Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

[Gary R.]

I hear of a guy claiming that he has one of 50+/- 1962 Corvettes with factory wire wheels. I don't believe it! I've done all of the easy research on the subject, Nolan Adams, etc and find nothing to support his claim. I suspect the delivering dealer installed aftermarket wires such as Dayton or others.
Can anyone shed some light on this silly question?

[Terry D.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Gary
He is probably the brother of the guy on E-Bay who is selling a one of one Corvette, minus the original motor for 1.8 million dollars. But seriously back in the day if you had the money and your dealership sold a lot of cars almost anything was possible.
Terry

[Duke W.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Dayton wire wheels were a popular high end aftermarket accessory in that era. They were never a RPO. It's possible they could have been installed on a COPO, but I doubt it. So unless the guy has documentation, he's just blowing smoke.

Duke

[Philip C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Dayton wire wheels were a popular high end aftermarket accessory in that era. They were never a RPO. It's possible they could have been installed on a COPO, but I doubt it. So unless the guy has documentation, he's just blowing smoke.

Duke

HI DW, do you know when the corvair started to use the factory wire wheels and what kind of spinner did they used with them, was the opt.# RPO-45 ? Thanks Phil 8063

[Duke W.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

No, I have little knowledge of Corvairs.

Duke

[Terry M.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

HI DW, do you know when the corvair started to use the factory wire wheels and what kind of spinner did they used with them, was the opt.# RPO-45 ? Thanks Phil 8063

I suspect these guys know the answer. You might try asking them.

http://www.vv.corvair.org/

[Gary C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Phil, 1962 Corvair Spyder could be bought with wire wheels. Don't recall if dealer option or factory. Gary....

[William C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Factory option for sure in '64 Dayton wires with 2-bar knockoff. Friend owned one in '64, still has it... Can't vouch for earlier years, although there was a wire wheel simulated hubcap option at least in the 62 up era.

[Gary C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Gary, photos of 1959 dated Daytona wire wheels off of a 1959 I bought eons ago from the original owner. He had the dealer add the wheels when he bought it. Sold the car, kept the wheels. Gary....

[Philip C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Thanks Guys for the info, it seems 63 corvairs had the wire wheels and two bars spinners and Bills friend had two bars in 64, SO why didnt the corvette have THEM in 63 and 64. The aim says the wheels were changed to the pin drive type in early May (63) if the knocks off were not avaiable (acc to NCRS) at all, so why all the paper work. Has anyone seen in writing that every 63 corvette did not come with KO wheels? I have the paper work thats says they DID. Phil 8063

[Roy B.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

The only wire wheels offered by your Chevy parts department was for 53 to 55 to be used on Corvette truck or Car of that year as seen here in a Union add in 1954. GM called them Motor wheels.



T

[William C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

I think you need to keep in mind that the Corvair Wheels were a direct purchase from Dayton Wheel corp made available as an "appearance" option. They were not a GM design. As such, they are otherwise unrelated to the Corvette situation with Kelsey. Would be interesting to see the paperwork you are referring to.

[Steven B.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Gary, photos of 1959 dated Daytona wire wheels off of a 1959 I bought eons ago from the original owner. He had the dealer add the wheels when he bought it. Sold the car, kept the wheels. Gary....

Nice wheels Gary! I am surprised they are painted and not chromed. 'Reminds me of the '60 and '61 Route 66 Corvettes Barris did.

Steve

[Philip C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

I think you need to keep in mind that the Corvair Wheels were a direct purchase from Dayton Wheel corp made available as an "appearance" option. They were not a GM design. As such, they are otherwise unrelated to the Corvette situation with Kelsey. Would be interesting to see the paperwork you are referring to.

Hi Bill Iam not sure what your saying about an "appearance option" were these wheel install at the dealer or the factory and who and how ordered them. Wasnt the two bar spinner used on the corvair the same spinner as the corvette, except for the center emblem. Thanks Phil 8063

[John H.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Iam not sure what your saying about an "appearance option" were these wheel install at the dealer or the factory and who and how ordered them.

Phil -

The Dayton wire wheel for the Corvair was a GM dealer accessory item (purchased from Dayton by GM), not factory-installed.