Recreating the 1989 Prototype Wheels?

[Erik]

I've always loved the wheels on the original ZR-1 prototypes. Maybe because they were the first ones I saw, but the covers over the lugs just always looked more right to me then the open ones on the 90.

So, I was wondering if anyone had managed to recreate the rears? I'm guessing the fronts would just be standard 89 wheels, right? I can imagine three ways of doing it. One, spending a huge amount of money for a custom made wheel. Two, have a regular 89 wheel split and widened. Third, machining a lip onto a 1990 wheel to fit the 89 cover. Yes, that would mean desecrating a rare 1990 wheel, but it's just a thought.

Has anyone undertaken a project like this? Are any, or all, of my assumptions incorrect? Am I actually brilliant?

[Corvettes White]

Erik

You do not need to make them. Several sets exist and they do trade hands from time to time. Post a want ad. Someone may answer. I won't but someone may. Only the two in the back are different. Fronts the same.

George

[viper107]

There is a wheel company out there that can split them weld more in grind it smooth and you'll never know it
and that's perfectly safe

[Erik]

There is a wheel company out there that can split them weld more in grind it smooth and you'll never know it
and that's perfectly safe

I?ve seen it done and I figure that would be the easier/cheaper option. Did you have anyone in mind?

[Erik]

Erik

You do not need to make them. Several sets exist and they do trade hands from time to time. Post a want ad. Someone may answer. I won't but someone may. Only the two in the back are different. Fronts the same.

George

As cool as that is having a set of prototype wheels, I?d almost be afraid to ask what they?d fetch.

So should I imply from your statement that you have a set?

I always wondered why they made such a big deal of revealing the car to the world with those wheels, and then change them at the last moment.

[Corvettes White]

There are more sets of wheels out there than cars that need them. So in the grand scheme of things they are not over the top. I would expect $1000 to $2000 for a pair depending on condition. The ZR 1 was intended to be released in 1989, not 1990. So all the press material was prepared with '89 cars. Late production cars were certified for sale in the US.
I do have a pair. Good luck looking. George.

[LGAFF]

They are very very heavy wheels

[Erik]

There are more sets of wheels out there than cars that need them. So in the grand scheme of things they are not over the top. I would expect $1000 to $2000 for a pair depending on condition. The ZR 1 was intended to be released in 1989, not 1990. So all the press material was prepared with '89 cars. Late production cars were certified for sale in the US.
I do have a pair. Good luck looking. George.

Interesting. Wouldn't have thought that was the case. It's weird seeing pictures in the 1990 brochure of wheel options that weren't actually available.

I'm guessing it was a cost and (small) weight reduction that led to the revised wheel. Not having to pay for those Center caps must have made the accountants smile. Though any decrease in unsprung weight is always a good thing.

[Erik]

They are very very heavy wheels

Oh yeah? Notably more then the ones in the 90?

[dredgeguy]

There was a retired GM executive at Carlisle this year with a brand new set of pre production ZR-1 wheels still in the GM boxes. I think he had started around $1800 for the set but by the end of the show had dropped the price down to $1400. Some may have gotten his contact information but unfortunately I did not. Maybe somebody can post up his contact?

[Erik]

There was a retired GM executive at Carlisle this year with a brand new set of pre production ZR-1 wheels still in the GM boxes. I think he had started around $1800 for the set but by the end of the show had dropped the price down to $1400. Some may have gotten his contact information but unfortunately I did not. Maybe somebody can post up his contact?

Damn. I gotta get to Carlisle next year.

Thanks for sharing that!

[Bob Eyres]

Unless you have a problem about going 180mph on a re-welded wheel, the widened ones are the way to go IMHO.
A number of owners have widened their stock 11 inch ZR-1 rear wheels to 12 inches to make the wide 335x35 tires look just right. It looks great.


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[Erik]

Unless you have a problem about going 180mph on a re-welded wheel, the widened ones are the way to go IMHO.
A number of owners have widened their stock 11 inch ZR-1 rear wheels to 12 inches to make the wide 335x35 tires look just right. It looks great.


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I actually am planning on going 180 mph. :)

But I could use the stock wheels for that.

But it does seem the smarter option to widen the wheels. Not as if there is a shortage of the regular wheels available.

Thanks!

[Bob Eyres]

Weird? Check the BB Wheels website. It has a full paragraph promotion for 335x35x17 tires from a number of companies.
Thought it had to be BS...called....it is.


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[aafc]

If you want to widen or narrow your rims, I used Weldcraft Wheels inc.
13111 Newburgh Rd. Livonia, MI 48150 phone 734-779-1303
web ( www.weldcraftwheels.com ). I had my front 1990 rims narrowed from 9.5 in to 6 in for drag racing Had them done on 6/1/2012. I drive year round
with them and at the track. best mph 120
John

[Bob Eyres]

Erik- I was actually kidding about the 180mph. If they are trued and balanced there is no reason they would be a problem at top end.
John- That is a 90 ZR-1 right? How much weight did you lose when you put the skinnies on?
There was a white/black automatic Z here in Florida that had skinny front wheels. Is yours the one? What are your mods and best ETs if you don?t mind me asking?


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[aafc]

Bob,
that would be me 1990 140xxx miles. 368 SGC stage one cams trans 4l8OE
converter by FTI 11.54 @ 120 1.61 60ft Qa1 single stage shocks. pic taken in
March 2017 at Orlando speed world. when i had the rims narrowed i did not weight the rims. I believe the stock front rims without tires would be about
34-37 lbs. Haven run the car (at track) for about 2 years.

[Z51JEFF]

One option would do to have an insert made that bolts to the inside of the wheel and bolt to cap to that. Machine work would have to be done to the wheels as well.