Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

[Roy B.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Phil -

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

That was the same situation for the 53-55 Corvette from KH and for Buick

[William C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

At least in '64, they were a factory option, and the package included the two-bar spinner of '63 lore with a different emblem. There was a wire wheel hubcap option also at least in '62. I have not seen the wheels pictured on the earlier car before, nor am I aware of Dayton using a three-bar spinner. I don't have a Corvair options list available, but I'd like to see the option list before I was willing to make the jump to "factory installed" earlier than '64, and a corvair 13 inch wheel option does not automaticaly close the loop to a "Corvette" option at the FACTORY. Dealer installations are an entirely different issue.

[Bob J.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

chevyoptions.com
lists all the 1963 Corvair options, including wire wheels.

The Corvair wire wheels were NOT made by Dayton wheels , they were Kelsey Hayes wheels. Bob

[John N.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

In approximately 1980, a friend in Cincinnati sent a picture of a 59 or 60 Corvette with red painted wire wheels. By memory, it was a one owner car with a carbureted engine and Daytona wheels. The story was that the family was friends with the Kettering family and they helped with purchase of the car. Could have been a dealer add on or a VIP car.

Regards.

[William C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

From that website, looks like '63-64 were the only years the wire wheels were available on Corvair.

[Philip C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

chevyoptions.com
lists all the 1963 Corvair options, including wire wheels.

The Corvair wire wheels were NOT made by Dayton wheels , they were Kelsey Hayes wheels. Bob

HI Bob thanks for the in put, I know this is going to be a long up hill battle. I went to the address you posted, but I couldnt find the corvair list, I know by the FRIDAY NITE NEWS LETTERS that Chev. sent the dealers, corvair option was P-45. The two bar spinner was on both corvette and corvair Period. Its unbelievable, I find out new things about these cars everyday, esp 63s they had more changes than any other year conbined. Iam going to write article about these wheels and if anyone that has info one way or the other PLEASE call or contact me at 516-680-6711 or Pheonix411@aol.com Bob you know from your letter from Joe Pike Sept 1975 he had no clue how many Z-06 cars were built, if I may he said "there probably were not over 15 or 20 cars built with this option; even fewer with the optional 36 gallon gas tank, probably less than ten of these" This KOs band is BS like I stated before, to anyone, Show me one written piece of paper that says, NO 63 corvette came from the factory with two or three bar KOs. If the AIM shows a change in May 63, dont you guys think there was something to change, the listed the parts numbers from one to another. John D tells he saw them on a car being delivered on the transport to the dealer around the block from his house. Its time to take a long look at this and other matters for the good of our club. Phil 8063

[Philip C.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Phil -

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

Hi John, I see that Bob corrected you about who made them, Option P-45 was a factory option installed at the factory and Iam sure could have been also installed at the dealer. I have what Chevrolet called the friday nite news letter, these letters were sent to the dealer to up date them on options. I have one dated Sept 28, 1962 its says" Corvair RPO P45 wire wheels with Quick Knock-Off Hubs. Testing still being conducted by the Engineering Department. Availability date will be furnished as soon as possible" also on this letter is info for; Regular Passenger, Chevy II, Corvette, Trucks and General. I would like to know if you could tell me where your info came from. Thanks Phil 8063

[Joseph T.]

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....

Gary

I had chrome wire wheels on my 59 and I thought they looked great! I have a vintage picture sent to me by Sebring Bill showing ( as I remember ) a 59 or 60 with white wire wheels.

One night driving home from work in the 59..the rear left tire and wheel came off the car as I was doing about 70. Thought it was over...spun in a circle a couple times just missing a bridge and ended up sideways in the middle of the highway. Never did find the tire and wheel.

Joe

[John H.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

From that website, looks like '63-64 were the only years the wire wheels were available on Corvair.

Oops - I started at Willow Run in late '64, building '65 Corvairs (and Chevy II's), and was thinking about '65. Wasn't there during the '64 build.

[Roy B.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Here are the 1955 only dealer accessories wire wheel hub cap for again a Car Corvette or truck SS that were held on by the lug nuts, like the wire wheels for 53 to 55 . Had had them on my other 55 Corvette before I found the wire wheels for my now copper 55 Corvettes.
Again in 1956 the dealer also sold wire wheel hub caps for Car Corvette or truck. Those were the last year a dealer offered them for 15in wheels

[Greg M.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Hey Roy,
I like the pictures of your 1955 wire hubcaps. I have a set of them that I started to restore for a 1955 nomad I used to own. Now they set in the back room, I really should sell them to someone who can use them.
I always like the pictures of your 55 Corvette, Nice Ride!

[Roy B.]

Re: Wire Wheel Option-'62 Corvette

Hey Roy,
I like the pictures of your 1955 wire hubcaps. I have a set of them that I started to restore for a 1955 nomad I used to own. Now they set in the back room, I really should sell them to someone who can use them.
I always like the pictures of your 55 Corvette, Nice Ride!

Greg
The wire hub caps went with the 55 I sold years ago . I like having accessories and miss the hub caps ,if you do wont to sell your's what would be your cost ? you can e-mail off this forum . Lets talk Thanks Roy