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I still have my original wagon wheels that are in mint condition, and keep thinking that I should try stripping the silver off them and then polishing them like I did with my thin spokes. I think that would look better than having them chrome plated, seen too many with peeling chrome in the corners. Probably should find one to practice on first in case it doesn't work out.
I owned a 1997. The "wagon wheels" on that car did just fine.
They are solid, even at the rev limiter in 5th gear which is as fast as that car goes; about 175, I'm told. (Talladega, April, 2004)
I wouldn't put them on my 2003 AE coupe but if I was restoring a '97-'99 I would definitely need a set.
According to at least one "top speed" website, the top speed of a stock C5 Corvette coupe is 182, and the top speed of the FRC is 176 (the aerodynamics of the FRC's roof limits it top speed versus the coupe). I haven't found any info regarding the top speed of the convertible.
Had wagon wheels on my '99 when I bought it a year ago. Found a set of thin socks on CL for $160. Sold the wagon wheels with tpms sensors and marginal tires for $150 to a friend who needed wheels and tires for his Firebird.
Changed my car from this:
The silver ones are boring looking, but in chrome I think they look nice, but I've decided to go with a set of the chrome C6 base wheels as there are more tire choices available in the this size...
I have the originals on my 98. Maybe not the best looking wheel in the world, but is not prone to cracking and has been trouble free. I have a hard time believing that the many cheap Chinese cast wheels I've seen advertised are any where near the quality of OEM wheels.
I used to hate my wagon wheels when I first got the car. But they have grown on me. That being said I think they only look good in chrome.
I don't care what anyone else says, I think the chrome WWs look sharp! I just wish they were available in 18" for the front, and 19" for rears as there are a lot more tires available in these sizes...
I have the originals on my 98. Maybe not the best looking wheel in the world, but is not prone to cracking and has been trouble free. I have a hard time believing that the many cheap Chinese cast wheels I've seen advertised are any where near the quality of OEM wheels.
They are not anywhere near the strength or quality. But looks rule in Corvette land.
I only changed mine to stop the car looking it's age - 22 years old now. If only it was this easy with us humans - a new pair of shoes and my hair would not be grey any more...
Last edited by jackthelad; Jun 3, 2019 at 08:24 PM.
Not a big fan of the Wagon wheels, but a few years back I imported a few C5's into Canada to sell when the Canadian $ near par. One of them was 99 Vert from California with the chrome wagon wheels, I thought they looked pretty good on the black.
They are a very well built wheel. They actually look really good on C4 corvettes, especially 84-90 models. They work really good with the lines of the car. I think the issue with them on the C5 was the wheels are blocky but the car is anything but. I still have them on my 1998 because it's a pace car and I think the ludicrous yellow wheels is part of the look.
Don’t like them at all in any finish. Dates the car and looks way chunky. Like the thin spokes. Would change them out if not for being champagne for the AE 03.. and trying to stay somewhat oem stock.
They are a very well built wheel. They actually look really good on C4 corvettes, especially 84-90 models. They work really good with the lines of the car. I think the issue with them on the C5 was the wheels are blocky but the car is anything but. I still have them on my 1998 because it's a pace car and I think the ludicrous yellow wheels is part of the look.
I could definitely see them working on a C4. I wonder if they were originally designed for the C4, not used, and they just decided to carry it forward. haha
Mine are powder coated black with a blue trim ring to kind of match Nassau Blue. They do the job for me and they have no physical damage, so I see no need to replace them.
I wouldn't run the later thin spokes on my car simply because of all the stories of unseen cracks. In that respect I believe WWs are much stronger and any failures that do come up are usually blue moon-ish.
I mean myself I don't think they're THAT ugly. People seem to forget that wheel styles change just like any other style. I'll admit they do date the car, but people seem to forget about the generation prior having what look like literally salad slicers as wheels.
I still have my original wagon wheels that are in mint condition, and keep thinking that I should try stripping the silver off them and then polishing them like I did with my thin spokes. I think that would look better than having them chrome plated, seen too many with peeling chrome in the corners. Probably should find one to practice on first in case it doesn't work out.
I started to do this with a set of motorcycle wheels. They had basically the same color and finish as the silver wagon wheels. I got as far as stripping off the OEM finish and called it quits and had them chromed. It was just too much work to polish them, and even if I had completed the process, keeping polished wheels looking nice also takes a lot of work, unless they are clear coated when you're done polishing them. I do like the look of polished aluminum though, very classy looking!
I almost bought a C4 just for the sawblades....I wish they would exist in C5 compatible sizes....