Newbe 82 Vette- Wheels
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Fort Thomas KY
Newbe 82 Vette- Wheels
Hi all, been a Vette lover all my life, finally got one for my 50th b-day. Need help in finding and understanding original wheel options. Looking to find original / reproduction wheels. Polished or chrome? All input welcome.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 2
From: Flanders NJ
Mid-America has the Alum. alloy wheels in polished & chrome plated.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...ame=4.296.7386
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...ame=4.296.7386
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Congrats on the vette & happy birthday. 
You can get the original wheels from mid-america or ecklers however your going to pay a premium for them. Hold onto your money and keep an eye in the C3 parts section. A lot of C3 guys replace the stock wheels w/bigger aftermarket wheels and tires. You can get a nice set between $300 & $500 and spend the leftover cash on other goodies for the vette. 
You can get the original wheels from mid-america or ecklers however your going to pay a premium for them. Hold onto your money and keep an eye in the C3 parts section. A lot of C3 guys replace the stock wheels w/bigger aftermarket wheels and tires. You can get a nice set between $300 & $500 and spend the leftover cash on other goodies for the vette.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Fort Thomas KY
Congrats on the vette & happy birthday. You can get the original wheels from mid-america or ecklers however your going to pay a premium for them. Hold onto your money and keep an eye in the C3 parts section. A lot of C3 guys replace the stock wheels w/bigger aftermarket wheels and tires. You can get a nice set between $300 & $500 and spend the leftover cash on other goodies for the vette.
You can get the original wheels from mid-america or ecklers however your going to pay a premium for them. Hold onto your money and keep an eye in the C3 parts section. A lot of C3 guys replace the stock wheels w/bigger aftermarket wheels and tires. You can get a nice set between $300 & $500 and spend the leftover cash on other goodies for the vette. 
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
If you want to save a lot of money, keep an eye on the forum, and someone will have a set for about 300-400, of course, they might not look perfect even when polished.
If you want everyone at the car shows to tell you how sweet the rims look, go with the Chrome. They are the cheapest though Wilcox, and they will hold up just great!
Good Luck! and show us pictures when you get the rims put on
PS- No,they never came with chrome from the factory.
Last edited by 79L82owner; Sep 14, 2007 at 11:05 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
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Former Vendor
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
PookiesVette
Happy b-day for sure. The only problem with 79L82owner's post is that Willcox has two "L's" and not one. http://www.Willcoxcorvette.com.
You can call sales on Monday at 800-588-3883 and I'm sure they would be happy to help you.
Willcox Inc.
79L82owner, thank you!
We will be here to help and we WILL save you money!
Thanks,
Willcox Inc.
Happy b-day for sure. The only problem with 79L82owner's post is that Willcox has two "L's" and not one. http://www.Willcoxcorvette.com.
You can call sales on Monday at 800-588-3883 and I'm sure they would be happy to help you.
Willcox Inc.
79L82owner, thank you!
We will be here to help and we WILL save you money!
Thanks,
Willcox Inc.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Why stay away from the chrome rims though? I'm pretty sure they are the same wheels you have, except have a chrome plating over them. I think your saying to stay away from steel wheels that have chrome plating??? Am I right? I had chrome covered steel wheels on my truck, and yes, they started to rust in the seams, after about 3 years, I dont think these rims will do that though. Please, someone chime in if I am wrong.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Why stay away from the chrome rims though? I'm pretty sure they are the same wheels you have, except have a chrome plating over them. I think your saying to stay away from steel wheels that have chrome plating??? Am I right? I had chrome covered steel wheels on my truck, and yes, they started to rust in the seams, after about 3 years, I dont think these rims will do that though. Please, someone chime in if I am wrong.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
, I never thought about that aspect. Not too worried about the rust, but it would suck to scratch the chrome plating.BTW- Nice looking car Jim!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Just bought a used set of polished aluminum from Tracy Performance in Roseville Michigan for $275. new are $1000. Needed polish which I did myself, now have a very good looking set for my 70. Of course you would have to pay shipping which I didn't, living near by.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Fort Thomas KY
Thank you to all of you. The two tone Silver 82 & Red 79 look really good. Hope mine looks this good when I finally decide. Looks like the 82 is Chrome and the 79 is Polished....is that right.
I wanted to send a pic as it sits now...but can't figure out how to post it.
I wanted to send a pic as it sits now...but can't figure out how to post it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
I don't care for chromed slotted vette wheels. I think it looks kinda fake and cheezy. Something a punk kid (hey wait, that's what I am) would do to his car.
Mine were pretty cruddy when I bought the car. Sat outside for a good 45 minutes per wheel with some good old Turtle Wax Polishing Compound, an electric drill with a buffing wheel, and a nasty backache, and rubbed the heck out of them. The whole thing cost me about $15 for the compund and the buffing wheel. Unless you really get up and practically stare at them, they look awesome. They're not show car quality, but I think I might wetsand them with real fine grit paper to bring them up to the next level.
As far as maitenance, whenever I clean the car, I clean the wheels. Takes maybe 10 more minutes.
Don't do chrome. Keep that for the rappers rollin in their Escalades.
Mine were pretty cruddy when I bought the car. Sat outside for a good 45 minutes per wheel with some good old Turtle Wax Polishing Compound, an electric drill with a buffing wheel, and a nasty backache, and rubbed the heck out of them. The whole thing cost me about $15 for the compund and the buffing wheel. Unless you really get up and practically stare at them, they look awesome. They're not show car quality, but I think I might wetsand them with real fine grit paper to bring them up to the next level.
As far as maitenance, whenever I clean the car, I clean the wheels. Takes maybe 10 more minutes.
Don't do chrome. Keep that for the rappers rollin in their Escalades.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Thank you to all of you. The two tone Silver 82 & Red 79 look really good. Hope mine looks this good when I finally decide. Looks like the 82 is Chrome and the 79 is Polished....is that right.
I wanted to send a pic as it sits now...but can't figure out how to post it.
I wanted to send a pic as it sits now...but can't figure out how to post it.
)The red '79 has polished rims (possibly off an 80-82) as they are not black in the middle. Unless, the late 79 cars started with the all polished finish. Jim can help you on that.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
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From: Fort Thomas KY
hmmm. . . I'm not sure if your talking about my two tone silver, but I'm guessing so because its the only one pictured. Mine is a '79 as well if so. Mine are the chrome rims from Willcox (two L's )
The red '79 has polished rims (possibly off an 80-82) as they are not black in the middle. Unless, the late 79 cars started with the all polished finish. Jim can help you on that.
)The red '79 has polished rims (possibly off an 80-82) as they are not black in the middle. Unless, the late 79 cars started with the all polished finish. Jim can help you on that.
Another question, are there any difference in 80 to 82 rims? I want to ensure I get the right rims if I buy used. Also, can you tell me what to look for in center caps and lugs for an 82?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
hmmm. . . I'm not sure if your talking about my two tone silver, but I'm guessing so because its the only one pictured. Mine is a '79 as well if so. Mine are the chrome rims from Willcox (two L's )
The red '79 has polished rims (possibly off an 80-82) as they are not black in the middle. Unless, the late 79 cars started with the all polished finish. Jim can help you on that.
)The red '79 has polished rims (possibly off an 80-82) as they are not black in the middle. Unless, the late 79 cars started with the all polished finish. Jim can help you on that.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Fort Thomas KY
