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What would I need to do to fit '09-'13 wheels on a '79?
I was at the Mecum auction this weekend and saw this beautiful car with a great set of wheels on it. Look to be '09-'13 replicas. I have a '79. Can anyone tell me what spacers/adapters I would need to get these wheels to fit like they do in this picture? Thanks!
When the C4 Corvette came out, there were many sources for an adapter to bolt them onto a C2 and C3. Most of the big Corvette suppliers had them, like Mid America Corvettes (Mid America Design), Eckler's, and others.
Check some of them. They weren't cheap, and they do add a bit to the wear on the wheel bearings.
When the C4 Corvette came out, there were many sources for an adapter to bolt them onto a C2 and C3. Most of the big Corvette suppliers had them, like Mid America Corvettes (Mid America Design), Eckler's, and others.
Check some of them. They weren't cheap, and they do add a bit to the wear on the wheel bearings.
Good deal, I'll start looking for some adapters. Are there any good sites for modern wheels that would naturally fit the c3's? The big boys (discount/TR) don't have much of a selection that they say fits the c3.
..do you have anymore pictures of that car? (want to see the hood)
Thanks for the link! No, unfortunately I just happen to see this car in the "Sold" lot as we were leaving, had to take that picture through a chain link fence. When I tried to look it back up in the listings I couldn't find it, must have been worked in. That's the only picture I got.
I'll measure my adapters that I've got on my '81 when I get home. I am running standard C5 size wheels. Pretty sure I've got 2.5" upfront and 2.75" in the back. 245's in the front and 275's in the back. Works great with absolutely no rubbing.
I'll measure my adapters that I've got on my '81 when I get home. I am running standard C5 size wheels. Pretty sure I've got 2.5" upfront and 2.75" in the back. 245's in the front and 275's in the back. Works great with absolutely no rubbing.
That would be great.
I now know that those are definitely not the actual c6 wheels. They measure in at 18x9.5/19x12!
At the moment I'm thinking of going with this setup (opinions would be appreciated).
Replica C6 grand sport black rims (like OP) in 18x9.5. http://www.performancecorvettes.com/...-x-8.5%22.html
255/45/18 tires- should be almost identical to OE fit
2.5" spacers/adapters
These wheels have an offset of 56mm, OE wheels are -3 (59mm= 2.32"). So with 2.5" adapter, centerline of wheels/tires should be .18" out. Damn close. Please let me know if my math is off.
Quick question, there weren't any fastback glass stingrays, right? Anything in the OP picture give away the year of the car?
No, the "Sting Ray" badge never appeared on any '78+which have the fastback. '76 was the last year for the "Sting Ray" badging. I don't believe that either "Stingray" or "Sting Ray" badging ever appeared on the rear; instead "Corvette" in various was always on the rear centered above the license plate. "Stingray" badging NEVER indicated any special options/engines/etc. When present it was on ALL of that model year.
Looks to me like a well-modified '79. The seamless rear bumper/spoiler is obviously not original nor is the hood. Otherwise the body/interior details look to be from '79.
I now know that those are definitely not the actual c6 wheels. They measure in at 18x9.5/19x12!
At the moment I'm thinking of going with this setup (opinions would be appreciated).
Replica C6 grand sport black rims (like OP) in 18x9.5. http://www.performancecorvettes.com/...-x-8.5%22.html
255/45/18 tires- should be almost identical to OE fit
2.5" spacers/adapters
These wheels have an offset of 56mm, OE wheels are -3 (59mm= 2.32"). So with 2.5" adapter, centerline of wheels/tires should be .18" out. Damn close. Please let me know if my math is off.
Alright, so the fronts are 2.75" and the rears are 3". Those are the standard size C5 wheels which are not quite as wide as the C6's.
I think you may have been looking at grand sport or Z06 wheels. if they're 12" in the back. I've put my rears (18x9.5) on the fronts and there was zero rubbing (thank discount tire for that one), but I suspect you'll have some issues with the 12" rears fitting. You're likely going to need some offset trailing arms, if not flares... haha.
you must measure the wheel backspace you plan to use for example,
C4 wheel has 6" backspace.
you want app. 4-4.5 inches backspace, for equivalent C3 wheels.
so you need app. 2-2.5" Adapters to mount your rim.
very important* if your going to use Adapters use "concentric Adapters"
these keep the wheel centered on the hub.
Adapters use same chevy bolt pattern with extra lugs.
Spacers use you current lugs and reduce your thread depth.
with this combo. of 17" wheels I used 2" in the front , and 2.25" in the rear.
the larger the Adapters the further your wheels will stick out.
you must measure the wheel backspace you plan to use for example,
C4 wheel has 6" backspace.
you want app. 4-4.5 inches backspace, for equivalent C3 wheels.
so you need app. 2-2.5" Adapters to mount your rim.
very important* if your going to use Adapters use "concentric Adapters"
these keep the wheel centered on the hub.
Adapters use same chevy bolt pattern with extra lugs.
Spacers use you current lugs and reduce your thread depth.
with this combo. of 17" wheels I used 2" in the front , and 2.25" in the rear.
the larger the Adapters the further your wheels will stick out.
ive been looking for wheels for my 82 collector for bigger tire selection but could not settle on anything. your golden car is similar in color and those wheels look great on it thanks for sharing!!
No, the "Sting Ray" badge never appeared on any '78+which have the fastback. '76 was the last year for the "Sting Ray" badging. I don't believe that either "Stingray" or "Sting Ray" badging ever appeared on the rear; instead "Corvette" in various was always on the rear centered above the license plate. "Stingray" badging NEVER indicated any special options/engines/etc. When present it was on ALL of that model year.
Looks to me like a well-modified '79. The seamless rear bumper/spoiler is obviously not original nor is the hood. Otherwise the body/interior details look to be from '79.
Obviously, the owner added new badging. It has a C7 Stingray emblem on the front fender.
Last edited by SRQStingray; 01-20-2017 at 06:42 AM.
Obviously, the owner added new badging. It has a C7 Stingray emblem on the front fender.
Oh man, I went to 4 different parts stores a total of 10 trips yesterday afternoon trying to track down some lug nuts that would work with the 2.5" adapters! Had to be 7/16-20, but then some were too short, another set were too fat to fit with the socket around them down the adapter holes. Finally found some at Advance that should work, but they only had 5. 15 more coming in this morning and hopefully we will have new shoes (and pics) by this afternoon!
Oh man, I went to 4 different parts stores a total of 10 trips yesterday afternoon trying to track down some lug nuts that would work with the 2.5" adapters! Had to be 7/16-20, but then some were too short, another set were too fat to fit with the socket around them down the adapter holes. Finally found some at Advance that should work, but they only had 5. 15 more coming in this morning and hopefully we will have new shoes (and pics) by this afternoon!
Finally done. Between Advanced and Autozone I was finally able to put a full set of lug nuts together. I guess the only other surprise was that the original rear wheels already had 1/4" spacers behind them. Rears are definitely a bit more tucked in than before, even with 2.5" spacers. Could not be happier. I guess the only other thing that I could have considered would have been going with a 3" spacer on the back and a wider wheel/tire, but I liked the idea of keeping all the tires interchangeable as the car was designed.
01-09-2017, 11:02 AM
What would I need to do to fit '09-'13 wheels on a '79?
