Aluminium wheels on 75 vette

[humphbri]

Hi there

I have seen a couple of 1975 vettes (even a model kit) with aluminum wheels. But most sites tell me that aluminum wheels did not become an option until 1976. Can these 75s with aluminum wheels be original?

Thanks

[Mac]

They might be original Corvette aluminum wheels but my understanding is, like you said, the aluminum wheels weren't offered as a factory option until 76.

-Mac

[humphbri]

Originally Posted by Mac

They might be original Corvette aluminum wheels but my understanding is, like you said, the aluminum wheels weren't offered as a factory option until 76.

-Mac

Thanks Mac.

Cheers

[Mac]

Originally Posted by humphbri

Thanks Mac.

Cheers

No problem. I'm not a purist so if someone chooses to run aluminum wheels on a pre-76, I say go for it. Many, if not most Corvettes end up being customized one way or another. The only time it might become an issue is if you're trying for NCRS judging and wheels is one of the easiest things to change back to original, right?

-Mac

[6880 Mike]

Originally Posted by humphbri

...Can these 75s with aluminum wheels be original?...

Original? No. Will they fit and can you use them? Yes.

[humphbri]

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that alloy wheels must have been avaialble in 75. There are just too many pics of 75 vettes out there with alloy wheels, hey, even the image on this web site show alloy wheels. If you google '75 corvette" a lot of them come up with alloy wheels.

I have even found a plastic model with alloy wheels.

So either it was an option, or a heck of a lot of people with "original" 75s chose to put alloy wheels on their cars after they purchased them.

Ah well, it's not like it matters much, my car looks good with alloys.

Cheers

[Vettehead Mikey]

If you look around you'll see lots of '74s and '73s with aluminum wheels too. Doesn't make them original.

[John Ulrich]

That was a popular upgrade for earlier years when they came out in '76. Look at how many C4 and earlier C5's have added the most recent wheels for an updated look.

[humphbri]

I think that must be it. My 75 has 76 alloys on it. All I can guess is that in the mid to late seventies the owner thought an upgrade to alloys would be a good look.

Thanks

[John Ulrich]

When you think back..the "Rally Wheel" was the only factory choice (except for the wire wheel cover in certain years) you had for 8 years without going aftermarket. The Vette guys were starved for an "alloy" wheel. I remember helping my friend order his '76 and these wheels with Flame Orange paint really popped. Only 14% of buyers ordered the wheels in '76 at a wopping $299! I remember he passed on power windows for $107 and the L82 for just under $500....he really wanted that motor...now we laugh at how cheap it seems today.
JU

[humphbri]

I know what you mean, I need to add shoulder belts to my car and it will cost me around $450 for aftermarket stuff (belts, mouldings etc), not to mention a lot of screwing around to install them. As an option in 75 they were 41 bucks. Cheers

[petes74ttop]

Check out this site http://www.idavette.net/facts/75.htm Pete.

[toolman0114]

Option YJ8 cast aluminum wheels appeared on early 1974 option lists, but chevy records indicate none were sold.
Here's the link to confirm it, read about half way down, the second line under Base Engine:

http://www.employees.org/~fath/vette/specsheet.htm

[toolman0114]

I just picked up a set of factory original kelsey aluminum wheels with tires for $400, tires only have about 1000 miles on them, my question is:
How do you read the date stamp on the back? what do the letters and numbers stand for?

[6880 Mike]

Originally Posted by toolman0114

...Option YJ8 cast aluminum wheels appeared on early 1974 option lists, but chevy records indicate none were sold....

Correct. Big Wheels were set to be introduced as an option on the '74s. Four cars were produced with the wheels and all four were thought to have gone to GM in Detroit. Due to porosity problems, none of the wheels were sold to the public. BUT...for a short period in the fall of '73, the wheels were available over the counter through Chevrolet parts dealers and folks could get them.