Hi All I currently own a 1996 CE convertible with LT4/6SPD and F45 suspension. A lot of the photos I see of these cars coupe and convertible have the wheels a painted body color (Sebring silver). The wheels on my CE are polished (chrome looking) the option code on my build sheet is QD2 for my wheels. They are the correct size etc. I have seen other CE's on various forums also with the polished/chrome wheels. So I am starting to wonder if there was a rhyme or reason to these cars getting the different wheel from the factory. My theory is this.......LT4 Collector Editions were given a polished wheel package rather than the painted wheels. I could be wrong about this......can anyone else chime in and let me know there thoughts on this? Any help to solving this mystery would be appreciated. Thanks


Life sized pic

(large image modified to link-aapple)


|UPDATED|12/15/2014 10:19:29 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


______________
Russell https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/28801_28900/28812/CE8201522110442r.jpg

The '96 CE came from the factory with silver painted wheels.  The basic wheel design is similar to the black painted versions that came on the '96 Grand Sport, the CE getting slightly narrower version than the GS..  I don't recall there being a chromed wheel option.  Those appear to be after market. 

______________

"Faster, Faster, the lights are turning Red!"

so you have a CE LT4 with the painted wheels?mine are correctly sized but polished. It seems odd to make the change but keep the same size wheels. It could be something to do with being a canadian vehicle. Maybe???? I saw another posting of a car like mine as well for sale from a year or so ago and it had the polished wheels as well. My wheels are the same as the painted but polished.

______________
Russell https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/28801_28900/28812/CE8201522110442r.jpg

ALL factory CE rims were painted. Lots of folks either had theirs chromed/polished, or bought them that way. I have factory rims that have been chromed on my '85. Some people prefer the painted rims, some prefer a lil more bling.

______________

Joel Adams  
My Link

    
(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

A guy in my neighborhood has a set of Chrome Used wheels for sale. P.M. me for more info.

All 1996 Collector Editions came with painted Sebring Silver wheels.  Get yourself a copy of the Corvette Black Book by Mike Antonick.  It tells you what was what.

______________

______________

I have the black book also. Looks like QD2 was the wheel option in 1996 for the Collector Edition. I am just unsure if that meant it was a painted wheel or ??? I guess it must be a painted wheel. Mine must have been polished at some point. They are OEM wheels that much I know. Thanks for your help.

Russell

______________
Russell https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/28801_28900/28812/CE8201522110442r.jpg

My 96 CE has the exact same wheels so they must be correct or we both own a fluke.

______________

Believe me, if the factory had offered those wheels polished or chrome the center caps would match. 

______________

My caps are chrome and match perfectly.

______________

But they don't in the pic at the top...

______________

Enough said. I am new at owning Corvettes so I can't say my car came from the factory with these wheels on it, I just know that mine has them and they sure look stock to me.

______________

Hay guys! New to forums, but very old to GM cars! One thing for sure you will always find that odd ball GM car (Corvettes included) that came from the factory with something different on it! Something it was not supposed to have! On the assembly line if they ran out of a particular part it was replaced with what was available to keep the line moving! Wheels were no exception! As a old GM mechanic, it was not unusual to find different parts on cars. ("If it fits...use it!")

______________

The wheels on my LT1 CE are silver but not same as body color.  The center caps on his chrome wheels are also chrome.  Which would seem to point to factory.

|UPDATED|3/16/2025 11:45:56 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|