C3 (1968) Trim Rings...Unique???

[Henry J.]

A recent post on this board indicated that trim rings for 8" wheels differ from trim rings for 7" wheels. I now understand that, when placed face down on a flat surface, the trim rings for 8" wheels are deeper than those for 7" wheels.

Are the trim rings for 1968 AG wheels unique? If so, how can they be identified?

Thank you.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 (1968) Trim Rings...Unique???

Henry-----

I believe that the recent discussion of the trim rings involved the difference between the 1967 trim rings used with the 6" wide 67 rally wheels.

In any event, the 1968 trim rings were decidedly NOT unique. The original 1968 trim rings were GM #3923626. This is the same part number as used for all 1969 through 1982 Corvette rally wheels and it's still available to this very day under that same part number.

It's possible that certain minor changes to the trim rings may have occurred over the years.

By the way, in case there are any eagle-eyed folks out there that think that the PRODUCTION trim rings were different due to a different part number, you're right only about the fact that the PRODUCTION trim rings were, indeed, a different part number but they were EXACTLY the same piece as SERVICE. Here's why: in PRODUCTION the trim rings were known as GM #3923625. However, this was the part number for a PACKAGED SET OF FOUR of the GM #3923696 trim rings. In PRODUCTION, the packaged set of four was supplied in the rear compartment of the car for installation by the dealer. NO 1968-82 Corvette was originally supplied with FACTORY-INSTALLED trim rings. The GM #3923695 packaged set of four was never available in SERVICE, however.

[Dave S.]

Re: C3 (1968) Trim Rings...Unique???

Joe,
I believe there is a slight difference between assembly line trim rings and service replacements. They appear exactly the same at first but upon close examination the 4 clips on the assembly line trim ring all align the same. On "all" the trim rings the 4 clips are 90 degrees to each other but on the assembly line rings there is always a clip at the valve stem hole. I've seen lots of older and more recent service trim rings where the clips are installed "at random". This idea makes sense to me as the original installer knew exactly where to "hit" the clips. In service that requirement was dropped. Many service trim rings out there have been altered to put a clip at the valve stem hole, but they are quite detectable.

[Paul B.]

One left with trim rings on...???

Well Joe, there was at least ONE '68-'82 that left the factory with trim rings installed. That very popular photo of the LAST '75 Corvette convertible being driven out of the plant clearly has them on. But you're right, every other '75 in the photo does not have trim rings on. OR maybe because it was going to that Chevrolet dealership across the road that got that car, they installed them.

[Henry J.]

Thank you, gentlemen! *NM*