'63 wheel rim color

[Jeff S.]

Did the '63 model year use body color paint on the wheel's outside face?
Was a white car the exception -- using black?
Did this paint convention apply to either tire sidewall (black or white)?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

[Sydney G.]

Re: '63 wheel rim color

Hi Jeff,

Glad to say that even I can answer this one.

If your '63 was originally ordered with Whitewall Tires the wheels were painted black.
If ordered with P91 blackwalls, the outer face of the rims were painted Body color.

Syd

[Jeff S.]

Re: '63 wheel rim color

Thank you, Syd. Would the spare be included, or are all spares black?

Also, I thought I had read/heard that an Ermine White exterior had black wheels regardless of tire sidewall; that is, no white colored wheel rims.

[Tom H.]

Re: '63 wheel rim color

Jeff:

Years ago Eric Gill wrote an article for the restorer on this subject. On the cars he examined at the time, the wheels were body color when blackwalls were specified, black wheels were used when whitewalls were ordered. Interestingly enough the car in the article was an original owner white coupe with blackwalls. It had white wheels.

Another interesting note. He examined a one owner saddle tan car ordered with blackwalls that had tan wheels on the front only when it arrived from the factory. A color photo of the car taken in 1963 clearly showed this "blooper"

From what I understand, the spare matched the four road wheels.

In 1964, all wheels were painted black.

[Timothy B.]

Re: '63 wheel rim color

I don't have the current 63-4 judging guide, can anyone post what is written about wheel color for 63.

[Tom H.]

Re: '63 wheel rim color

Here ya go !

[Stuart F.]

Re: '63 wheel rim color

For what it is worth; my original owned 63 was ordered with black wall tires and it came with all five rims painted body color "Daytona Blue". I made the mistake of having them repainted with a special paint (same color) back in the 70's (believe it was called emron or Imron). They looked great w/o hubcaps, but when I put the wheel covers back on, I found the paint chipped easily (too thick) and I've been touching them up ever since.

The new TIMJG says: "All wheels are dip painted a semi-gloss black and receive a color coat on the face only, either body color or gloss black. 1963 models with black wall tires, the wheel faces are painted body color and those with whitewall tires are painted gloss black. In 1964 models, the wheel faces are painted gloss black regardless of the tire option or exterior body color." (Section 21. Page 69)

[Stuart F.]

Re: '63 wheel rim color

Tim;

There you go. Take your pick - believe my quote or look at Tom's copy of the real thing (my book's pages are more white than his, Ha!).

[Tom H.]

Re: '63 wheel rim color

Tim;

There you go. Take your pick - believe my quote or look at Tom's copy of the real thing (my book's pages are more white than his, Ha!).

I thought I was getting old and worn out.............. Maybe it's just my book !!