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Chrome wheels do not belong on a C8, neither on the C7. They are tacky looking and that's why the Corvette team (or any other high-end sports car manufacturer) has decided to not offer them! They are trying to lose a certain stigma and some (I'd say less than 5%) are not helping them lose this stigma by hanging on and still live in the past and internally I'm sure they're cringing at seeing chrome wheels on a C8!
And FYI, there are other options than black wheels.
Most of my seven prior Corvettes had chrome wheels, it was the standard at the time. Just like the passing of the round brake lights and standard transmission, we've been dragged into the present/future with non-chrome wheels. I found that the brushed/clear wheel that MRR offers fits my liking. It's important to note that Porsche, Ferrari and Lambo don't offer chrome wheels as an option.
I just went for something in between. My initial purchase included the Sterling finish wheels but over time, I started to appreciate black wheels as well. Not as much contrast but works for me although I certainly understand those who prefer a brighter look.
Black wheels in a shadow or in low light, or even from a distance, all look the same because you can't make them out. I think black wheels became a thing when people started thinking that they could get by without cleaning their wheels longer if they were black from the beginning.
Totally disagree. When I owned aluminum (10 years ago) or chrome rims (20+ years ago) they were far easier to keep clean then black rims. Sure, if the base Chevy Malibu came with black rims, I'm sure they'd never clean their rims...but guys buying black rims on a performance car are going to keep them clean. Just saying.
I don't disagree that you lose details on the black rims, but I like the look and it's my car, yada yada yada. I don't think my enjoyment of black rims takes away from your enjoyment of chrome (and vice versa)... and I'm not suggesting that's what you were saying. I think the "black rim" thing caught on when more and more actual race cars began using black rims (possibly due to accumulated brake dust during an event) and black rims became more connected or exclusive to performance cars and even the top performance variant. To each his/her own. Are black rims a fad? Definitely, but they will still be relevant long than chrome rims.
Last I check, the chrome rim doesn't sell very well on the C8, because...oh right, its not even offered as a factory option.
I will admit not to being a fan of Black wheels originally but started going to some car shows and saw them up close and my thoughts began to evolve. Bright wheels can look outstanding also and not going to say what is best as its a personal decision. If it makes you happy, then that’s all that matters in the end. Black looks a bit more aggressive imo but don’t like it on all colors so that also is part of the equation, but no wrong or right choice - only what matters to ones’ taste.
Have noticed the same conversations about chrome in our car club. Looks like you have to be over 70 to want chrome wheels on a C8. Just saying. There are some exceptions to 70 but only a few.
I'm almost 70, but I don't want chrome wheels on anything other than a street rod or '60s era custom. Don't like black wheels either, though.
Chrome wheels do not belong on a C8, neither on the C7. They are tacky looking and that's why the Corvette team (or any other high-end sports car manufacturer) has decided to not offer them! They are trying to lose a certain stigma and some (I'd say less than 5%) are not helping them lose this stigma by hanging on and still live in the past and internally I'm sure they're cringing at seeing chrome wheels on a C8!
And FYI, there are other options than black wheels.
Give me a break. Chrome isn't my favorite, but I would take Chrome over black any day. From any distance, black wheels just make the wheel well look like a big, black void. If someone likes chrome, there is NOTHING wrong with it. I cant begin to understand why anyone would want black wheels on a Corvette (or any car except a junker missing its hubcaps), but if someone likes them, fine. It doesn’t create a stigma for the car.
Give me a break. Chrome isn't my favorite, but I would take Chrome over black any day. From any distance, black wheels just make the wheel well look like a big, black void. If someone likes chrome, there is NOTHING wrong with it. I cant begin to understand why anyone would want black wheels on a Corvette (or any car except a junker missing its hubcaps), but if someone likes them, fine. It doesn’t create a stigma for the car.
There are more options than just black you know? And yes there is definitely a stigma....just because you don't get it doesn't mean it doesn't exist!! Again that's why no other high-end sports car manufacturer (including the Corvette) does not offer them any more! They left a lot of money on the table by excluding this option so that alone speaks very loudly!
Prove it. How old are you, and do you like chrome rims?
Mid 30's.
I love chrome. My first Corvette, a 1998, back when I was in my early twenties had chrome CCW's. Those wheels costed me a fortune, but it was definitely worth it to me.
As I mentioned above, I too love chrome wheels, but I haven't yet seen a factory C8 wheel that I like.
The main problem, is they seem to all be "front wheel drive" style wheels, with absolutely zero concave "dish" to them. The wheel design itself is more important to me than the color.
Well, I’m an old guy and I outgrew chrome about a decade ago. Didn’t have chrome wheels on my C7 (black wheels), not the last few Cadillac crossovers my wife has had. My C8 has Spectra Gray Tridents. I won’t have chrome wheels again on a vehicle.
05-31-2022, 10:20 PM
Well I liked them when I was 6 and I'm 66 now....
So there is a conundrum...yes I'm old and yes I like chrome, but I've always liked it...
