A couple months ago I bought a 1972 vette, and from what I've read on the forum, I'd say most of the regular forum posters would say its better suited for the scrapyard.

I'm going to spend the next few years working on it anyway, but I'm an extreme noob and for my first question...

Are these the original rallye rims? They look like the stock rims to me, but I ask because they sit so far back in the wheel well, they leave a huge gap. A guy I work with says they look like they could possibly be Camero rims, but he's a Ford guy, so he isn't sure either. If they are the originals, maybe someone could help me out with they they are so inset.

Any info would be great. I'm in the process of buying the guides and service manual.

 

....those are tucked way too far in to be original correct Corvette Rally wheels. Those are probably off of a Camaro, Chevelle, Nova, etc. Under the trim ring is a two letter code, AG is correct for '68(7 inch wheel), AZ is correct for '69-'82 Corvettes(8 inch wheel).

 

 

As tucked as those are I'm wandering if they could even be '67 6" rallys...

 

Aren't those quarters flared?

I also thought that non-corvette rims wouldn't clear the calipers?

 

I would say 15x7's with 2 inch wheel flares

 

Hi,
Nice catch DZ... looks like 2" flares to me. The stock body had no flare at the start of the wheel arch.
Do look like 67 trim rings. Might have some value????
Hi C,
72s are great cars and worth the work as long as rust doesn't rear it's ughly head!
For books I hope you're considering the GM, 72 AIM (ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL) and the GM CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL for 72.
You'll have lot's of questions.... ask away!
Regards,
Alan

Hi J3... you beat me because I went down to look at my wheel arch to be sure!!!

 

Those wheels look like pre-'69 pieces with later vintage caps (if they are metal, they are originals...if they are plastic, they're not).

 

Not this one. I'm with you. Spiff this old girl up and love her the rest of your life.

Your wheels look like 7s. Codes are on either side of the valve stem.

 

Wow, I posted, went to get dinner and come back with all these posts, you guys are quick!


They are all metal, so Im pretty sure they are original from something, but Im not sure what yet. As far as rust goes, its only surface rust on the frame, nothing rusted through as far as I can find (and Ive looked at everything I can get to without disassembly). The window frame has some rust at the top and bottom corners which seems to be common from what Ive seen so far. The inside is pretty ragged out though, I will have to replace one door panel, the carpet, and some other assorted pieces. Ive got the bumpers off right now and they have some surface rust, but no pits or dents which makes me happy. I was told the engine and trans are not original though, and I haven't taken the time yet to check the codes to see what they are from. The date code on the intake manifold is sept, 69 if I remember correctly, but I just didn't look for the trans or engine pad yet.

Rough is an understatement for the body though, it will be a job to say the least. Im not really intimidated though, I have nothing but time to work on it (Ill need it!), and since it isnt an all numbers matching deal, I dont have to really be concerned with keeping it that way.




The passenger side of the car is actually in pretty good condition, but the drivers side has a front fender with a crack from the front corner almost to the door, the rear deck has a crack all the way across (possibly a bonding seam?) and the spoiler edge is all cracked up. I only paid 3k for the car though. I thought it was a good deal, but we'll see in the long run. This is a fix and keep not a fix and sell, so im not really concerned with the value.

 

Oh yeah. A nip here, a tuck there, and this old girl will be Prom Queen.

 

From the pictures, she don't look all that bad. Just needs some TLC. and from the sound of it, she's got a good home.

 

Wow. I think that's a 1970 Camaro spoiler on the back! Interesting history on this one, have you any info on previous owners? It seems to have pretty extensive period body mods... I suspect the drivetrain might be "worked" as well. I love these "time capsule" cars that somehow survive from "in the day". Nice find, and thanks for sharing!

 

If you get rid of the rear flares, the fugly spoiler in the back and fix the exhaust valance the car will look pretty stock. It must have been hit at some point (guessing) to prompt all of the back end mods. The exhaust openings look like late 60's but the pipes look like late 70's. 72's have squared-off exhaust openings. Here is a pic of an unmolested 72 (before I molested it).

Rick B.

 

Looks to me like it has fender flares making those rims look the way they do. Check the date code to see if oridinal. One thing is for sure those body mods are not. Do you have any info on where and when that was done? That might be the interesting part of this story

 

The spoiler and exhaust are definitely not stock. The tailpipes look like the stock ones on my '79. The valance has definitely been reworked.
Hard to tell from the picture but the alarm key should be back there above license plate. How 'bout more pictures?

Mike

 

The beauty rings are definitely '67s...so the wheels might be, also. The caps are '68-7? (72's, at least). Worth keeping...if only to sell to a 'needy' C2 owner.

 

They're not original 67 trim rings. 67 rings have a football shaped openning for the valve stems, not the rectangular holes with the rounded ends found on later rings and those in the picture. The center caps are 68-82 Corvette (and were also used on Camaros, El Caminos, Impalas, etc. between 68 & 77).

They appear to be 6" wide wheels. 7" and 8" rims both use the same, deep rings seen in the picture posted by 71LS1Vette. They could also be the 7" rally rims used on 73-77 Chevelles, Monte Carlos & El Caminos. These wheels have a deeper rear & shallower front offset than the Vette wheel, and use the same, narrower trim ring used with 6" rims, not the deep ones found on Vette 7" & 8" rims.

Passenger car rims will work sometimes, but the tab for the parking brake cable on the trailing arms gets very close to the rim & tire.

 

Hi C,
I'll post a couple of pictures of a naked body.
You'll see the front fender crack is at a bonding strip but not the one on the rear deck.
Your car looks like it has POTENTIAL!!!!
Regards,
Alan