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traded in my stingray for a 2016 z06 (laguna blue) that came with chrome wheels. was considering switching to black but they've grown on me. Still not sure which I like better but I see vettes with black wheels (especially white, red, silver) and they look great. Then I see white and red with chrome and they look good too. Not sure it has to be either or where one looks great and the other looks like crap
Maybe it is an age thing, I'm closer to your dad's age than your age. I passed on a few good deals because they had black wheels. I wanted Admiral Blue and liked the stock pearl wheels best. I also prefer the stingray with the chrome piece in the grill.
I am amazed with all the different wheel options. When I ordered my C-5 in 2000, there were 2 options, stock aluminum and upgraded chrome polished, preferred the aluminum then too.
The nice thing is, there's something for everyone's taste, lots of variety with C-7s. I do wish there was something in between the 455/460hp and the Z-06 650hp. I'd like a little more power, but still street manageable.
I have the pos plain silver paint wheels (that requires two stage paint as it's pearl) and I love them. Had black chrome cups on my C6 wouldn't do that again unless it's extremely darker than prior versions.
gloss black is just on so many sports cars now and like EVERY VETTE I SEE.. "oh look, red black white vette with black wheels.." it's like the old "me too" mustangs...
It's all personal preference anyway funny discussion..
one more thing, when you have a lot of angles corners or shapes, the silver and chrome wheels show them best. Black they blend too easy imo.
Shape and design falls into a black hole becaise of the black finish. even with polished lip which does give separation though (at least). Thats a closeup on the car ir becomes a black blob outside of direct sunlight or headlights. Vs same wheel in pearl silver nickel.
I have always liked the basic silver painted wheels. Had them on my 2004 Z06, 2011 Camaro, 2014 Stingray, and would get them on a GS if I trade for one. Chrome too much for show, black does not shoe wheel detail and blends into the tire. Silver makes car look more like a serious competitor.
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Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Sep 18, 2017 at 10:23 PM.
Maybe it is an age thing, I'm closer to your dad's age than your age. I passed on a few good deals because they had black wheels. I wanted Admiral Blue and liked the stock pearl wheels best. I also prefer the stingray with the chrome piece in the grill.
I am amazed with all the different wheel options. When I ordered my C-5 in 2000, there were 2 options, stock aluminum and upgraded chrome polished, preferred the aluminum then too.
The nice thing is, there's something for everyone's taste, lots of variety with C-7s. I do wish there was something in between the 455/460hp and the Z-06 650hp. I'd like a little more power, but still street manageable.
Gotta love the 97-99. No wheel options and those beautiful painted wagon wheels as standard equipment. Now we have choices. BTW in 2000 the optional wheels were polished clear coated aluminum not chrome polished.
Gotta love the 97-99. No wheel options and those beautiful painted wagon wheels as standard equipment. Now we have choices. BTW in 2000 the optional wheels were polished clear coated aluminum not chrome polished.
There is another wheel option on the 97 to 99 you are forgetting about. The magnesium export wheel (which could be ordered on cars in North America also)
Depends on the car color. Sometimes I like black and sometimes I like pearl nickle. I was torn on mine, but went with black.
Chrome belongs on Semis and Harleys. I can't think of any other sports car that has chrome as an option.
Bare aluminum just looks unfinished
Black with machined face looks... silly and just has too much going on
Black with the color rings (like my car came with) is okay, I guess. I painted mine gloss black. Much better.
My track wheels are going to change after each seat of tires (plastidip). Baby/turquoise blue is the first round. Next round will probably be yellow or something equally obnoxious.
Last edited by village idiot; Sep 19, 2017 at 01:36 PM.
You have nickle-painted aluminum that would typically be associated with lower end cars, chrome aluminum which has been adorning fine cars forever it seems, however the younger crowd just aren't having it, then there's the black painted wheels which seem to be the craze as of late but who knows how long they will stay in favor and machine-faced aluminum.
Note: I was actually including a poll, however it only gives you 5-minutes to complete the poll before it times you out without one.
Chrome wheels on sports cars is a US phenomenon resulting from the classic car days. It seems out of place on modern cars, but I imagine most Corvette owners like them. Of note, very seldom will you see new Porsches, Ferraris, BMWs with chrome wheels or accents. Many are also not fans of the chrome "retainer" on Stingrays; it's not just the wheels. IMHO, machine-faced is the elegant solution while black wheels are for the racing enthusiasts.
Chrome wheels on sports cars is a US phenomenon resulting from the classic car days. It seems out of place on modern cars, but I imagine most Corvette owners like them. Of note, very seldom will you see new Porsches, Ferraris, BMWs with chrome wheels or accents. Many are also not fans of the chrome "retainer" on Stingrays; it's not just the wheels. IMHO, machine-faced is the elegant solution while black wheels are for the racing enthusiasts.
Back in the day--again older vs younger members, Borrani Wire Wheels--chrome, were what you saw on the Ferraris, Lambos, Maseratis, etc. Muscle Car era in the US--chrome Crager/American Mags, or Torque Thrusts, which were grayish and my favorite. All depends on your perspective, and maybe what you grew up with.
The Chrome's are the only ones that can't be changed easily and readily by powdercoating. Even if you don't want to spend on expensive wheels a powdercoater can get you any custom color you want quite easily.
My favorite oem finish is the pearl nickel. My favorite wide body OEM design is the Ten Blade or the 17 GS wheels.
I offed my black Z06 wheels early. Not so much because of the color but because of their weight and complexity when it came to getting them clean (prior to my changing to ceramic brake pads to lower the dust.)
My favorite aftermarket finish is called different things but is a grey smoky finish. Easily available by powdercoating.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
