I have a friend who has a set of "wire wheels" or spoke wheels, which he says are from a Corvette. I was not aware that any such wheel was ever offered (C1-C6).

Can anyone enlighten me?

 

They may have come off of a Corvette, but, if he is stating they are "factory", that's untrue.
There were a few Corvettes that did have spoke/wire wheels, but they were all built for high ups at GM, such as Harlow Curtis(Pres.), Bill Mitchell, etc.
None were ever issued as a factory option.

Now, if it could be proven that these rims were from one of those "special" Corvettes, that would be very interesting...

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Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Joel,
I spoke with a guy that had a 78 anniversary vette that he bought new that had wires on it. They were a dealer option when he bought the car. It was a few years back but I seem to remember they were sportin the cross flags on the spinners.
He was an easy mark for conversation since he was pullin the car behind his camper and caught me checkin it out in the campground.

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"Dealer Option" being the operative phrase.
The dealers could install just about anything they, or the customer wanted, such as the luggage racks on the earlier cars, the passenger side mirrors, or even special paint.
GM did not install them at the factory, tho.


OK...so I may be splittin hairs here. My '74 had Ansen Sprint 'luminum rims installed at the dealer when it was new. Did they look kewl? Heck yeah! Period correct? Heck yeah!! "Factory" installed? uh...nope!
There were many Dealer installed "options" available back then, including pin stripes, custom rims/tires, hood scoops, heck, even "Kleenex" dispensers!
Check one of the "accessory" brochures for the period, and you might find a lot of neat stuff. I've got one for 1974, and it does have the luggage rack, pass. side mirror, and even cruise control, none of which were available from the assembly line. Adams' Apple38929.8562962963

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Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Joel, You forgot to mention the 45 RPM record players. You had to be a cool cat to have one of those.

Back in the '50s (and maybe early '60s), 45 rpm record players were a factory option on some high line Mopars (maybe even Cadillac as well, not sure). For the life of me, I can't figure out how anyone would think that was a practical accessory. How would you keep it from skipping and bouncing across the record and scratching the crap out of it, much less being able to change discs?

The younger generation won't have a clue what I'm talking about...this is loooong before the days of CD's and even cassettes.

Cassette?
Record player?



How 'bout 8-Track?
And tube type radios...AM only.. Adams' Apple38930.6925462963

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Yep, that's what I were a talkin about. No intention of implying GM had done that. Shucks if'n anybody wants to buy mine fer the right $$$ they can say they from a corvette and be talkin truth straight up!

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Be careful, my 1st vette came w/spoked wheels, they looked great but besides the crazy maintanence the offset was too much so they used spacers,BOOOOOO!!! Stripped lugs, wheels falling off, NOT GOOD.I gave them away.

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Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

 
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