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Is wagon wheels technically bad?

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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 02:03 AM
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Default Is wagon wheels technically bad?

Hello,
i read everywhere that people have been discarding their wagon wheel because they are ugly. Ok, each one their taste, not to be discussed .

I would like to know if they have flaws from a technical point of view compared to the any other corvette wheels? What do you say?
thank you for your insights.
TCFS

Last edited by TCFS; Jun 2, 2019 at 02:04 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 08:02 AM
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No, and they aren't that 'ugly', they just date the car as an early C0-5,
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 08:44 AM
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I saw a set for $125, was tempted just to have the original wheels in the attic.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 09:26 AM
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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.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 09:36 AM
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Technically, they are well made wheels. Probably better made and stronger than a good percentage of the aftermarket wheels out there.

And unlike the factory thin spoke wheels that followed them, they are not given to cracking.

I replaced mine with a different style about 7 years ago now, but have the wagons in the garage. Who knows, if I ever sell the car someone might want to make it original. Interestingly, when I took the wagons off, the original TPMS sensors were still working fine at 15 years old.

Last edited by jackthelad; Jun 2, 2019 at 09:41 AM.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 10:18 AM
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Note that I found a set to which I will mount summer tires set... and I do like them esthetically .
but I am just wondering if there is any technical flaws.
TCFS
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 10:39 AM
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They're technically ugly; I'm pretty sure that's the only thing wrong with them. The thick, chunky, and fairly geometric styling doesn't suit slim and sleek look of the C5 at all. They'd look pretty good on an SUV though.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by jrp1588
They're technically ugly.[…]
is this possible?
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 10:44 AM
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For aesthetics, you can get them powder coated, satin black wouldn't look bad depending on cars color.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 10:50 AM
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They are so ugly I turned down a set that was "for free". I told him I don't own a boat so I don't need anchors
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by knewblewkorvette
They are so ugly I turned down a set that was "for free". I told him I don't own a boat so I don't need anchors
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by TCFS
is this possible?
There are absolutely technical rules of aesthetics, of which the wagon wheels violate several. Lol
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 11:56 AM
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I gave them in my basement. I had them on the car for 16 years. They are not bad when the are chromed. My are and are in mint condition
Did a trade in program with slp. Great quality...and they are pretty light wheels themselves. Run flats made them very heavy
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 12:16 PM
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I have chrome wagons on my black '99 vert. I think they come off much better in chrome than the original silver tone. At 20 years old they have held up well and given no problems/issues. There are lots of C5 folks that would rather stick needles in their eyes than run a set of wagons. I have contemplated a change from time to time but they seem to stay on the car. Just me but I haven't seen anything that appeals to me.enough to make the change.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 12:22 PM
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I kinda like em, threw 200TW Federal RS-RR's on a set I got for $100.

Good for cheap rubber and gives you a lot of options as far as tire.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 01:20 PM
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I have my original set in storage shed, and run a chromed set, I think they look good and correct on my car, since it's a 1999.

Never had any issues, however the plain wagon wheels I wasn't that happy with, wanted chrome wheels.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 01:58 PM
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The wagon wheels did not have any technical flaws that I know of. A lot of owners did not care for the styling, but honestly a set of chrome wagon wheels really do look pretty good on the car.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 02:20 PM
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I had them on my 98 less than 2 years. Ugly, but a good sound wheel.
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 02:29 PM
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Definitely less prone to damage than the thin spikes that replaced them.

I actually dont hate the way they look either. If I had a second set of winter tires I might go looking for some wagon wheels to put them on.
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Old Jun 3, 2019 | 12:07 AM
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I guess I am the only one to have had a problem with my chromed wagon wheels on my 98 Vette. One of them cracked. Instead of buying one new one to match the others, I bought 4 C6 ZO6 reproductions in chrome. That was about 10 years ago. So far so good.
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