CUP Wheels
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Ohio
CUP Wheels
I have searched and searched this with no answer. Can anyone tell me why the wheels on the Z06 and 427 are called "Cup" wheels? What is this in reference too? They don't appear any more cupped than any other wheel. Could this be in reference to Nascar Sprint Cup in some way? I don't get that if so as the Nascar Cup cars do not have wheels that resemble these wheels at all. Help if you can!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
I have searched and searched this with no answer. Can anyone tell me why the wheels on the Z06 and 427 are called "Cup" wheels? What is this in reference too? They don't appear any more cupped than any other wheel. Could this be in reference to Nascar Sprint Cup in some way? I don't get that if so as the Nascar Cup cars do not have wheels that resemble these wheels at all. Help if you can!
I've also wondered about this.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 42
old term used for set of wheels that were first used in special racing events..,my 2 cents
"Some people think that the wheels got the name from their doomed
appearance. However, their name is actually from the very successful
Porsche Carrera Cup Racing Series in which the wheels were first
used. The Cup Racing Series was held in conjunction with many
Formula 1 Grand Series in the mid-nineties."
"Some people think that the wheels got the name from their doomed
appearance. However, their name is actually from the very successful
Porsche Carrera Cup Racing Series in which the wheels were first
used. The Cup Racing Series was held in conjunction with many
Formula 1 Grand Series in the mid-nineties."
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Ohio
old term used for set of wheels that were first used in special racing events..,my 2 cents
"Some people think that the wheels got the name from their doomed
appearance. However, their name is actually from the very successful
Porsche Carrera Cup Racing Series in which the wheels were first
used. The Cup Racing Series was held in conjunction with many
Formula 1 Grand Series in the mid-nineties."
"Some people think that the wheels got the name from their doomed
appearance. However, their name is actually from the very successful
Porsche Carrera Cup Racing Series in which the wheels were first
used. The Cup Racing Series was held in conjunction with many
Formula 1 Grand Series in the mid-nineties."
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 3
I dont know but the design resembles a trophy cup to me.
Imagine if you took a trophy cup and cut it down the middle (top to bottem) the outline of the cup half would give you what you see on the wheel.
With the cup mouth at the outter wheel edge and the stem at the hub.
Again, this is what I see.
Imagine if you took a trophy cup and cut it down the middle (top to bottem) the outline of the cup half would give you what you see on the wheel.
With the cup mouth at the outter wheel edge and the stem at the hub.
Again, this is what I see.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 42
i first thought it was named after the shape bc back in the day i remember the diff wheels acronyms Porsche had - cookie cutter, phone dial, etc.... It did seem that it was named after its shape.. but then i also remember this term back in the 90's when i had a Porsche, eeeverybody wanted the so called "CUP" wheels. they looked cool, they were different, lightweight and had the racing "pedigree" to back it up. So i checked online about Porsche CUP wheels and traced it back to that era. So it might have a connection to what GM did with these...some sort of racing program. IDK
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville Virginia
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Ohio
Thanks for all the replies. I like the idea it may be the shape of the spokes looking like a trophy cup. Makes as much sense as anything else. I wouldn't think GM would purposely make a connection to Porsche, but again, could be. Also, the idea that it meant the "Cup" tires is good as any also, but they call them "cup" wheels regardless of the tire they mount, so not sure. Regardless, I'm sure the answer is in there somewhere but perhaps never known.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: OH
Thanks for all the replies. I like the idea it may be the shape of the spokes looking like a trophy cup. Makes as much sense as anything else. I wouldn't think GM would purposely make a connection to Porsche, but again, could be. Also, the idea that it meant the "Cup" tires is good as any also, but they call them "cup" wheels regardless of the tire they mount, so not sure. Regardless, I'm sure the answer is in there somewhere but perhaps never known.