Chevette wheel list

( if you want something done, do it yourself :-)

With the help of all the Chevette sufficianados on the planet, I intend to ONCE AND FOR ALL establish a list of wheels that will work successfully on the Chevette.

This page is starting out brand new on July 11, 2001. I hope to find a list of compatible wheels for the Chevette, and establish proof that this list will work perfectly well on the Chevette, or note why not.

The dimensions for the stock Chevette wheel are :

   Measuring from the outer rim to the base of the lug nut hole: 1¼"   ( Outside rim )
    Measuring from the outer rim to the inner mounting surface: 4½"     ( Inside rim )

{  for future reference, these will be the baseline measurements  }

How to measure offset:

Measuring offset is VERY simple. Simply lay a straightedge on the inside inner rim, where the tire mounts. Measure down to the wheel mounting surface. The number that you get will be your offset. As you can see above, the stock Chevette offset is 4½" inches. It is *possible* to install wheels with up to 5 1/8" offset, but there will be some rubbing if you're using large tires. With the addition of some ¼" spacers, that problem will be corrected.

First up, the BMW wheel. 4X100mm bolt pattern, and 14X6 in size. A perfect wheel for the Chevette:

There are a few different versions of this wheel, and there are also 13" versions.

Dimensions for this BMW wheel:     1 5/8"         4  ¾"

Next up, the Accura wheel. 4X100mm bolt pattern, and 14X5½ in size. The inner hole is a very tight fit, and will need to be enlarged a couple of thousandths. Should be no problem with a little effort. The tire shown here is a 195-60-14.  LOTS of clearance !

    ( That is NOT  a hubcap ! It's a good looking wheel in person )

( I didn't get measurements on this one yet, I forgot ) But as you can see from the picture, this "front wheel drive" wheel is not inside the fender well very much. It even appears to be farther out than a stock Chevette rim. So much for the "front wheel drive " offset on this rim.

How about these bad boys ! This is a 16X7" BMW 4X100MM wheel !  The wheel caps and wheel have "Alpina" on them. Don't know what that means, like I have typed before, I'm not a BMW expert. I doubt there is any way to put this wheel on a Chevette, the inside offset is too deep. I have yet to try the thing, but will soon. Also, it will be very difficult and pricey to get a 23" tall 16" tire, and one with reasonable width, probably around 7" or so.

Dimensions for this 16X7 BMW wheel:  2 3/8"    5 1/8"

To see an extensive photo shoot of this wheel on a Chevette, click here. Lots of photos.

UPDATE: I have recently been deluged with offers to buy these wheels. I don't own them, they were on loan to see if they would fit on the Chevette. The man who *did* own them has since sold them in 2001 for $300.

This wheel is the American Racing wheel. I don't have any specs on the thing other than it is a 13" wheel. Good looking wheel if you like 13".

The Pontiac T1000 Alloy wheel.   I have a set of these on my Gold Diesel Chevette. My wife says they look like a "battle shield" that Xena would wield ! I'm not exactly thrilled with them, but I guess they are unique and hard to find.

This nice looking 14X6" wheel can be seen on Shawn Begin's 1984 Diesel Chevette, as seen on the Chevette Zealot page. Shawn bought these new for $50 each ( name of wheel and store to be added later because I forget ), and they look and fit great ! Also, since they are available new, they are pretty easy to find. Shawn also installed a set of 195-60-14 Firestone Firehawk tyres also. Shawn writes:

heya bob!
  I got me some tyres! (tars as you put 'em) Firehawk ss20's. 195/60R14's
like your lamans tyres, but only 6.8" wide and 23.2" in diameter (spec sheet). They're on the car
right now, and damn! does that car handle. I thaught Chevettes sucked at
high speed cornering, but damn, get rid of granny rubber and that thing
flys.

The Wheels on my car are by U.S. Wheels. Got 'em from Summit Racing http://store.summitracing.com I believe they are "FWD only" wheels, and Summit wont give you a part number if you call. U.S. Wheels makes 3 wheels in steel that fit the T chassis. Mine is the cheapest, they are the 64 Series wheels w/o the clunky center caps. part # 64-4641 . Lug nuts are to be had at Autozone. They're plain jane chrome lugs, not even end caps on them. Luckily, I have yet to have any rust from the studs bleeding down the nuts or the wheels.

The ubiquitous Vega GT wheels mounted on the Chevette. Mathew Babey has these mounted on his Canadian Chevette. These wheels are from the Chevrolet Vega GT, and measure in at 13X6 " . I don't have the backspace numbers, but they "fit".

There is  some discrepancy on whether these wheels actually "fit" on the Chevette. The bolt pattern is technically 4X101.6 mm, while the Chevette uses 4X100 mm wheels. More than a few people have used these on the Chevette, some with problems, some without.

Use at your own risk.

How about some Volkswagon GTI wheels ?  On the car.  Silver GTi wheels on the car.

14X6        5 " backspace

Here's some interesting wheels........

Mazda Miata steel wheels. If you're looking for some "factory looking" steel wheels, these things almost look like stock Chevette wheels. However, they are the more desireable 14" size ! Uses stock lug nuts also. You must enlarge the center hole about 1/8", and I used ¼" wheel spacers also for a better "fit". Maybe I'll find some Mazda Miata alloy wheels one of these days. Those are nice.


14X 5½ ",  5  1/8" backspace

Rig 2.  March 29, 02.   185-60HR-14 tires

Another set of Mazda Miata wheels. These are aluminum alloy wheels.   EXTREMELY light.  14X5½" with a 5" backspace. Should work great as is, but I would use the ¼" wheel spacers. Once again, I got real lucky. These wheels are like new, and perfectly straight with no damage whatsoever on them. ( I wonder if Miata drivers are super careful ?  )

  14X5½"   with 5" backspace   Mazda Miata

Check out Dave L.'s  wheel page on Chevette's !  Absolutely exceptional work !

And now for a little " Wheel Talk". ( supplied by the Chevette Forum )
( my comments are in green ) ( note that everyone is now a perfect speller !  :-)

Posted by Max on 8/7/2001, 3:02 am , in reply to "wheelswheelswheelswheelswheelswheels"
24.113.17.43

Editors note:  Now I wish I could find some of   THOSE !!!!  ( editor )

Posted by Dave L on 8/6/2001, 10:35 pm , in reply to "wheelswheelswheelswheelswheelswheels"
209.240.220.156

(  Yep. Big hammer hitting on some wood "might" bend it back. Here in Cincinnati there are some places that specialize in straightening alloy wheels, and even fixing broken ones. You can have that wheel repaired
easily. ) editor

Posted by Ed on 8/6/2001, 9:43 pm , in reply to "wheelswheelswheelswheelswheelswheels"
24.141.24.58

Posted by Dave L on 7/12/2001, 10:07 pm
209.240.221.125

Now this is what I would like to see more of, a little constructive Wheel Talk !

Back