Corvette C3 Wheels
Corvette wheels have been an integral part of the iconic sports car's identity throughout its storied history. These wheels not only serve as essential functional components but also contribute to the distinctive style and performance that define the Corvette brand.
The tire and wheel sizes underwent changes throughout the years, and for more detailed information, you can refer to the article on the RPM calculator.
The Rally Wheels
The introduction of four-wheel disc brakes on the 1965 Corvettes led to the need for a wheel redesign, giving birth to the iconic Rally wheels, which made their first appearance on the 1967 model year Corvettes. (During 1965 and 1966, steel wheels were redesigned to accommodate the new disc brakes.)
The steel Rally Wheel was painted silver with a black inside face and featured five oval slots. Between 1968 and 1982, all Corvettes came standard with Rally wheels, complete with stainless-steel trim rings and chrome center caps displaying the "Chevrolet Motor Division" inscription.
For an additional cost, buyers had the option to equip their 1968 - 1973 models (RPO P01 for 1968 and P02 for 1969-73) with full wheel covers (Deluxe Wheel Covers). While similar covers were available for other Chevrolet vehicles, Corvettes had a distinctive feature: a protruding center adorned with the Corvette crossed-flag emblem. This futuristic-looking option proved highly popular, with over 30% of customers choosing it for the 1968 Corvette model year.
The Aluminum wheels
In 1973, Chevrolet introduced eight-slot cast aluminum wheels as a new option (RPO YJ8 1973, 1976-1978 and N90 1979-1982) with a black painted center. However, Chevrolet's records reveal that initially, only four vehicles were fitted with them due to quality issues. The primary problem was air escaping from the tires due to their porosity. These aluminum wheels were later reintroduced as an optional feature from the 1976 model year through 1982. The popularity of the optional aluminum wheels soared in the 1978 model year, with over 60% of built Corvettes being equipped with them.
The aluminum wheels used on the Pace car replica were more extensively polished and included a red stripe running along the outer edge. The plastic center was unpainted but featured the same crossed flag emblem.
Starting from the 1980 model year and extending through 1982, these aluminum wheels were highly polished and clear coated, distinguishing them from their earlier counterparts. Additionally, there was a new cross-flag design in the center of the wheel, and the plastic center was left unpainted, similar to the design of pace car replica wheels.
The 1982 collector edition wheels are crafted from aluminum but feature a distinct design compared to the regular production option aluminum wheels. In the center of the hub, you'll find a silver disc adorned with the 1982 crossed-flag logo. The collector wheel closely emulated the wheel trim of the Corvette 1967 N89, with 36 radial fins.
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Other articles
General information:
- Corvette C3 years
- Corvette Specs, Colors, etc. by year:
1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 - Is the Corvette C3 always a Stingray?
- Corvette C3 charts
- Corvette C3 books
- Mako Shark II
- Corvette L88
- Greenwood Corvettes
- Reader's Wheels: Corvette 1968
- Restomod Corvette C3s
- Corvette C3 Buyer's Checklist
Technical:
- Corvette C3 & Rochester Quadrajet
- Corvette C3 engines
- Corvette C3 transmissions
- Corvette C3 RPM calculator
- Corvette C3 emission systems
- Corvette C3 birdcage and rust
- Number matching and RPO
- Corvette C3 oils
