1969 ralley wheels

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Interesting that Corvette would keep the same wheel Suffix for 10 years if that's the case.

They kept that steel wheel, what we call a rally wheel, in production from mid- calendar year 1968 until well into 1982, and they got it as a service part from the original manufacturer Kelsey Hayes for a lot longer. 14 years in production, and I'm sure more than 20 years as a service part. It is a rather remarkable run. They were/are extremely popular, and can be found on all sorts of vehicles.

[John M.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

I knew they had the ralley rim for many years. I'm just surprised that they kept the suffix codes the same.

Looking at the Chevelle SS from 69 and 70. Virtually the same rim, but different Suffix Codes. YA and AO if memory serves me correctly.

I just thought there would be a change in that many years.

It makes it tough as seen in this example, if you have a mixture of 69 and 79 wheels.

What differentiates them?

[Greg L.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Yes there are ways to tell REAL 69 rims from the 79 rims as there are various differences especialy when they are side by side.

One way is to look for that "welded BB" on the outer side of the rim near the lip. It was used for a balancing reference and as far as I know is on all 69 rims but was only used up to about 72 therfore a 69 rim should have it but a 79 rim won't....unless someone "added" it. Only one of these rims in the pics has this and it's at about the 6:00 position in the pic.

If the tire is off there should also be a "TRA" stamping that can be seen inside the rim that was used until about 72.

One thing I have noticed that may also be an indicator is how the date and rim code is stamped at the valve stem hole. On my 69 rims with the rim mounted on the car and the valve stem at the 12:00 position the date/rim code is stamped "upside down". Now on later rims(I have some mid 70s and a 79 rim) with the valve stem at the 12:00 position the date/rim code is stamped "right side up". I don't know when they reversed this stamping but I'll guess it was around 72. This can also be seen in the pics. See how the Jan-15 rim is stamped one way and the other rim is stamped the other way?

My guess is that this Jan-15 rim is also the one with the "welded BB" and the only real 69 rim of the four.

[John M.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Somewhat misleading Ad then I would say. I would have fallen for that.

Good info.

[Kenny C.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Yes there are ways to tell REAL 69 rims from the 79 rims as there are various differences especialy when they are side by side.

One way is to look for that "welded BB" on the outer side of the rim near the lip. It was used for a balancing reference and as far as I know is on all 69 rims but was only used up to about 72 therfore a 69 rim should have it but a 79 rim won't....unless someone "added" it. Only one of these rims in the pics has this and it's at about the 6:00 position in the pic.

If the tire is off there should also be a "TRA" stamping that can be seen inside the rim that was used until about 72.

One thing I have noticed that may also be an indicator is how the date and rim code is stamped at the valve stem hole. On my 69 rims with the rim mounted on the car and the valve stem at the 12:00 position the date/rim code is stamped "upside down". Now on later rims(I have some mid 70s and a 79 rim) with the valve stem at the 12:00 position the date/rim code is stamped "right side up". I don't know when they reversed this stamping but I'll guess it was around 72. This can also be seen in the pics. See how the Jan-15 rim is stamped one way and the other rim is stamped the other way?

My guess is that this Jan-15 rim is also the one with the "welded BB" and the only real 69 rim of the four.

This is exactly why this forum is so valuable. I definetly would have fallen for this and would have paid too much and been no better off than buying reporductions. Thank you all very much for the input and advice.
Best Regards
Kenny

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Yes there are ways to tell REAL 69 rims from the 79 rims as there are various differences especialy when they are side by side.

One way is to look for that "welded BB" on the outer side of the rim near the lip. It was used for a balancing reference and as far as I know is on all 69 rims but was only used up to about 72 therfore a 69 rim should have it but a 79 rim won't....unless someone "added" it. Only one of these rims in the pics has this and it's at about the 6:00 position in the pic.

If the tire is off there should also be a "TRA" stamping that can be seen inside the rim that was used until about 72.

One thing I have noticed that may also be an indicator is how the date and rim code is stamped at the valve stem hole. On my 69 rims with the rim mounted on the car and the valve stem at the 12:00 position the date/rim code is stamped "upside down". Now on later rims(I have some mid 70s and a 79 rim) with the valve stem at the 12:00 position the date/rim code is stamped "right side up". I don't know when they reversed this stamping but I'll guess it was around 72. This can also be seen in the pics. See how the Jan-15 rim is stamped one way and the other rim is stamped the other way?

My guess is that this Jan-15 rim is also the one with the "welded BB" and the only real 69 rim of the four.

You ARE right -- there are other ways to tell, and years ago (about 1999 or 2000) I published a story (actually a series of stories -- maybe 4 of them) about rally wheels. Give me a little time and I'll think of the author. Wendel(l) Hans was the author.

I can tell you for sure that not ALL 1969 to 1972 AZ wheels had the BB. If they were round (within specs) they didn't get it. It marks the high (or low -- I have forgotten which) point of the wheel. It matches a mark made by the tire manufacturer that indicates the opposite point (high or low) of the tire.

At some point, and I think that article will tell you when, the year date code on the wheels went to a two digit style. There are dates on the center (web) of the wheel also, but those are more coded (less obvious) that those on the wheel rim.

Don't reinvent the wheel. Look up that series of stories. They will make good bedtime reading, and you will know more than you ever wanted to know about Corvette wheels.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Does anyone know what is the correct color for the 70 wheels, how do you get that green tint?

[Steven G.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Ecklers sold greenish rally wheel paint, I have not used it yet, but will sometime, hoping for the best. Steve

[Greg H.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Ecklers sold greenish rally wheel paint, I have not used it yet, but will sometime, hoping for the best. Steve

They may have sold it in the past but not anymore. I ended up getting it mixed to match the one unpainted wheel I have. Planning to paint one tomorrow to see how it matched up.

[Greg H.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Regarding the 69-70 rally wheel paint, I had one original wheel "matched" and put into spray cans this week. Painted one tire today. I think I need a new mix. They must have over-ruled the computer when it came to adding a drop of green tint. The silver is darker than the typical argent that had been sprayed onto 4 of my 5 wheels, but still not a match. I actually have some of the original paint exposed where wheel weights kept the argent from covering all the original paint, so I taped over that for a close comparison.

Would there be interest if I were to get this in bulk? $50 for two cans at a time is a little steep.

Does anyone have the correct formula?

[Jay B.]

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Even Ppg who have a historical department doesn't know the greenish tint... The only thing they say is argent silver... You have to add some(unknown amount) of green tint to achieve the greenish tint on a argent paint .... The code is 8568