I bought the ZR-1 replicas from AFS in CA, as I didn't want to pay $120 shipping from FL to IN. Only cost $80 from CA to IN.


OE will charge the shipping from what I have heard, even if you pick them up. AFS doesn't do that, if you pick them up, no shipping charge. Either way you will have new wheels. I still have mine stored with the new BFG's on them, just waitin' for Spring.

 

Even 245 series tires will work up front - they were on mine when I got it. I now have 255s up front and 275s in back. I'm getting new wheels, though, when it comes time for new tires, and I want to be able to rotate, so I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and go with 18x11s all around... Yikes!

 

This subject is near & dear to my heart. I also called on AFS and OE recently. Thru this board, I found that (if) you are going w/ 11's in the rear, there is a difference between the "original' GM wheel and the "aftermarket" wheels.

The difference is mostly in the center of the wheel. The best way I can describe it is the center cap/lug nut area. This area is recessed deeper on the 11's than the 9-1/2. About 1"-1-1/2" deeper. Also, the edges of the 5 spokes are "rounder".

As it turns out, there is a guy at CWS Factory Reproductions. They make the "correct" reproduction (and are the only one), and also can get you actual GM wheels that were traded in from people who want chrome wheels. (They swap you w/ a core charge.) What I just ordered is a set of actual GM's GS wheels that have been stripped of the black, polished and triple chromed.

Now the cost....almost $1,600 (no tires), shipped to my door.

I know it is better than 2x the OE price, but I want the original look. My opinion is that if you know what you are looking at, you will spot the reproductions 50ft away. Note, that is only about 5% of the corvette lovers, but I will know. Also, they are lighter.....10lbs as mentioned above, I doubt it. I was told by different suppliers it is more like 1-2lbs.

I am not saying the the OE wheels are bad or anything, it is a matter of personal choice....Your Money....Your Choice. I don't think you will be sorry either way.

 

I ordered them today, will pick them up on Monday (gave me a good reason to not work on my B-day ). They charged me $65 "handling fee" but it still works out better. For once I'm actually looking forward to a monday

 

Post some pics when you swap them Bra!

 

A $65 handling fee isn't so bad. That still makes the wheels pretty cheap, what a little over $400? Do you have to pay sales tax beings you're a resident though?