Need help picking wheels for my 65 Chevelle

[65wildride]

I'm just about ready to purchase wheels for my 65 but I can't decide if I want the Rated X's or the new Weld RTS s74's. The more I look at the Rated X's & the color options I think this is the way I want to go. Plus, no one has the Weld's (or at least I haven't seen any photos other than the ad) and it's hard to project how they will look on my car.

If I buy the Rushforth's, I'm leaning towards all black, or black hoop with flat black or gun metal center, vs. the standard polished hoop with black center. I'm even considering a red stripe on the hoop if I go with black. I want something that will look different but appropriate for the car. I have a full front/rear SC&C/AFX suspension & I plan to run c5 brakes front & rear so the wheels need to be appropriate for the rest of the car. Am I crazy for considering Black wheels with Turquoise? Red stripe on a black wheel with my combo?

Please don't hesitate to offer your opinion. This is a huge investment & I want to make sure I get this right the first time.

Thanks,

Rob


65958

[onyxxtreme]

i pick the black ones

[LowFast]

No black, go dark grey/graphite Rated-X

[csouth]

No black, go dark grey/graphite Rated-X

x2.. I think you'll be introducing too many colors with the black. The black is also very stark when compared to the color of your car. Rushforth's in smoke titanium would look good too. I can't wait to put my Rated X's on.
I have C5 calipers for sale BTW(shameless plug) :guilty:

[65wildride]

x2.. I think you'll be introducing too many colors with the black. The black is also very stark when compared to the color of your car. Rushforth's in smoke titanium would look good too. I can't wait to put my Rated X's on.
I have C5 calipers for sale BTW(shameless plug) :guilty:

Tell me more about the C5 calipers..front & rear? Why are you selling?

[65wildride]

No black, go dark grey/graphite Rated-X

Okay, I need to find a set in grey/graphite...I have not seen this combination. I have seen Matte Black with Gun Metal (I think) like this wheel. I think something like this might work & not be too much of a contrast with the body color. I think the polished wheel/hoop makes the lack of sidewall height a focus when looking at the car. My thought is a darker wheel or hoop would make the lack of sidewall less of a focal point. Agree?

[csouth]

Tell me more about the C5 calipers..front & rear? Why are you selling?

I was considering a Z06 upgrade, but my rears may not clear. You should contact Jason, you'll find him very easy to work with. Here is a finish I think would look good, its called Black Diamond. Its a tinted clear just like his Smoked Titanium. This is a pic form Jason's Hub Garage. I would do this with brushed hoops.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/100_1351_detail-1.jpg

[65_LS1_T56]

Funny, I too am struggling with a wheel decision on a 65. Wheels are like paint color: make or break a car.

Chris Jacobs runs the Welds and they look awesome on his 66.
66043

[65wildride]

I have communicated with Jason for his thoughts. I'm not sure I want to spend $150 for a photoshop rendering of my car. Maybe once I get closer I'll consider it. I'm not sure if he offsets the cost if I purchase the wheels. My thought was to post my photos & initial thoughts to see what kind of feedback I get. I'm in the same boat with my brakes, I have not decided if I will go with the C5's or the z06. I like the black diamond, Jason suggested suggested the flat black or Smoked titanium. For some reason the Flat Black hoop is my favorite, just a big leap, and as Aaron states the wheels will make or break my car. I don't like 18's on 65's that look like rubberband tires. The right size tires & wheels will make or break my overall goal for the look of the car. Again, I appreciate the suggestions, this is a big decision.

[65wildride]

Funny, I too am struggling with a wheel decision on a 65. Wheels are like paint color: make or break a car.

Chris Jacobs runs the Welds and they look awesome on his 66.
66043

Yep, this is the only car I've ever seen with these wheels. In my opinion, this car looks awesome! The problem is, I don't have a 66 with 275 fronts & 315/335 rear tires. I'm looking to squeeze 285's if possible (I'm running a Watts link which will hopefully allow this) in the rear & 245's in the front. Without the right amount of sidewall I'm not sure these will look right on my car. I do like the black accents. In general, I like black vs. chrome. My motorcycle is a Nightrain & I took ever step possible to increase the black items & make all of the accent items chrome. So, maybe my tastes in color schemes is not mainstream but I also recognize black, if used incorrectly, might not look right on my car.

