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

[Erik]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

They are very very heavy wheels

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

[Erik]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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

[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?