I'm still plugging away on my winter Corvette project and now need to locate a place to purchase new/used 8" wheels (complete with caps and beauty rings) for a 1972 Corvette. Also looking for an outfit that sells or restores steering columns for the same car. Thanks for any help offered!!!!
-
-
Re: good place to find 72 Corvette wheels/steering
Bruce----
Depending upon whether, or not, you want exact original wheels with "correct" numbers and dates there are several options. If you do want the aforementioned, then you'll have to look in the Driveline, eBay, or elsewhere for good used wheels. I don't recomnmend this unless you have a "trailer queen". "Good used" wheels are not always "good"; they may have problems which are not apparent and will cause you much grief later.
A much better plan is to buy NEW wheels. You can get these from Hayes Wheel dealers. The Hayes wheel part number is 81982.
Another option is purchasing them from GM. They're GM #327708. These are the same as above except that they MAY have a "GM" stamping on them AND they cost a lot more than through Hayes dealers.
For the caps and beauty rims, if you want exact (or, nearly so) configuration, then you need the GM pieces. These are still available from GM, too. The wheel caps are GM #3925801. The trim rings are GM #3923626. These are expensive pieces, even at discounted GM prices, but they are very high quality and virtually the same as the originals.
Another option for the trim rings and caps is to seek out good used ones. There are LOTS of these to be found at swap meets, The Driveline ads, and eBay. They'll be in various conditions, of course, and what you pay will likely be reflected in the condition of the piece. Don't pay more than new GM examples, though. In this case, and in my opinion, NEW GM is better than used original, even considering that there may be some nuance of difference in the used originals.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Addendum
Also, for the steering column, try Corvette Steering Service at www.corvettesteering.com They're probably the best source out there for this very specialized service and they often have the necessary parts when no one else does.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: good place to find 72 Corvette wheels/steering
Thank you so much Joe. Your post has really helped me. I'll call Hayes tomorrow. Also, thanks to NCRS for this great site and service.
BruceComment
-
Re: Addendum
Thanks again Joe - I'm heading over to their site right now!!!Comment
-
Re: Addendum
Bruce----
Good thing you have a 1972; they won't rebuild 68 and older columns. They've had too many problems with those, so they won't do them anymore. Makes you wonder, too; if steering column experts with years of experience won't get involved with the 68 and older columns for any price, I wonder what chance that an amateur restorer would have?In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: Addendum
Joe, I've taken this car apart - to the last nut and bolt. I plan to do just about every bit of the work except for the steering column and paint. I know better that to try rebuilding a steering column. I've had a few of them apart for minor repairs but nothing major. It's a tilt at that! Take care. BruceComment
-
Re: Addendum
Hi Joe,
I called Tom at Corvette Steering and got the ball rolling with them. They charge $325.00 for a complete rebuild, except paint. Tom said it would be tighter and better than new. Also called a Hayes dealer in Pa. and got a price of $52.00 a piece for the wheels (trim kit will have to come aftermarket) and will probably go that route. I tried for an original set of 5 wheels, rims and center caps last night on ebay. I stopped at $495.00 and they went for $500.00. I plan to race this car and would like it to be as close as possible but I think I can get along with aftermarket OK. Besides you never know if 30+ year old wheels are straight until you get them on a spin balancer. Good luck and thanks for everything!!!!!!Comment
Comment