A Historical Look Back at the Wheels Vettes Ride On
After the characteristics of body shape and color, wheels are arguably the most definitive aspect of a car’s personality. A great looking set of wheels can make an average car (such as a Chevy Nova) look like a hot car with just a set of Cragar wheels. Having good looking wheels is the fastest way to get people to tell you, “Hey man, nice wheels”
Looking back at Corvette wheel designs, it’s amazing to realize that the first three generation base Corvettes road on stamped steel wheels. It wasn’t until Corvette’s 11th season that buyers had any wheel option at all. The ‘63 to ‘67 knock-off and knock-off-styled wheels were quite the ticket. Then from ‘68 to ‘72, it was back to stamped steel wheels only. They were beautifully styled wheels but due to their growing width and larger tires, were adding a lot of unsprung weight. Corvette buyers finally got a wheel option again in ‘73 with the very nice looking aluminum alloy wheels that definitely enhanced the Mako Shark looks of the C3 cars.
Corvette buyers saw the last of the stamped steel wheels at the close of the ‘82 model year. With the introduction of the C4 in ‘84, its been alloy wheels all the way, providing Corvette buyers with some of the most beautiful automotive wheel designs made. Continue reading “Corvette Wheels Pt. 1 of 3 – 1953 to 1967”
