88 Base Wheels

[Z51JEFF]

Hi Hib,Ive got a question for you.Theres a question on another forum in regards to when the C4 Corvette got 9.5 inch wheels in the front,I say it was 86 on Z51 cars,some swear it was 85 on Z51 cars.I had an 84 back in 1987 and everybody with 84-85s wanted the wider wheel on the front of the car,including me.Now I know non Z51 cars had 8.5s front-rear but the Z51 option cars had 8.5 front and 9.5 on the rear for 84 and 85.The ZR1 Net has a wheel chart that states the 85 Z51 cars had 9.5 on the front.Any info on this,Thanks Hib.

 

[Hib Halverson]

This thread should be moved out of the ZR-1 forum into the regular C4 forum.

84-87 base was 8.5x16 ft and rr
84 Z51 was 8.5x16 ft and 9.5x16 rr
85-87 Z51 was 9.5x16 ft and rr.
88 base was announced as 8.5x16 ft and rr but I'm not sure any cars were acutally built that way.

Hope that helps.

 

[Mac]

Done.

-Mac

 

[TedC]

Hib, When looking for used C4 a few years back, I test drove a dark blue 1988 with the stock GM base rims (16 x 8.5). I actually liked the uncommon look, and found it to be a very smooth riding C4. It had the base 2.59 rear axle, so I continued my search.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hib, When looking for used C4 a few years back, I test drove a dark blue 1988 with the stock GM base rims (16 x 8.5). I actually liked the uncommon look, and found it to be a very smooth riding C4. It had the base 2.59 rear axle, so I continued my search.

Interesting.
I stand corrected then. I've never seen an 88 with 16s on it. I would imagine it was quite smooth riding as it had base springs and tires with a higher aspect ratio which should have improved harshness.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Done.
-Mac

Thanks Mac. Now that it's in a better spot maybe more people will chime-in about the 88s with 16s. I learn something new at least once a week here on the old CAC.

 

[MusclecarJohn]

Here's a pic of the '88 only 16x8.5s, I kinda like them also, very unique

 

[Mac]

Thanks Mac. Now that it's in a better spot maybe more people will chime-in about the 88s with 16s. I learn something new at least once a week here on the old CAC.

I must have more to learn than you, Hib... it's a rare day when I don't pick up a new fact or two. I never cease to be amazed by the depth and breadth of knowledge of folks here on the CAC!

-Mac

 

[Hib Halverson]

Here's a pic of the '88 only 16x8.5s, I kinda like them also, very unique

Unique indeed, for two reasons

I whipped my Black Book off the shelf---I'll add that the 2009 version of Mike Antonick's incredibly valuable reference came out at the beginning of last month---and did some math: only 3473 cars will built with the 16" wheels that year. That's based on 22789 total less all the "Z" RPOs.

That wheel, by virtue of it's unique-for-1988, 50mm offset, was a one-year part. It was discontinued at the end of the model year.

I've never seen an 88 with those wheels. You'd think I'd have seen at least one in the last 21 years. Maybe I was too busy looking at chicks.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I must have more to learn than you, Hib... it's a rare day when I don't pick up a new fact or two. I never cease to be amazed by the depth and breadth of knowledge of folks here on the CAC!

-Mac

It's not that you must have more to learn...I kinda doubt that after reading your stuff here on CAC for the last several years.

It's that you spend a lot more time on this site than do I. You get exposed to far more educational content, thus you learn more often.

 

[53 Blue Flame]

I had a friend who bought a black 88 with those wheels.

 

[koolaid117]

I have always liked those wheels. I don't know what the ride difference is between the two, but always thought those wheels were better looking.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hey, Mac...if you're still reading this thread...if possible, can we change the topic's name to "88 base wheels"?

 

[CorvetteArchives]

Yeah, I see those 88 wheels about only once every couple years. I've looked for a used set for years and nobody seems to part with them! Oddly, when I do see them its NOT at car shows! I think most people dont know what they have.
I used to walk up to 12 miles a day and stumbled across 2 88's with those wheels about 2 miles apart just sitting in the driveway. THAT was pretty weird.

BTW, dont worry Hib....I recall when looking through old Corvette Fever mags that Gorden Killebrew screwed up this very question related to the z51 wheel sizes. You got it right :-D

 

[XLR8]

Hey, Mac...if you're still reading this thread...if possible, can we change the topic's name to "88 base wheels"?

Sorry for the delay, Hib. Your request was overlooked until now.

Change made.

Jane Ann

 

[Z51JEFF]

I had an 84 that I bought in 87,the hot setup at the time was to put the wider wheels on the front of the car and If I remember correctly the 84-85 owners were all looking to put the wider wheels on the front of these cars.

 

[rmagee7]

on those 16' rims when i bought my car everbody swore that those were not the rims that came on the car. had to get the RPO and show them that yes in 88 they did come with straight 16'-8.5 all the way round i have since then bought 17'' 18'' and have the stock rims in my office with a table top on them.get rid of them?it would be hard to part with them maybe somebody getting their car ready for NCRS that needed period correct rims i'd think about it.and yes they do ride better than my new ones do.my wife noticed it righrt away

 

[Mac]

Sorry for the delay, Hib. Your request was overlooked until now.

Change made.

Jane Ann

Nice to know I have backup for when I get sick with the flu. Thank you, Jane Ann!!

-Mac

 

[XLR8]

Nice to know I have backup for when I get sick with the flu. Thank you, Jane Ann!!

-Mac