Rally Wheels: same wheels, different codes?

[John Rohe]

Gents,

I was looking through the "wheel" section of Alan Colvin's "By the Numbers" book while investigating the potential purchase of a set of rally wheels for my '67. I knew I wanted "DC" coded wheels and was examining the "stats" for these rally wheels (which were also available as a disc-brake wagon rally for '67 - '69).

What I found interesting was that the "DC" rally wheel was replaced in '69 by the "YS" rally wheel - which SEEMS to have the exact dimensions, offset, center hole, rim inner diameter, etc... as the "DC" rally wheel. In '69 they also introduced the "FI" rally wheel which also SEEMS to have the exact dimensions as the "DC" rally wheel. If you pull out your copy of "By the Numbers" you will see what I mean. FYI, the "YS" and "FI" rallys were also used in 1970.

I realize that the "DC" wheel is the only one that is truly correct for my car, but (since I have a "driver") I don't think I would mind having the EXACT SAME rally for a lesser price (just without the "DC") IF IT TRULY IS THE EXACT SAME WHEEL with just a different code. I can't imagine, however, that The General would change wheel codes just for the hell of it, or for that matter, offer two identical wheels in '69 and '70 with different codes.

Does anyone know if these wheels truly are "the same" except for the codes?

If they are, why would GM bother to do this? Did they intend to drive #'s crazy restorers insane in future years?

Thanks for "listening" and for any useful insights. John R. #31818

[Len Gerstner]

Re: Rally Wheels: same wheels, different codes?

I have both the DC and YS coded versions of the 15 X 6 rally rims. I have heard that the YS coded rims were produced by the same manufacturer, Kelsey Hayes, but sold in the replacement market to entities such as retail tire distributors, repair shops, etc.

Other than the codes being different the rims have the same dimensions and construction.

In addition, I have seen 15 x 6 Corvette rally rims that are coded DC but the size of the stamped letters are different; original '67 DC coded rims have the larger stamped letters.