[65_LS1_T56]

Yeah, Chris' car wears those nicely for sure, yes with 275(or more) and 335's on the back.
As far as squeezing 285's under a stock wheelwell, probably not without some persuasion with a BFH and a bat to roll the lip. Depending on ride height, the outer wheelwell has a pretty big radius on the top that can interfere when the car is low, something to think about when measuring.
here is a 285-35-19 wedged into the stock opening, it would not go any higher and it was pretty tight side to side:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/photobucket15141327284391092-1.jpg
I'm putting two inch wider tubs in and notching my frame for 295's. Plenty of clearance maybe even an option for 305/315's later, and I'm probably running the 245 up front as well.
I'm going with 18's too, larger just doesn't look right to me on a 64/5. later years, maybe 19's.

On "black wheels"; I've seen some all black that look OK, but to me the detail of the wheel disappears if the center and hoops are all black. And it all blends into the tires...then the tires sun fade and get a brownish color...
I like Jason's idea of the smoked titanium or the flat black. with your color I think they would contrast it well.

If you are on the fence about which brake is for you, call Tobin at Kore3. He will steer you right by asking questions to you instead of you asking him. I had my mind on Z06 before I talked to him, ordered c5/6 Z51 after.

[65wildride]

Thanks Aaron. In reality, I know 275's on the rear is about all I'm going to be able to fit on my car. I know there are a few guys that have 275's on the rear without wheelwell mods. I will definitely measure a few times but I hope this will not be an issue since I had 28 inch tall 275's (total of 10.6 inches wide) & the 275/40/18's run about 26 inches tall & 10.7 inches wide. The Fays2Watts Link should control lateral movement & allow me to run less clearance but I agree ride height & the upper wheelwell could be a problem if my car sits too low.

I'm definitely going with Kore3 when I purchase my brakes. What sold you on the C5/6 z51?

I agree, all black is probably too much. I need to look into Black Diamond on Rushforth's website. Outside opinions are good at this point so I'm prepared once it's time to put in my order. My AFX spindles are ready to go, can't wait for the package to arrive & start the reassembly process. Thanks again for the feedback. I've followed your build on TC, very nice so far! Can't wait to see the finished product.

[65_LS1_T56]

Thanks Aaron. In reality, I know 275's on the rear is about all I'm going to be able to fit on my car. I know there are a few guys that have 275's on the rear without wheelwell mods. I will definitely measure a few times but I hope this will not be an issue since I had 28 inch tall 275's (total of 10.6 inches wide) & the 275/40/18's run about 26 inches tall & 10.7 inches wide. The Fays2Watts Link should control lateral movement & allow me to run less clearance but I agree ride height & the upper wheelwell could be a problem if my car sits too low.

I'm definitely going with Kore3 when I purchase my brakes. What sold you on the C5/6 z51?

I agree, all black is probably too much. I need to look into Black Diamond on Rushforth's website. Outside opinions are good at this point so I'm prepared once it's time to put in my order. My AFX spindles are ready to go, can't wait for the package to arrive & start the reassembly process. Thanks again for the feedback. I've followed your build on TC, very nice so far! Can't wait to see the finished product.

Rob, thank you for the props about my build...long way to go, but one thing at a time. Small progress is still progress.

On the brakes: of course the cost was less and I was able to upgrade to the DBA rotors too. Biggest complaint is the factory style rotors both in how they are warp prone and Z51 rotors only have one hand, can't remember left side I think, so the drilled holes are not symetrical side to side...
One addtional concern with a non-floater rear is the rigid mounted Z06 calipers and the potential for "knock-back". The floating calipers tend to not do this as much I've read. Pads are much more readilly available and more choices in compounds too I believe with the c5/c6 system.

Where are you from Rob? Need to update your profile!

[65wildride]

Madison, Ohio...I do need to update my profile! Not sure where Mid-Michigan is but I love snowmobiling in the U.P.! Definitely a beautiful state. Can't wait to spend a week next summer on the lake near Petoskey. Thanks for the feedback on the brakes.

[65_LS1_T56]

Ah, was just in Solon a few weeks back at the Ohio Musclecar Challenge. Had my 02 Camaro SS there as the Chevelle is a ways from roadworthy. Took first place in the modern musclecar class :thankyou: , lol, there were only two in the class, but hey still got first!
Mid-MI is just that, kinda in the middle of the state. I'm about 1/2 hour east of Flint in Lapeer. The UP is nice, spent a week this summer with the family and drove all the way to Copper Harbor. 1300miles in six days, it's about 10 hours each way if you go direct. Petosky is also very nice. Just north of there is Harbor Springs, if you get an afternoon, drive the lakeshore thru the "tunnel of trees" very cool drive.

Looking forward to your decision on the wheels and of course, some pictures! take care.