Opinions please - wheel combos on a 69 Camaro
 

Sorry, I know it's been beat to death already but designs, asthetics, technology and opinons change over time.

I'm thinking about changing my wheels to a flat lip to give my car a bigger center section look. For reference, although step lip wheels look great on some cars (67-68s more so), the centers measure 16.5". 18's all aorund are a classic, timeless look IMO. 19 rears offer tire size options and maybe a better cernter section look.

What do you think about a flat lip 19 in the rear? Preference is a balance between MOI function and looks second. John Parsons has explained in detail the size penalty, so I'd try to negate that by a lightweight design.

Whaddaya think?

Well, I've tried this road before and regardless of everybodies opinion I went with what I wanted in the first place. You know this is a personal preference deal Ron but I will toss in my hat here just for ****s and giggles.......never liked the fat lip look......for you I know a minimum of 18's is the minimum so i'm not even going there.........as far as color goes I think all satin black would make that car look mean.......as far as cost and weight savings......you cant beat the GA3R's. My fronts weigh 16 lbs, rears 18.

Thx G. Always good input from you...:thumbsup: So correct on my size preference and still I love that you went your own direction and it works!

Spoke to Forge today - BTW great guys but also really wish Scott was still there - they make lightweight rear hoops if I can make it work w my BS requirements. Combine that w a smaller pad, blind bolt and Ti hardware and I can shave maybe 4lbs off. That's it. Also some of the new designs don't work w my size requirements. Believe that? I was surprised too, but I need to investigate further...

EDIT: Your wheel weights are sick Bro. Fronts are 10 lbs lighter than my current wheels!

Are you referring to Scot Main? Did he leave Forgeline?

Yes he's over at Formula 43 now...

I like a 19 rear a lot more on a 69 than a 67-68 that's for sure.

And I'm not generally a fan of the step lip but it can/does look good on the right setup IMO.

So what are you really thinking here Ron? Will this be your 3rd set of wheels before the car even rolls under its own power? :unibrow:

stay away from black centers or wheels. you lose all definition and might as well be a cheap wheel on there. won't see the difference.

We all have our opinions here, but that's a pretty strong statement... you might lose SOME definition but you surely don't lose ALL definition..... these look pretty bad ass to me and I can see pretty good definition in the spokes/centers...

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...eCamaro002.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...52622899_n.jpg

I grew to hate my 19" rear fat lip wheel.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ck1969/1-1.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...969/LG28-1.jpg

It was just to damn big. With a narrowed rear AND a fat lip, it looks more like a 20 or bigger. Ya, that front wheel is an 18!

Stepped wheels for life.....ha

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ck1969/009.jpg

Todd is the front 18x8 with 5" backspacing?

It was an 18x8.5 on a 5.25"(I think). 255mm tire I could dig through my file if it's important.

Hey Ron, I've been thinking about this also lately and have been asking myself the same exact questions. Same dilemma on sizing also. Amazing how many beautiful wheels out there nowadays are only made in 20" and larger. WTF? I have the 18" front and 19" rear with fatlip on my 69 which sounds like something you're considering. Initially, the 19" rear limited my selection of tires, but nowadays there are plenty of 19" tires available so it's not really an issue. Like you, I like the fatlip because I think it gives you a little more bang for the buck in terms of appearance, as you were mentioning, however the step lip gives you more clearance on the inside for the bigger brakes and steering knuckle/tie rod ends(if applicable), and the step lip seems to be more of a performance option. It seems like you're leaning towards a fatlip setup with a 19" rear with some options for weight reduction. I think that will look sharp and should function nicely also. If you're looking for every ounce of performance you can get and plan to compete to win(versus competing for the fun of it), then you might consider 18's on all four corners with a step lip performance rim(unless you need that 19" rim for a certain tire like OneLapCamaro and RedDevil). In regards to paint/finish on the rims, that all depends on the wheel and how much bling you have on your car. If you're running chrome bumpers and have some other chrome trim, and given your color, I think brushed centers with a polished ring would look good, but also a gun metal painted center would look great also given your car's color. Just keep going to the car shows, and browse Google Images and the rest of the web, and you'll have to decide for yourself! It's not an easy decision I know. :thumbsup:

It's funny how we're all different. Todd and I share a LOT of common opinions, but I actually grew to love my 19" rear fat lip. So, Ron, it's all up to you buddy! Don't screw it up. :lol:

There you have it. I didn't know Chris' car had 19's on the back and it looks good. Backspacing is crucial in the decision. I do agree with tire choices being better in a 19" rear nowadays.

yep, personal tastes are what they are. But I can look at all those black center wheels and find an inexpensive wheel and get the same effect less the deep tub. To me its like a diamond on a ring. It could be cubic zirconium, but you have to get up close to tell the difference.

There's looks and then there is performance. I've seen a wheel break at one of our events and it could spell disaster. When I'm in 4th gear on the road course, I'll take the Forgelines. :yes:

I do agree that black wheels tend to disappear. They are much better in person than in most photos. Here's a picture that makes them look pretty damn good. The photo at RTTC does exactly as you are describing.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ck1969/012.jpg

Your's works, mine didn't. :unibrow:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...58c0e93d_b.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...15ef6417_b.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...DSC01705-1.jpg

The above are certainly close to your exterior color, but you obviously could go a little darker if you don't want black centers.


