Z06 OEM wheels
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2023
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From: Washington DC
Z06 OEM wheels
Were all the Z06 chrome wheels dealer add-ons or did some come from the factory? I'm looking at a garage kept C5Z w/30k miles and the chrome wheels are peeling. Also the center caps are plain and do not have the Corvette flags. The owner says it's all original.
i dislike the chrome and am wondering if new OEM Z06 wheels and center caps are still sold? Or is there a paint code that matches the OEM finish?
i dislike the chrome and am wondering if new OEM Z06 wheels and center caps are still sold? Or is there a paint code that matches the OEM finish?
Last edited by XXXX; Jun 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM.
Advanced
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I don't believe any C5 z06s came with chrome wheels from the factory. The commemorative edition 04 z06 had polished aluminum wheels which does look close to chrome in certain angles.
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Some dealers sent some of those wheels out for chroming but GM never offered them, as an option.
It's also possible your wheels are chrome reproductions.
It's also possible your wheels are chrome reproductions.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
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Le Mans Commemorative editions were chrome wheels.
But, definitely sounds like the car the OP is looking at has aftermarket wheels of some kind.
Also, all 2003 Z06's were anniversary for the year model, but were not ever offered as anniversary edition option cars.
But, definitely sounds like the car the OP is looking at has aftermarket wheels of some kind.
Also, all 2003 Z06's were anniversary for the year model, but were not ever offered as anniversary edition option cars.
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The top two photos are very reminiscent of my reproduction wheels (long gone). To my knowledge, the only wat to ascertain for certain is to inspect the reverse of the wheel for markings of "GM" and appropriate part numbers. On Speedline wheels (factory polished, and possibly chromed by a dealer) the numbers and markings are on the spokes, near the rim, and could be found with an inspection mirror -- I am not certain of markings on painted wheels.
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No, they were not chrome. They had a polished and clear coated finish on the wheel.
Pro
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As mentioned several times above, no C5 Z06 left the factory with chrome wheels. The 04 Commemorative were polished and looked similar to chrome, but center caps had the logo. These appear almost certainly an aftermarket reproduction. Although not impossible to have a set of oe speedline or alcoa's stipped and chromed, the cost would have exceeded that of aftermarket options and I would venture to bet this was only done on a very select number of original rims. I would bet nearly everything I have on these being aftermarket. From what I understand the aftermarket wheels are significantly heavier than the OE Z wheels and often are in the base C5 wheel dimensions. I would kick these wheels to the curb and replace with a set of oe Z wheels in the proper grey if I were you. The grey just fits the "ethos" of the Z06 far better anyway.
I do believe some dealers were swapping aftermarket chrome wheels after delivery back when the cars were new and likely never giving the first buyers the originals. This is not an uncommon practice at dealers still today.
I do believe some dealers were swapping aftermarket chrome wheels after delivery back when the cars were new and likely never giving the first buyers the originals. This is not an uncommon practice at dealers still today.
Last edited by Tyler_RN_EMT; Jun 23, 2025 at 05:32 PM.