[Z06] Z06 Wheel differences?
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: TEXAS
Z06 Wheel differences?
Ok this is something I have noticed lately. I know they changed from a cast to a spun cast wheel in '02 or '03. But what all have they changed with the wheels over the last couple years. I have noticed a wide range of colors on these wheels....all of them factory. Some are darker, some are almost natural alum in color. My friend's '02 EB has fairly light colored wheels and my dad's '03 Mill.Yellow has an almost dark grey colored wheel. Did they just change clear coats to 'smoke' the color depending on the color of the car or is it a year thing? Just wondering.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: ABQ NM
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Re: Z06 Wheel differences? (1LEThumper)
Actually, GM went from a forged wheel ('01) to a spun cast wheel ('02+). Paint was darker in '01 than '02; I was under the impression the paint code remained the same in '03 (as '02), but I really don't know. Sure you weren't seeing brake dust on your dad's rim :D ?
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From: TEXAS
Re: Z06 Wheel differences? (wamara)
Since both cars were side by side and both clean. I'm positive it wasn't brake dust :rolleyes:
All that I knew was that they had changed the way they make them but it still looks like (even off the car) that they are different colors between what color of car or year.
All that I knew was that they had changed the way they make them but it still looks like (even off the car) that they are different colors between what color of car or year.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
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Re: Z06 Wheel differences? (1LEThumper)
Interesting.
The overwhelming majority of '01 wheels from the factory are considerably darker than later years, just as you describe your father's wheels. I'm not saying all of them were, but that was the color spec, and it's different from the lighter later years.
Did he purchase the car new, or might they have been swapped by a previous owner who preferred the darker look? Or is there another way the wheels might have been exchanged?
There was a thread on other ways to tell the '01's apart, but I can't find it now. As I recall, some of the spoke edges were sharper where later versions were more rounded. There were also stamps, but like I say, I don't recall the details. Someone else will.
Basically, there appears to be some minor color variation in the '02 and '03 wheels, but they've all been significantly lighter than the '01's. The colors aren't really confusable.
The overwhelming majority of '01 wheels from the factory are considerably darker than later years, just as you describe your father's wheels. I'm not saying all of them were, but that was the color spec, and it's different from the lighter later years.
Did he purchase the car new, or might they have been swapped by a previous owner who preferred the darker look? Or is there another way the wheels might have been exchanged?
There was a thread on other ways to tell the '01's apart, but I can't find it now. As I recall, some of the spoke edges were sharper where later versions were more rounded. There were also stamps, but like I say, I don't recall the details. Someone else will.
Basically, there appears to be some minor color variation in the '02 and '03 wheels, but they've all been significantly lighter than the '01's. The colors aren't really confusable.
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From: TEXAS
Re: Z06 Wheel differences? (rwd)
Dad got his brand new, hell it still had all the plastic on it.
One of the other reasons I asked was that my friend and his dad AutoX their Vettes and they have 3 sets of OEM Z06 wheels and ever one is a different color. Just found that kinda odd, especialy when they do not make mention of it in any of the parts catalogs.
One of the other reasons I asked was that my friend and his dad AutoX their Vettes and they have 3 sets of OEM Z06 wheels and ever one is a different color. Just found that kinda odd, especialy when they do not make mention of it in any of the parts catalogs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 998
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From: Lafayette Indiana
Re: Z06 Wheel differences? (1LEThumper)
Well looks like we are not the only ones wondering what GM's been doing with these wheels.
Rather odd..
My guess is that certain colors got darker wheels and others got lighter.
Mine are very light silver and all the yellow Z's i've seen are very dark.
Rather odd..
My guess is that certain colors got darker wheels and others got lighter.
Mine are very light silver and all the yellow Z's i've seen are very dark.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,242
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Re: Z06 Wheel differences? (1LEThumper)
Dad got his brand new, hell it still had all the plastic on it.
That doesn't mean the wheels weren't switched. I'd suggest verifying the wheels are '03's by the means mentioned. Stranger things have happened. There are some other possibilities, but I won't comment without seeing the wheels.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
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From: Melbourne FL
Re: Z06 Wheel differences? (rwd)
I will just post a little bit of what I have experienced. I have an '02 MY Z. The dealer had to replace my wheels since they damaged them during an alignment. What they did is take a set of an '03 car they had on the showroom to replace mine. I noticed no diffence between the color of the two. The two sets were not side by side but, I noticed no visual change in the color between the two. Now I am not sure what color Z this set was taken off of but, I am pretty sure it wasn't a MY since there are only about 3 in my area. I have yet to see one on showroom here and have two GM dealerships within 10 miles.
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