"New" wheels on the Vette- long Story -Thanks Big Bear tire

[ffvetteman]

For the first time ever, I hit a curb last week. I took the round about in Hales Corners a bit too fast and hit the curb pretty hard. The only damage was to the right front rim and threw off the alignment pretty bad on that corner. The damage to the rim:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4342-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4343.jpg

Some how the tire held air and I drove it home.

Now, I am trying to decide what to do. I can find a stock rim to replace it for pretty cheap. Or I have a set of ARE aluminum 5 stars sitting in my garage that came off my other 84 Corvette. The "new" in the title is because the rims are far from new, as I have had them for over 10 years and I am sure they are long out of production. The problem is that I dont want to sped a ton of money on tires. The ARE's are 17x9.5 front and 17x11 rear.

Did some searching and found Sumotomo's for a great price. Do some searching on quality, and although they done seem the best for performance, it seems they will suit my needs on this car, espically the price.

I get in touch with Josh(Turtle) who works at Big Bear Tire and he does his magic, getting tires at a great price. They got them in stock the next day and they were intalled on the rims that day.

Now time for an unsolicited plug for Big Bear Tire in Oconomowoc. Marty and Josh were great. They do quality work, got an incredible price, and have the greatest service I have ever recieved. I dont take cars in for service too often, but from now on for tires, Big Bear will be my first choise. A very big thank you to Marty, Josh and all employees at Big Bear.

Now time for the pics:
1894 Corvette, sotck rims, BFG Comp TA 255/50/16

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4338.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4340.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4339.jpg

[ffvetteman]

Now the new:
Same car, American Racing rims, Sumotomo 275/40/17 front 315/35/17 rear

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4346.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4347.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4348.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4350.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4349.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4351.jpg

So what do you all think? Better? Worse?

I think it look great.

[SmokinRAM114]

them look awesome i like that body stil vette with a little dish in the wheels

[1siksrt]

looking good

[ffvetteman]

them look awesome i like that body stil vette with a little dish in the wheels


Thanks,and I agree that the dish makes them look great.

In fact, my Dad was upset when I took those rims off my other Vette and put the black GS rims on it. Now I think he will be happy when he sees the rims have come back!!!!

[GTSLOW]

I bet now your glad you dinged that wheel. Gave ya a reason to upgrade which looks great! :thumbsup

[Poncho]

It actually looks really good w/ the "TYPICAL" period correct wheels.

[Yooformula]

wow looks alot better. good to hear to were treated well by Turtle.

[84hurst]

gotta ask, what else you got under those car covers in the background? more corvettes? :shades

[Flicktitty]

Looks alot better! just needs a little drop.

[CobraSnake]

For the first time ever, I hit a curb last week. I took the round about in Hales Corners a bit too fast and hit the curb pretty hard. The only damage was to the right front rim and threw off the alignment pretty bad on that corner. The damage to the rim:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4342-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/ffvetteman/1984%20Corvette/100_4343.jpg

Some how the tire held air and I drove it home.

Now, I am trying to decide what to do. I can find a stock rim to replace it for pretty cheap. Or I have a set of ARE aluminum 5 stars sitting in my garage that came off my other 84 Corvette. The "new" in the title is because the rims are far from new, as I have had them for over 10 years and I am sure they are long out of production. The problem is that I dont want to sped a ton of money on tires. The ARE's are 17x9.5 front and 17x11 rear.

Did some searching and found Sumotomo's for a great price. Do some searching on quality, and although they done seem the best for performance, it seems they will suit my needs on this car, espically the price.

I get in touch with Josh(Turtle) who works at Big Bear Tire and he does his magic, getting tires at a great price. They got them in stock the next day and they were intalled on the rims that day.

Now time for an unsolicited plug for Big Bear Tire in Oconomowoc. Marty and Josh were great. They do quality work, got an incredible price, and have the greatest service I have ever recieved. I dont take cars in for service too often, but from now on for tires, Big Bear will be my first choise. A very big thank you to Marty, Josh and all employees at Big Bear.

Now time for the pics:
1894 Corvette, sotck rims, BFG Comp TA 255/50/16


wow that vette is OLD!!

[6forwardgears]

wow that vette is OLD!!

Haha, that's what I was going to say.

The people of the time must have thought it was straight out of a Jules Vern novel. :rolf

[MoCkiN U]

Glad you had luck at big bear. I wouldnt take a moped there for tires. Had 2 friends have the worst experience when it came for them to cover the product they sold

[scaleracer]

gotta ask, what else you got under those car covers in the background? more corvettes? :shades

I was wondering the same thing! But the rims look nice and you did a good amount of damage to the other rim!

[That_Guy]

Lookin Good.

[Yooformula]

you do have to polish those rims up though!

[LIZMO]

they look a hundred times better!

[WickedSix]

wheels and tires look awesome :thumbsup

[ffvetteman]

Yes the car needs to be cleaned and the rims need a hardcore polishing. The rims were sitting in the garage for 8 years in boxes. I just pulled them out and got the tires.

The car will get detailed pretty soon.

As for under the covers, yes more Corvettes, 2 MGBs and a 86 Trans Am. My little car collection.:)

[ffvetteman]

wow that vette is OLD!!


I like old cars, they are better.

[Mr Twigbert]

It don't look bad but I think you could have chose a better looking rim.. But don't look bad by any means..

[GRAMPS SS]

sweeeeeeeet love the look....

[ffvetteman]

It don't look bad but I think you could have chose a better looking rim.. But don't look bad by any means..


I didnt choose them. They came on my blue car when I bought it and I took them off when I bought the GS rims. They have been in the garage for about 8 years.

I like them alot, and I dont think there is much better besides GS or ZR-1 5 star rims.

All in all I think a great mod for under $500.