63 Z06 Steel Wheels

[Barry H.]

I am trying to determine the size of the steel wheels installed with the HD fined brakes on the zo6 option?
are they 15 by 5&1/2" or 15 by 6"?
Thank you Barry Holmes

[Rick G.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Barry,

Tony Avedisian's and Gregory Keith's great book, The Definitive 1963 Corvette RPO Z06 list the steel wheel assembly, 3834127, as 15 x 5.50 K.

Rick

[Keith B.]

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

as rick mentioned , ALL 63 corvettes had 15 x 5 1/2" steel wheels. I suspect Andy c and Phil c will dispute ALL 63's came with steel wheels ONLY . mike

[Andy C.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

From the GM paperwork and original window stickers all Z06 cars were to be delivered with Cast Aluminum wheels. We know that did not happen per GM bulletins. They used 63 regular production wheels. If they made a 15x6" for the Z06 i have never heard of it.

Andy

[David B.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

No need to start this discussion again, BUT: GM Production records do show 13 - P48 (Quick Take Offs) were produced. Certainly not steel wheels but they were 15" X 6"

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Notwithstanding the controversy over whether or not production '63 Corvettes ever had KO wheels installed at the plant (several of the 25 pilot line models did have the early "gear drive" design with two-bar nuts, which turned out to be a patent violation and were never installed in production) all Z-06 options got the standard '63 15 x 5.5" steel wheels.

If ordered with the standard rayon cord blackwalls or optional nylon cord blackwalls, the wheels were painted body color. If ordered with whitewalls the wheels were painted black.

First Z-06 batch (six I think) produced in early October, all of which raced at the Riverside six-hour endure later that month except Alan Green's car left the plant with steel wheels.

At least three were picked up at the plant and driven back to their home bases by Jerry Grant, Bob Bondurant, and Dave McDonald, and photos taken during delivery show steel wheels.

Duke

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Merry Christmas!!!!!

After exhaustive research, (ie, I was in the garage breathing a lot of carbon monoxide) I have discovered that my car was, in fact, the only one that made it out of St. Louis in '63 with original aluminum knock-off wheels. This, of-course, makes my car extremely valuable, but I assure everyone, that, even after finding these rare St. Louis documents (all nicely aged, with tea, I think) in my basement, I'll not attempt to profit from this incredible piece of investigative work.....much

I'm sure you'll all agree that its great to finally get this settled, (well, maybe not Andy and Phil) especially in such an impartial way, so now, everybody get back to Christmas dinner...

[Michael J.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Has anyone heard the story about how the first finned drums on the Z06 were first cast with the fins protruding too far out and interfering with the steel wheels? The replacement drums had the fins cast squared off and not tapering farther out, like the alleged original drums. Not sure of that is true or not.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

I'll bet those first cars didn't roll very far after being set down at the end of the line...

[Keith B.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Has anyone heard the story about how the first finned drums on the Z06 were first cast with the fins protruding too far out and interfering with the steel wheels? The replacement drums had the fins cast squared off and not tapering farther out, like the alleged original drums. Not sure of that is true or not.

Yes Tony A talked about that in his seminar. So it should be in his book. From what I recall the line workers used a grinder to make clearnance until it cleared. There was a bunch of other things engendering over looked as well.

[Andy C.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Hello; The steel wheels used on all Z06's were the stock ones 15" x 5 1/2".......

[Barry H.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Thanks all for the info! Barry Holmes

[Alan D.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

Well, it looks like we need an official update to the JG now!

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 Z06 Steel Wheels

I believe the JG states that 15 x 5 1/2" steel wheels are to be judged as the only style wheel on a 63 being judged. even if its not stated as such, I'm pretty sure the 63-64 national team leader deducts for K/O wheels on a 63. mike