Value of steel wheels

[Dan S.]

I recently acquired the original steel wheels and wheel covers that were on my 65. A couple of the wheels are identified as being bent. One shows damage to part of the edge and I can't tell what the issue is with the other wheel. My question is, can they be corrected and if so, are they valuable enough to have them repaired?

[Joe R.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Dan,

I paid $250.00 each for wheels at Carlisle a few years ago. Hopefully that helps with your decision.

Joe

[Harry S.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

I recently acquired the original steel wheels and wheel covers that were on my 65. A couple of the wheels are identified as being bent. One shows damage to part of the edge and I can't tell what the issue is with the other wheel. My question is, can they be corrected and if so, are they valuable enough to have them repaired?

Yes, they have value and for the most part they can be repaired. I'll use my 63 steel wheels as an example. All five had severe run-out. With massive amounts of weight (some at 2.5 oz) the machine said they were balanced but the car still shook.

I took them to RIMPRO in Tewksbury, Mass. He had a machine to shape them back to original position (remove the run-out). He charged me between $25.00 and $50.00 per wheel as I recall for the repair. It was time not materials.

I media blasted them, primed, sprayed with Krylon 1613 then sprayed the face with Krylon high gloss. I put an original tire and 4 re-pops on them. Two took no weight, one at 1/4 oz and two at 1/2 oz as I recall.

Good luck

[Tom D.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

I'd say the value of the wheel depends upon the date stamped inside (and the correct configuration of course). All my comments reference single wheel prices.

I'd pay $250 plus for a 63-64 wheel, but if buying I'd try to pay a little less for a real dated 65-66 steel wheel. SERVICE replacements have extra codes by the valve stem and could save you at least $50 each. Search the archives for a GM Part number.

REAL Corvette wheels from '56-62 are also much discussed in the archives. Riveted 55-56 Passenger car wheels are pretty close, but there are differences (Corvettes mostly welded, plus the shape of the center part, near where the small hubcap snaps on.) Don't let me get started on "dog bones". You asked about value: 55-56 Chevy rims $50-$100. '56 to '62 Corvette rims $100-$300 depending on condition.

One more thing. The asking price for one real 5.5" x15 1958 dated rim at Kissimmee? $7500 (Yes, it was a nice one.)

[Dan S.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Thanks for the responses. I'll take the wheels to a local wheel repair shop next week and see what they tell me.

[Dan A.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Search the archives for a GM Part number.

This is the '65-6 wheel part number Tom is referring to.3869156 65-6 wheel tag.jpg

[Dan S.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Daniel

Thanks for the part number. I've already confirmed some of the markings that are supposed to be on the wheels. I'll take a closer look for the part number before spending money to straighten them. A local wheel repair shop quoted $75.00 per wheel $75.00 to straighten them.

[Tom D.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Dan: If your wheel are original '65-'66 Corvette wheels, you will not find the part number. There were no markings next to the valve stem. Mr. Adie's photo shows a service part and it's number is only on a paper label. If that wheel was made later for GM SPO by Kelsey Hayes, in 1980 for example, there will (or should be) be stamped code by the valve stem. Depends when K-H started to add those codes on the outside rim.

Again, no stamped codes next to the valve stem on "OEM" '65-'66 wheels. OEM means original equipment manufacture, or in this case, installed on the car in St. Louis during manufacture.

I have photos of each type if you are interested.

[Dan S.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Tom,

Thanks for clarifying that. Your pictures would help tremendously. Please post them or send them to my email at dshillingburg@gmail.com.

Dan

[Tom D.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Dan: You have e-mail.

So far, I only have the service versions posted on my FLICKR site. Wait a bit for some originals. Link is under the words "Car Photos" below.

Hope this is helpful.

Car Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12824154@N03/sets/

[Dan A.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Dan, Tom is correct the part number label I posted is found on service parts only. That means a wheel that was sold through the parts department. 1967 and later CORVETTE wheels have exterior stampings as do 1967 and later service wheels.

The parts tag I posted is clearly a service part as only service parts had part number tags/labels. OEMs generally did not.

The parts tag I posted was from a set of later service replacement wheels I have with the later version stampings by the valve stem hole on the outbord side. I only posted it for the part number my good friend Tom mentioned earlier. There are no part numbers on original wheels.

If you look at the bottom of this thread page you will see an area that has "Similar Threads". These links may take you to threads with detail photos of 65-6 wheels. Several such pictures have been posted previously and this wheel topic has been discused a few times before.

The info you are looking for is already posted here somewhere. Try a search.
dan

[Dan S.]

Re: Value of steel wheels

Dan

Between you and Tom, I think I now have a clearer understanding of what to look for. Thank you.

Dan