1963 Wheel Size & Back Spacing

[John P.]

I'd like to purchase a set of Torque Thrust wheels for my 1963 SWC and would like to know what size wheels were popular during the 60's era. I don't want to cut or flair anything. Was it popular to run 14's up front and 15's in the back or did we just run 15's all around and get the rake with tire size? Will 14's clear the brake drums? Is 6.5" the maximum width and what about back spacing? Any thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Wheel Size & Back Spacing

I'd like to purchase a set of Torque Thrust wheels for my 1963 SWC and would like to know what size wheels were popular during the 60's era. I don't want to cut or flair anything. Was it popular to run 14's up front and 15's in the back or did we just run 15's all around and get the rake with tire size? Will 14's clear the brake drums? Is 6.5" the maximum width and what about back spacing? Any thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks.

John------


1963 Corvette wheels were 5-1/2" wide X 15". They had an offset of + 0.44". The 1964 knock-off wheels had a size of 6" X 15" with a +0.61" offset. You can figure the back-spacing to be APPROXIMATELY equal to 1/2 the width of the wheel PLUS the off-set. But, when buying new wheels, I would want to know the OFFSET of the wheels and match it as closely as possible to the original specs.

I have never heard of anyone using 14" wheels on any Corvette. No Corvette was ever originally supplied with 14" wheels. I think that 14" wheels would likely fit on a 1963-64 Corvette since the brake drums were the same as other Chevrolet cars using 14" wheels. However, I'd never recommend the use of 14" wheels on ANY Corvette. They will not fit on any 65+ Corvette with disc brakes.

As far as "the rake" is concerned----YUK. I would always try to AVOID that in a Corvette, not intentionally create it.

As far as what size torque thrust wheels to use, I would stay as close as possible to the wheel sizes and off-sets originally used on Corvettes of the 63-67 period. Changing wheel sizes and, especially, wheel off-sets effectively accomplishes "field suspension re-engineering" and I don't recommend or encourage that, AT ALL.

In addition to the above, the tire fitment options for C2 Corvettes with stock bodies are very limited, so why try to change wheel size?

[John P.]

Re: 1963 Wheel Size & Back Spacing

Thanks Joe. I am keeping all the original parts (wheels, hub caps, etc) but want the option to swap out for modifications that were popular in the 60's. Depending on the car show I'd either go original or era modified. As I recall the Torq Thrust wheels were very popular as were 67 big block hoods, a "little" rake, and side exhausts to mention a few. Thanks for the info on the original wheels and the feedback on the 14's.

[Michael G.]

Re: 1963 Wheel Size & Back Spacing

John,

Here are some images of my '63 mounted with 15" x 6" period correct Torque Thrust D's. No clearance issues. The black wall tires give the car a menacing appearance.... Certainly gives the car a look from back in the day.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Wheel Size & Back Spacing

Thanks Joe. I am keeping all the original parts (wheels, hub caps, etc) but want the option to swap out for modifications that were popular in the 60's. Depending on the car show I'd either go original or era modified. As I recall the Torq Thrust wheels were very popular as were 67 big block hoods, a "little" rake, and side exhausts to mention a few. Thanks for the info on the original wheels and the feedback on the 14's.

John------


Yes, American Torque Thrust D wheels were extremely popular in the 60's and earlier 70's. It was definitely "the wheel to have" back then. All of the others were pretty much considered "imposters".

Also, the "rake" seen on many Corvettes was not usually intentional. Many 65-66 big blocks were lower in the front than in the back due to GM's use of front springs designed for small block weight. In addition, cars converted from small block to big block without the change of front springs also resulted in this "rake".

[Bill M.]

Re: 1963 Wheel Size & Back Spacing

I copied this from John Hinckley's post over on Corvette Forum.
This is very good advice!:

Corvette 15x6 wheels (steel rally or aluminum KO or BO) had +.06" offset, and midyears are extremely intolerant of wider 15" wheels and tires; they were designed in 1961 around 6.70-15 tires on 5-1/2" rims.

205/75-15's on stock rims have no issues, and 215/70-15's may or may not have minor rubbing issues; either size will maintain speedo accuracy, as they're the same diameter as the original 7.75-15's. Anything wider (tire cross-section or rim width) is likely to have issues.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Wheel Size & Back Spacing

I copied this from John Hinckley's post over on Corvette Forum.
This is very good advice!:

Corvette 15x6 wheels (steel rally or aluminum KO or BO) had +.06" offset, and midyears are extremely intolerant of wider 15" wheels and tires; they were designed in 1961 around 6.70-15 tires on 5-1/2" rims.

205/75-15's on stock rims have no issues, and 215/70-15's may or may not have minor rubbing issues; either size will maintain speedo accuracy, as they're the same diameter as the original 7.75-15's. Anything wider (tire cross-section or rim width) is likely to have issues.

Bill------


The 1967 Corvette wheels had the +0.06 offset. However, most earlier C2 wheels have +0.44" offset. The only exception is the 1963 aluminum wheel with a +0.61" offset. I think that very few, if any, of the original 1963 wheels exist.

I think that 5-1/2" to 6" wide wheels with an off-set of 0 to about +.50 will work ok on any C2 Corvette. Personally, if it were me, I would not use anything outside that range.

[John P.]

Re: 1963 Wheel Size & Back Spacing

Excellent advise and thanks to all for answering all my questions. Michael, that's the look! I'll be sporting Daytona Blue as well.