently reproed- for those priceless Vegas Yes, they are represented as fitting Corvette sad but evidently true

Yes, I believe the '75 Cosworth Vega lug nuts are the same as the early, rare YJ8 YJ8 lug nuts; '76 CV lug nuts are different, and I believe they are the same as the later YJ8 type.

Duke

[Paul B.]

Re: YJ8 Aluminum wheels when were they available ???

I would say those are a pretty valuable set of wheels, well done. SO, if these are properly dated 1972/73 and we know there were at least 4 1973's build and shown by the factory Can these be shown on a '73 with no deduct. What about 74 and 75 Zora had them on his '74. How about some input from a Nation level judge ???? Bob #967

There was discussion about a '73 showing up for judging with these wheels and remember original documentation would have to be shown that these wheels came from the factory on the given '73 being judged from what I remembered.