bill connell

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The debate has raged for years as to whether the 51/2 inch 1957 wide wheels were painted black, red, or the color of the car. I have photos of the black airbox 4007 car being delivered at the factory with black wheels. Does anyone else have photos of original wide wheels being delivered at the factory or the dealer?

Marks69BB

The wheels, whether they have dog dish or regular hubcaps, are always supposed to be the color of the car unless it is white with red interior. The wheels were painted red with that combination.

Ironcross

Not exactly so,......my 61 with red interior and white wheels and on a white Vette



and the invoice showing the ordered RPO`s and colors



except with dog dish caps

like this maybe

DZAUTO

The pictures that Bill Connell has of 1957 4007 when it was BRAND NEW sort of speak for what would have been correct and original on 57's with the wide wheels. There is virtually zero room for argument on that issue.
Oh ya, and let's keep in mind, the issue is for the optional 5 1/2in wide wheels, NOT the standard 5in wheels.

DANG BILL!!!!!!!!!!! I just wish you hadn't sold the car!
And on top of that, I recently learned that Rich Mason sold his SR2! DANG again!

Marks69BB

[QUOTE=DZAUTO;1585649252]Oh ya, and let's keep in mind, the issue is for the optional 5 1/2in wide wheels, NOT the standard 5in wheels.
[QUOTE]

So are you saying that all 5 1/2" wheels are black regardless of body color or are they just like all of the 5" wheels in 1957 where they are body color other than being red on a white on red car?


Ironcross - no argument they differ on C1s depending on year. It is assumed this is for 57 only.

bill connell

To be clear, I was asking about 1957 51/2 inch RPO 276 wheels only. I believe the later c1 wheels used the same color scheme as the standard 5" wheels

Marks69BB

This may help. In Noland Adams Vol. 1 on pg 158 he states that they were always black and in a B&W pic on pg 159 of a white 57 with the wide wheels, they appear to be black. Later he states the wide wheels continued to be black in 58 and 59 until changed to body color in 1960.

jim lockwood

Not necessarily.

It depends on how sensitive was the film to the red end of the visible spectrum. Many films of the era had poor red sensitivity which resulted in red objects appearing very dark.

Also, a filter ahead of the lens could affect how red objects register on the film. An extreme example: place a green filter ahead of the lens and anything red will appear as black.

Jim

emccomas

As I recall, this is one of the known "inconsistencies" in Noland's book. While his books are great, they are not perfect, and a number of inconsistencies have been identified.

I have seen a real photograph of the picture you are referring to on page 159, and in the actual photograph they do not appear to be black, they are a lighter shade.

62corvette

NCRS says 58 wide wheels were silver. I've seen a couple of unrestored original cars, and that was present on both of those. I think that is correct. 61-62 wide wheels were body color. I realize this doesn't address the original post, but it addresses several of the responses.

SebringBill

It doesn't help the 5.5" wheel question, but I can attest to the white cars w/red interior having red 5" std wheels. My 57 was originally white/red & came w/3 of the 5 original wheels...all red. Addl info: 1)I'm the 2nd owner & 2) the original wheels were changed to '54 Skylark K-H wires sometime before 1964.

Todd H.

Did you buy something with wide wheels, Bill?

Todd

Marks69BB

Agreed on the white with red 5" wheels as I own one as well. Surely someone either owns or has seen an original survivor non-black 57 with wide wheels to answer this question for the OP. JohnZ or others in the know????

JohnZ

I'm in the camp that believes the '57 RPO 276 wheels were body color.

emccomas

John, I hear you. What about a white 57 car with a red interior? What color would you expect those wheels to be?

bill connell

I believe John Neas' 3963 RPO 684 car was white with red 5.5" wheels----as I believe shown in photos of the car as it was raced at Cumberland , less than a week after factory delivery.

DZAUTO

----------------------as faithfully restored to it's race prepared configuration 1wk after being delivered new.

JohnZ

I'd expect the wheels to be red with that white/red combination.

emccomas

Thanks John, that is what I would expect as well.