What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels?
01-16-2003, 09:13 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2002
Location: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
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Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (virtue4u)
According to my Ecklers catalog, the 1980 wheels are chromed -- 77's aren't. Also, the center of a '77 wheel is painted black, the 1980 is not. Finally, the center cap logo is different, but that can be swapped out easily enough.
If the price is right, go for it! No one's gonna notice except the NCRS aficionados...
If the price is right, go for it! No one's gonna notice except the NCRS aficionados...
01-16-2003, 09:16 AM
#3
Drifting
Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (page62)
I don't think the 80's are chrome but I know you are right on the rest. My 80 had aluminum no chrome on them. Actually they are on my 76 now. I wish they were chrome I hate polishing them.
Bob
Bob
01-16-2003, 09:23 AM
#4
Race Director
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Location: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
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Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (virtue4u)
Go ahead. Am running 77 Al. wh. w/ later center caps. Would trade for 80 Al. whs.
:cool:
:cool:
01-16-2003, 09:30 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (virtue4u)
The 77 wheels have a "machined" finish and the 80 wheels are polished & clear coated. Both had a black center if I remember correctly.
01-16-2003, 09:40 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
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Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (Jim Martley2)
I stand corrected -- the Ecklers photo led me astray. The wheels were machine finished up to '79 (one of these days I'll get around to polishing mine...)
01-16-2003, 05:09 PM
#7
Team Owner
Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (virtue4u)
The centres were not painted in 1980-82. You must acquire this special tool to convert the 1980 wheels to the 1976-79 style.
[Modified by paul79, 5:12 PM 1/16/2003]
[Modified by paul79, 5:12 PM 1/16/2003]
01-19-2003, 08:34 AM
#8
Race Director
Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (paul79)
I have some Chevrolet sales-brochure photos of the '77-'82 era Corvettes. The picture of the '80 shows the aluminum wheel with the 'Black' center lug area, but I'm not sure that is correct; it 'could' be a pre-production photo (i.e.-'last year's' wheels!) It is my recollection that '80-'82 had the 'polished' centers. My '82 has the optional aluminum wheels, and were polished aluminum across this area, then 'clear-coated'. Altho my car had less than 15,000 original miles on it, the clear-coat had begun shrinking, peeling, and turning an ugly Yellowish-Grey. No amount of 'rubbing' could fix this problem, but I found a chrome-plating shop near Washington, D.C. who helped. They used a 7-step process, the last being a triple-coat of chrome plating! I got my wheels back in 8 days, including one-day of shipping each way! The cost was decent; $550 for the set! While purists may cringe, I don't care! They are the way they SHOULD'VE been made 20+ years ago; bright, sexy, and easy-to-clean!!! If any Forum members would like the business' name, I'd be happy to pass it on via E-mail. P.S.- Paul79, I like your 'special tool'. Did you get it at a swap-meet, off E-bay, or from your local GM dealer? And, since you're in Canada, is it sized for 'standard', or 'metric'?
01-19-2003, 09:52 AM
#9
Team Owner
Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (Glensgages)
Canada has been metric since 1977 so the tool is sized at one kilogram: 2.2 lbs. I could not find one on EBay and it is GM-discontinued so got it for the "buy it now" price at a local supermarket ;) .
01-19-2003, 10:21 AM
#10
Melting Slicks
Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (virtue4u)
This is one of my 1980 wheels (w/'79 center cap emblem).
They didn't have any clear coat on them when I purchased the car.
Use a photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop to put these wheels onto your car just to check out the look.
They didn't have any clear coat on them when I purchased the car.
Use a photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop to put these wheels onto your car just to check out the look.
01-19-2003, 10:50 AM
#11
Race Director
Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (paul79)
Paul79, just a few more 'questions' regarding your 'special tool': Did you take special classes before using the tool? Does your local supermarket offer a life-time warranty? Is your tool 'left-hand' threaded? I love Canada; I hope to attend the " Wasaga Beach Corvette Cruize " in the future!
01-19-2003, 11:21 AM
#12
Team Owner
Re: What are the differences between 77 versus 80 aluminum wheels? (Glensgages)
No warranty implied or given on that tool ;) . Training was minimal also. But the tool does work. SuperFast80 can provide comments on Wasaga. Apparently it is a very good weekend but I have never attended.
