Your Classic Car Parts Headquarters
This technical article will help you identify the different wheels on 1955-1964 Chevrolet cars. With this article, you will have the data and information to identify the wheels you need for your vehicle.
There are a total of eight different wheels for these years. The 1963 models were the only model year to have four different wheels. Early 1963 model wheels were the same as the 1962 wheels. Later 1963 model wheels were the same as the 1964 wheels. There are at least two of every wheel that should help you identify a wheel. Below is a list of identifying characteristics for each wheel.
Image 1, 2: I want to explain each item on the list. There are several important measurements. The "wheel diameter" is the distance that matches the opening of the tire. You have to approximate with the tape measure where this distance starts and ends. (See Photo 1.) The "wheel width" is the distance between the tire beads as measured in Photo 2. This is also an approximate length because the wheel curves in this area.
Image 3: To compare the wheels in this article, measure the "backspacing" distance by lying the wheel on a flat surface and measure from the flat surface to the top of the inner wheel disk as seen in Photo 3.
Image 4, 5, 6: All of the wheels are two-piece wheels that are either riveted or welded together. The 1955 and early 1956 wheels were the last of the riveted wheels for cars. (See Photo 4.) Starting with most 1956 wheels, GM welded the two together for fewer leaks and reduced costs. (See Photo 5.) The only difference between the 1955 and 1956 wheels is that the 1956 wheels have a small extra "bead" where the small hubcap snapped into (See Photo 6.)
Image 7, 8: Some of the wheels have slots that are hard to measure, so the measurements are approximate, but close. The number and length of the slot are given for those wheels that have slots. The 1957 wheel was the only wheel listed in this article that did not have slots.
Image 9, 10: I believe that every wheel was supposed to have a "GM" stamping on the center disk, but it is often faint or missing. There were two types of stampings. Most 1955-1958 wheels that I have seen have the "G" and the "M" separated by a lug hole. (See Photo 9.) Most of the 1959-1964 wheels that I have seen have the "GM" together on a raised area of the center disk. (See Photo 10.)
Image 11, 12: The 1955-1961 wheels had four nubs to secure the large wheel covers. (See Photo 11.) The 1962-1964 wheels do not have nubs to secure the full wheel covers, but had a number of nubs stamped in the outer edge of the wheel, just above the valve stem hole. (See Photo 12.)
Chevrolet states in literature, such as the "Finger-Tip Facts" books, that starting in 1959, a 6-inch wide wheel was standard on station wagons and that the tire for this car was the wider tire. Since the 1962-1964 "Finger-Tip Facts" books also state that the cars with 409 engines used the wider tires, folklore has evolved, but it is not true, that 409 cars also had the 6-inch wheels. From page 47 of the "1964 Finger-Tip Facts" book Chevrolet states "8.00 x 14 standard on Station Wagons and 409-cu.-in. VB-equipped models." Our belief, unless literature is found to the contrary, will be that 1962-1964 cars with "409" engines will be judged as correct with either the 5-inch or 6-inch wheels.
Used on all models. Riveted two-piece wheel for 1955 and early 1956. Most of the 1956 wheels were welded two-piece wheels. Has four nubs to hold the hubcap. Has 3 15/16-inch backspacing. Has four slots: 5/16-inch wide and 5 inches long. First drop is 1 1/16-inches and there is no 2nd drop. Miscellaneous notes: Most have a G and M stamped in the front center, usually across one of the lug holes.
Used on all models. Welded two-piece wheel. Has four nubs to hold the hubcap. Has 3 15/16-inch back spacing. Has no slots. First drop is 1 3/4-inches and there is no 2nd drop. Miscellaneous notes: Most have a G and M stamped in the front center, usually across one of the lug holes.
Used on all models. Welded two-piece wheel. Has four nubs to hold the hubcap. Has 3 15/16-inch backspacing. Has four slots: 1/8-inch wide and 3 1/2 inches long. First drop is 1 13/16-inches and there is no 2nd drop. Miscellaneous notes: Most have a G and M stamped in the front center, usually across one of the lug holes.
Used on all models, except station wagons. Welded two-piece wheel. Has four nubs to hold the hubcap. Has 4-inch backspacing. Has four slots: 1/2-inch wide and 4 3/4 inches long. First drop is 1 3/4-inches and there is no 2nd drop. Miscellaneous notes: Most have a GM stamped in the front center on one of the raised areas between two of the lug holes. May have "Kelsey Hayes" and "14 x 5.00" stamped on the where the inner tube would be located.
Used on station wagons. Welded two-piece wheel. Has four nubs to hold the hubcap. Has 4-inch backspacing. Has four slots: 1/2-inch wide and 4 3/4 inches long. First drop is 1 3/4-inches and the 2nd drop is about 1-inch. Miscellaneous notes: Most have a GM stamped in the front center on one of the raised areas between two of the lug holes. May have "Kelsey Hayes" and "14 x 6JK" stamped on the where the inner tube would be located.
Used on all models, except station wagons and maybe "409" cars. Welded two-piece wheel. Has no nubs. Has 4-inch backspacing. Has four slots: 1/2-inch wide and 5 inches long. First drop is 1 3/4-inches and the 2nd drop is about 1/8-inch. Miscellaneous notes: Most have a GM stamped in the front center, on one of the raised areas between two of the lug holes. May have "Kelsey Hayes" and "14 x 6" stamped on the where the inner tube would be located. Has a number of small nubs stamped in the side just above the valve stem hole.
Used on station wagons and maybe "409" cars. Welded two-piece wheel. Has no nubs. Has 4-inch backspacing. Has four slots: 1/2-inch wide and 4 3/4 inches long. First drop is 1 3/4-inches and the 2nd drop is about 1-inch. Miscellaneous notes: Most have a GM stamped in the front center, on one of the raised areas between two of the lug holes. May have "Kelsey Hayes" and "14 x 6" stamped on the where the inner tube would be located. Has a number of small nubs stamped in the side just above the valve stem hole. Chevrolet used this wheel through the 1968 models.
Used on all models, except station wagons and maybe "409" cars. Welded two-piece wheel. Has no nubs. Has 4-inch backspacing. Has four slots: 1/2-inch wide and 5 inches long. First drop is 1 1/8-inches and the 2nd drop is about 1/2-inch. Miscellaneous notes: The most significant distinguishing feature about this wheel is that there is a 3/8-inch wide "valley" at the bottom of the first drop. The "valley" is shallow, but very noticeable. Most have a GM stamped in the front center, on one of the raised areas between two of the lug holes. May have "Kelsey Hayes" and "14 x 5" stamped on the where the inner tube would be located. Has a number of small nubs stamped in the side just above the valve stem hole. Chevrolet used this wheel through the 1968 models.
Used on station wagons and maybe "409" cars. Welded two-piece wheel. Has no nubs. Has 4-inch backspacing. Has four slots: 1/2-inch wide and 5 inches long. First drop is 1 1/8-inches and the 2nd drop is about 1 1/4-inches. Miscellaneous notes: The most significant distinguishing feature about this wheel is that there is a 3/8-inch wide "valley" at the bottom of the first drop. The "valley" is shallow, but very noticeable. Most have a GM stamped in the front center, on one of the raised areas between two of the lug holes. We have seen many (not all) of these wheels with a 1/8-inch hole in one of the raised areas between two lug holes.
Chevrolet used this wheel through the 1968 models. Original date: May 2006