1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

[Steven B.]

Anyone have a recent price on 1958 5 1/2 inch wheels? Set of 5 with original silver paint and hubcaps.

Thanks!

Steve

[Dennis C.]

1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

I'd guess 10K would be a steal, if they're real...
I'd guess 15K would be real & a steal...
The "find" is the "grind" in my mind...
Best, Dennis

[Joe L.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

I'd guess 10K would be a steal, if they're real...
I'd guess 15K would be real & a steal...
The "find" is the "grind" in my mind...
Best, Dennis

Dennis and Steve-----


The 5-1/2" riveted wheels, GM #3748348, were discontinued from SERVICE in August, 1965 and replaced by GM #3839814 and, shortly thereafter, GM #3838080 which were 5-1/2" riveted wheels. So, I'd say the chance of finding any NOS GM #3748348 wheels would be "negligible".

From what I can determine, the 3748348 wheels were Corvette-only with ONE exception. That exception was late 1962 Chevrolet police cars. So, if one can find oneself a late 1962 police car still with its original wheels, one has found what one seeks and, likely, for a "steal" of a price.

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Joe, Unless I misunderstand the post, wheels 5 1/2" (58/62) in question, are a riveted wheel only, not the '63 welded variety. Best, Dennis

[Joe L.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Joe, Unless I misunderstand the post, wheels 5 1/2" (58/62) in question, are a riveted wheel only, not the '63 welded variety. Best, Dennis

Dennis-----


I blew it. I thought they were riveted, too, but when I looked them up, I found that they were welded, so I figured I was wrong. Now, I checked again and it looks like I "slipped a line" to come up with the welded (which applied to another wheel a line below). So, you're correct, they are riveted. And, I was correct before I was wrong.

I'll correct the original post so that incorrect information doesn't get into the archives and create consternation for some restorer years from now.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Joe, Unless I misunderstand the post, wheels 5 1/2" (58/62) in question, are a riveted wheel only, not the '63 welded variety. Best, Dennis

Dennis-----


Also and by the way, I know very little about these wheels. What is the difference between the original GM #3748348 wheels and the GM #3839814 and 3838080 replacements?

[Tom B.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Steve,

Are you going to unload some of your stash and retire?

Tom

[Edward M.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Dennis and Steve-----


The 5-1/2" riveted wheels, GM #3748348, were discontinued from SERVICE in August, 1965 and replaced by GM #3839814 and, shortly thereafter, GM #3838080 which were 5-1/2" riveted wheels. So, I'd say the chance of finding any NOS GM #3748348 wheels would be "negligible".

From what I can determine, the 3748348 wheels were Corvette-only with ONE exception. That exception was late 1962 Chevrolet police cars. So, if one can find oneself a late 1962 police car still with its original wheels, one has found what one seeks and, likely, for a "steal" of a price.

Joe;

Didn't taxis also use these wide wheels? I seem to recall that Dale Pearman told me that police cars and taxis had the wide wheels as well as Corvettes.

[James A.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

I had the following in my files: Original wide 15"x5.5" wheels are hard to find today but interestingly twice as many Corvettes had them as were sold with the big brake options. The RPO 276 wide wheels cannot hold the normal Corvette wheelcovers and cars with them were shipped with small passenger car small hubcaps. From 1957 through 1962 there were 1,813 Corvettes shipped with the wide wheels. They were also an option available on full-size Chevrolets such as taxicabs and police cars.
Original RPO 276 wide wheels are of riveted construction rather than welded, do not have tire bead safety depressions on their rims, and have large valve stem holes. The manufacturer markings inside were stamped in before the rim was formed. One is a circular 'Kelsey Hayes -Made in USA' logo; another looks like a 'cattle brand' - a round logo with the number 4 inside it. Also inside, near the logos, some original wheels have 15X5 1/2K and no date; others have a smaller 15X5 1/2 - K (note the dash) and date, i.e., 60 for the year and one a small number stamped crookedly near it denoting the month. The only outside marking is one embossed 'GM' on the front near the lug holes.

[John D.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Joe;

Didn't taxis also use these wide wheels? I seem to recall that Dale Pearman told me that police cars and taxis had the wide wheels as well as Corvettes.

Airport limos and taxis did use the 15 X5-1/2 KH wheels. I once had a pair of NOS limo wheels. The rim itself is 100% identical to the real deal Corvette wheel. Problem is the center section or spider is not. The limo /taxi wheel has heavy duty springs to hold the hub cap on. So they are not the same wheel. JD

[Edward M.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Airport limos and taxis did use the 15 X5-1/2 KH wheels. I once had a pair of NOS limo wheels. The rim itself is 100% identical to the real deal Corvette wheel. Problem is the center section or spider is not. The limo /taxi wheel has heavy duty springs to hold the hub cap on. So they are not the same wheel. JD

JD;

Are you talking about springs like those that are riveted to the 54 (and other year) passenger car wheels? Sort of like spring steel clips?

[Steven B.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Steve,

Are you going to unload some of your stash and retire?

Tom

Not yet Tom! Nancy wants to know the value of my stuff in case I might pass on in my sleep due to her intolerance of my snoring.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1958 5 1/2 inch Wheels

Joe;

Didn't taxis also use these wide wheels? I seem to recall that Dale Pearman told me that police cars and taxis had the wide wheels as well as Corvettes.

Ed-----


I can find no indication that taxi cabs used these wheels. However, I would not rule it out. Depending upon how they were originally ordered, taxi cabs sometimes used the same basic chassis package as police. That's not how it is now, but that's how it was then.