The Manning/DSE car certainly went a different route on the centers.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...towire_JPG.jpg



http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...en-10-098L.jpg

Ron,
You have a lot to consider when switching from a stepped lip to a flatlip wheel. Your automaticly gaining wheel weight due to the larger center size.
I agree on certain applications the flatlip looks great but for performance, the stepped lip is the way to go.
At Formula 43 we have developed an exclusive spin form technology that allows us to make an inner rim shell that is up to 2 lbs lighter than our competition. All of our engineering is targeted at building the strongest, stiffest and most light weight wheel possible. Take a look at the video for a better understanding of how we manufacture our inner and outer rim shells.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5w3e...layer_embedded

And Todd, your car is still one of the cleanest 1st generation Camaros ever built IMO!!

I love the look of matte bronze wheels. Maybe it comes from my early years following the import scene, but the wheels I've always loved are the Ray's TE37's in bronze.

Todd... That's a monstrous lip on those wheels. How narrow was the rear end and what's the back spacing/lip on those things??

Ron, I like the look your talking about. I have an idea kicking around in my head as well. :_paranoid

Todd, love the looks of your car both ways. Performance wise yes the step lipped 18's are the ticket but to say you hated the fat lips boy did that thing look sick with those on!! :thumbsup:

Thanks to all for chipping in. I'm really a classic guy when it comes to wheel styles and trying to stay true to the original render. Anything too wild and they look 'last year' quick.

It's really a diillema when trying to achieve balance of performance vs. styling. I wouldn't have even started this thread if I could get the DE3S in an 18" front. I'd be all set, but Forgeline only makes them in 19" and up.

So I started thinking:

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...rgelineDE3.jpg

Following Scott's logic, I could go with the GWC3 w lightweight rim shells and Ti hardware and save a few lbs:

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/a...hread/GWC3.jpg

...but I have very similar rims right now. HRE makes what I want, but easily $2k retail more total.

Keep the ideas flowing! :cheers:

Now those are excellent examples of bad ass wheels. :thumbsup:

It's very tough but you are going through the right process Ron... HRE makes outstanding wheels, but are they $2k better than Forgeline? Doubtful.

I really like that lightweight GWC3 on your car. :cheers:

See, doesn't that help? :lol:

Picking the wheel is 40% of the battle. The remainder will be color combination. Good luck with that one. :D

Ron be sure to get what you really want,I changed my order 3 times,the look of the wheels are so important on your car.I really like the fat lips,but like everyone says we all have opinions.Your building a super nice car so if it takes a little longer get what you really want it will be worth it.

I went with the 18/19 combo on my 68. My only reason for doing this was I wanted a 26.5-27 tire because I believe it fills the round wheel well on the 67/8's better. I don't think the 69's need the extra inch tire. Here are some pictures of mine they are GZ3's. They are 19x12 with 335/30/19 tires.

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...-53-53_921.jpg

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/r...-24-38_565.jpg

this thread is also very helpful for me

I in the black club since I'm low maintenance and more into the car than the wheel. When a car is being closely scrutinized the attention to detail is more apperant. Rolling down the road it's basically a color hue.

If I was picking wheels for your car I'd lean dark charcoal or black centers, but as said it's personal preference, you can't please everyone but you can please yourself. :unibrow:

My clunker with 18" V40's
http://sieg.smugmug.com/Cars/69-Cama...IMAG1695-L.jpg

Thanks Todd. I appreciate it if you could get the specs. The reason why I am asking is that the previous owner of my 68 camaro had put 17x7 or 7.5 as per him with a 4 inch backspacing. I have noticed that there were some rubbing areas at the bottom side of the front fender lips. Apparently the rear of the front tires rub the bottom area of the front fender lips when making turns on bumpy roads.

I ordered new set of Fikse wheels, the front is 18x8 with 5" backspacing, 245/40 tires. I don't know if with the 5" BS will eliminate the rubbing issues.

I plan to put the new wheels on once I finish with bodywork and paint.

Scott, that's a hell of a compliment. Maybe we'll get a set of Formula 43's on this baby one day. :cheers: I've been kicking around a wheel change.

track only tires aside.....

in performance street tires, 17's are yesterday's news. and 18's seem to be fading away.

wide(315's or bigger) 26" diameter tires just look too short and stumpy under the back of a 69. and with my 1" diameter stagger front to rear, I would have to run a 25" front tire. now, there goes another 3/4" of ground clearance that I don't have. :willy:

I would love an affordable, non drag radial, 27"-28" diameter rear tire to fit a 11"-12" wide 18" diameter rim. but it isn't out there. it seems that 19" is the min diameter that you can get a nice wide rear tire in now that is more than 26" tall. yep, lots of options in 19's and 20's. :yes:

I know you track guys hate it, but 19's and 20's are the here and now.

Not in Formula One or ALMS, they typically run taller sidewalls, why is that?

Your looking at 17" rims with tires under 26" tall. These look short and stumpy to you?

http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/a...eCamaro004.jpg

If there ever was a pic to convert someone to 17's ... that would be it. :cool: ³

Yep, I'd take a 17" over a 19 or 20. I do agree about tires. The best street tires are naturally going to popular modern sports car sizes.

I am a little late to the party but what is new
 

I personally like the step lip design and it gives more room from brakes. A 335/30/19 is right at 27 inches tall and has the same sidewall height of a 275/35/18 which is around 26 inches. I also like the stagger 18/19 on a 69 Camaro.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...c3_low_res.jpg

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...7b_low_res.jpg

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...86_low_res.jpg

Perfect combo right there..... That step lip and less backspace than mine makes the 19" work. :thumbsup:

That combo looks great. :thumbsup:

Agreed. The debate is settled in my mind...:cheers: