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We just ordered our 2019 2LT Convertible, White/Red/Black Top/Exhaust/Auto. With CHROME wheels. Our car is a cruiser, not a racer.
(460 HP? I've never put the pedal down all the way in our 345 HP C5!)
Our present pristine 2000 C5 Convertible (Torch Red/Oak) has polished aluminum factory wheels. If I had a preference for the new one, I'd have the polished aluminum wheels, not the more "blingy" chrome. But the silver painted stocks didn't "pop" and black was too "macho" for the theme we were going for. I'm 70 and a nice set of chrome/reversed steel wheels with Baby Moons would look good on the car too. (Really kidding, just showing my memories and age...) Bob
I have never been a fan of blue cars or black wheels, until I saw mine. I just think black wheels look better on some colors than others. As for brake dust, contrary to what others have said, my black wheels were filthy after 5 minutes of driving so at 300 miles I switched to Powerstops....no dust whatsoever. I also added red seat covers to my 2LT and a few other red accessories.
However, if I had to do it all over again I'd probably go with Black Chrome on my 17 AB GS. Now there's a compromise.....LOL
Have a great day everyone. Enjoy whatever colors and wheels you chose. They are all beautiful to me. Now I have to think about what color C8 I plan to buy and how much my divorce will cost me..... :-)
To me it's not black vs chrome vs gold vs painted aluminum.....it's all about what you think looks best on a particular vehicle, given the choices available to you.
To my taste, on C7 'Vettes, some colors look really good with black wheels, and others look great with chrome or silver. Also, what look is the owner trying to achieve? I see chrome as more parade pony material and black as more purposeful-looking. Just my take, YMMV.
As to the origins of black wheels, I can remember back even in the 50's and 60's most of the old-school hot rod modders were using black steel wheels (sometimes with a chrome center cap), probably because that's all there was; chrome wheels weren't all that common until the 60s and 70s. And for some reason racing and black wheels forms a connection in my mind. Anyway, these things come and go in cycles.
I had a silver 350z Nismo years ago and loved those gun metal grey wheels. The last 3 Corvette I've had came with chrome wheels. This time around I went with Black wheels on my Grand sport and couldn't be happier.
Last edited by LeManscoupe05; 10-15-2018 at 01:53 AM.
As everyone has stated that it's personal choice, but that was not the question. How did they become popular ? I have 2 thoughts on this. The younger people needed a way to rebel (be different) not by like dad or grandpa. I think it was Shaquille O'Neal that years ago on one of his first cars had black rims on it so it became hip / gangster !!! The aggressive look is beyond me ??? looks like you had 4 flats and have not made it to discount tire yet. But what would the world be if we all liked the same things ???
In my opinion they are popular because they are different. I find they look more aggressive and play much better with the popular colors of today's cars.
I much prefer dark gunmetal or platinum (in Porsche speak) to black, as I agree that some wheels get lost with the tires in the wheel wells. My old 370Z was gunmetal and I had the rims painted 40th Anniversary gray (hint of purple) to differentiate from the body color.
My Nismo 370z and I beg to differ, Lol Black or dark colored wheels do nothing to enhance the car in my opinion, but to each his own.
I love chrome wheels on a black car. I hate chrome wheels on a white or silver car.
Continuity
An orange car with Carbon Flash accents looks great with Carbon fFash wheels....... chrome is out of scheme.
I agree with the underlying thought that the base color of the vehicle is the determining factor if a certain color wheel looks attractive or not. My C-5 was Electron Blue and came with chrome thin spoke factory wheels and I was very fond of that combination. My 16 Z-51 is Laguna Blue and came with the painted silver wheels and I was on an immediate hunt to find some chrome Z-51 take off's being sold. Didn't have to wait long and found some locally that were being sold off a white car as the owner wanted black wheels. I took my silver wheels to a local powder coater and had them done in gloss black. I also sold those locally to a member and was able to move up to chrome for less than $ 500.00. In my eyes, the black looks great on white, yellow, and red vehicles, others not so much. As previously mentioned, beauty is all ways in the eye of the beholder.
it's your car, it's your choice. We all have our opinions . . . mine is that black wheels make the car look like a beater taxicab. They look AWFUL. So just be aware that because you think they're "cool" or "distinctive" . . . other folks think you've intentionally ruined the looks of your car and question both your taste and your sanity. It all comes down to this: How much do you care what anyone else thinks? That's why GM offers so many different choices. Drive what you like.
I have gloss black wheels. Despise them. No chrome either. I love machine faced, dark gray, silver, certain bronze/gold finishes and polished aluminum.
10-14-2018, 10:21 AM
Heres the formula: Chrome if you’re in AARP or if the car color is lighter or equal to plum rose. Black wheels for everybody else
Black or dark colored wheels do nothing to enhance the car in my opinion, but to each his own.
