'68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

[Joel K.]

Does the '68 rally wheel (15x7) trim ring have a step in the outer rim face, or is it smooth? The beat-up originals I have are smooth with a slight dip where the face bends downward. Several repro vendors list 15x7 rings, but almost all I've looked at have the step. Which is correct?

[Dave F.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

My original rings are smooth.

[Rich G.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

My originals are smooth also

Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

Does the '68 rally wheel (15x7) trim ring have a step in the outer rim face, or is it smooth? The beat-up originals I have are smooth with a slight dip where the face bends downward. Several repro vendors list 15x7 rings, but almost all I've looked at have the step. Which is correct?

Joel-----


First of all, the trim rings used for the 1968-only 7" wheels were the same as those used for 1969-82 with 8" wheels. So, any difference in configuration has nothing to do with different trim rings used for the different width wheels.

However, there was the difference in configuration that you noted which occurred "somewhere along the way". The part number, GM #3923626, never changed but the configuration did change. Just when this change occurred, I do not know.

I just checked what I believe to be the original trim rings off of my 1969. They have the "step". However, it may be that these are not the originals but a later set of replacements that I also later removed and stored. If so, the originals must be stored elsewhere around here and I know not where.

In any event, I believe that the original rings had a more-or-less smooth radius on the outer perimeter whereas "later" had the "step". It may also be that BOTH styles were used simultaneously for awhile. The difference may have been due to different suppliers.

[Jim T.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

How many C3's have true original rings? Both of my original owner 68 and 70 C3's had their rings and center caps stolen at different times before 1975. My 70's did not last 4 months.

[Terry M.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

How many C3's have true original rings? Both of my original owner 68 and 70 C3's had their rings and center caps stolen at different times before 1975. My 70's did not last 4 months.

I can't tell you what everyone elses experience was, but I have all four of my oringinal trim rings on my 1970. It was my daily driver and only vehicle for the first three years of its life, but it was garaged even then. I lived in a tough part of town back then too. Maybe I was lucky.

[John H.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

I don't know if the trim rings for the 15x7 '68 Corvette rally wheel (or the later '69 15x8 rally wheel) were the same as the trim rings on the '69 Camaro Z/28 15x7 rally wheels or not, but the original Z/28 trim rings had the "step" in the outer surface.

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

I don't know if the trim rings for the 15x7 '68 Corvette rally wheel (or the later '69 15x8 rally wheel) were the same as the trim rings on the '69 Camaro Z/28 15x7 rally wheels or not, but the original Z/28 trim rings had the "step" in the outer surface.

John-----


The Camaro trim rings were different. Several different trim rings were used on 1969 Camaros and I've not been able to positively ID the ones used for Z-28. However, I think they were GM #3901708. The Corvette rings were GM #3923626. As far as I can tell, these were not originally used for any application other than Corvette. The Camaro rings were used for other applications.

In just a few minutes I am going over to look at a friend's original owner, early 1969. I am 100% certain the rings on this car are original. The owner is way too cheap to ever have replaced them + he'd absolutely remember if he did.

[Mark D.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

Joe,

If you get a chance over at your buddies house, check those TJ2 attaching screws.

Thanks,

Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

Joe,

If you get a chance over at your buddies house, check those TJ2 attaching screws.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark-----


Oh, yes. That's at least half of the reason I'm going over there.

[Joe L.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

Well, I don't know what to think now. I checked the trim rings on my friend's original owner 1969. They have the same "step" on the edge. So, apparently, the trim rings I dug out the other day are the originals from my car----they are identical to the ones on the car I just looked at. However, they're also the same as the GM SERVICE pieces I've purchased at various times over the years.

So, I don't know where I've seen these trim rings without the "step". I'm sure they were GM trim rings, though, and not the reproductions. They were the type with the 4 clips and not the "multi-clip", aftermarket type rings. They just don't have the "step". In other words, there is a smooth radius from the inch, or so, wide outer, bead covering "rim" of the ring to the "conical" portion.

The photos below depict the rings on the car I just looked at. They are also the same as the apparently original rings from my car as well as the replacements.

Does anyone out there have any 68-82 original or GM SERVICE trim rings without the "step"? I hope that someone can prove to me that I'm not nuts about this recollection.

[Joel K.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

Thanks to you all for checking and for your replies. For what it's worth, I was at an antique car flea market today and found a guy selling wheel covers and trim rings, who also noted that the ring for the 15x7 '68 wheel is the same as was used with the 15x8 wheels '69 - '82. The rim face should be smooth according to him. Just goes to show ya -- coming up with what ya think is a straightforward, easy answer isn't always that easy, but then again, that's part of what makes playing with these cars so much fun!

[Jim T.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

Reference my earlier post about my C3's center caps and trim rings being stolen. My 70's were replaced from GM about NOV/DEC 1970. My 68's stolen in 1974 were replaced with a complete set a friend sold me from his new 74 Vette as he had replaced the wheels with aftermarket rims. Both are still on the cars now and all have the step. Have some trim rings in the attic a friend gave me about 20 years ago I need to look at.

[Dave F.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

I can't tell you what everyone elses experience was, but I have all four of my oringinal trim rings on my 1970. It was my daily driver and only vehicle for the first three years of its life, but it was garaged even then. I lived in a tough part of town back then too. Maybe I was lucky.

Just curious Terry - do your '70 rings have the "step" or are they smooth?

[Kenneth T.]

Re: '68 Rally Wheel Trim Ring

Hello everyone,

I thought I would put my 2 cents in. I am the original owner of a '71 and my trim rings have the step.

Ken