Lug nuts 1962

[John F.]

I have two different markings on lug nuts for my two 62s. Which are correct? Were they made by different suppliers back in the day? One has waffle markings on the face and one has a couple of dashes and what appears to be a triangular "s". This is the best I could do with my camera.

[Joe L.]

Re: Lug nuts 1962

I have two different markings on lug nuts for my two 62s. Which are correct? Were they made by different suppliers back in the day? One has waffle markings on the face and one has a couple of dashes and what appears to be a triangular "s". This is the best I could do with my camera.

John------


Without a doubt, GM had MANY suppliers for the GM #358501 lug nut and the different suppliers used different identifying features (e.g. the "waffle" pattern). Can you imagine how many of these things were being used----20 to a vehicle and across most all GM car and truck lines and models? Of course, only a few suppliers may have customarily supplied the nuts to particular vehicle plants. It's also very possible that nuts from different suppliers were used on any particular vehicle. However, I suspect that the nuts with the waffle pattern are original to your car and the others are likely replacements.

One thing to keep in mind: lug nuts are NOT "forever" pieces. They wear due to galling on the tapered surface from repeated removal and installation. For safety reasons they should be replaced when excessively worn. You could install the originals just for judging but I think it's a moot point because I don't think hub caps are removed for judging.

By the way, the GM #358501 lug nut was used for all 1953-82 Corvettes with steel wheels as well as virtually all other GM vehicles with steel wheels until metric sizes replaced SAE. The 358501 dates back to, at least, the 1940's and, probably well prior to that. I can't think of another GM part that's been used and available under the original part number for such a long period of time. Also, considering it's ubiquity, it'll probably be around in SERVICE long after most of us are gone---practically "immortal".

[John F.]

Re: Lug nuts 1962

Thank you Joe!

John F

[Mike E.]

Re: Lug nuts 1962

Every low-mile 62 i have documented has triangle stampings/markings at the points, with no waffle pattern.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Lug nuts 1962

I have been told numerous times that the waffle pattern was used "around" 1967 on Coirvettes and numerous other GM cars.

[Michael M.]

Re: Lug nuts 1962

My 1966 has two different markings on the lug nuts. Some of the lug nuts have the waffle pattern and some have "RBW" stamped into the outer edge of the lug nut.

[John H.]

Re: Lug nuts 1962

GM used a half a million lug nuts every single day, from multiple suppliers; it's highly unlikely that any particular lug nut could be considered as having been original to any particular carline application.