What Color Were Original Steel Wheels

[35boulder]

Hey all. What color were the original steel wheels on a 1969 base model truck?
Body color, silver, or possibly white like my top? Thanks

[toolboxchev]

My C-20 originals were white, 16.5 rims. Have seen a lot more on here the same. I believe some may have been different.

[BLT gmc]

The white is GM521 or Ditzler2185
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['68OrangeSunshine]

The OEM 17.5" steel wheels on my '68 Orange C/10 stepside were Argent Silver from the factory. Later, in the Late '70s I painted them white -- matched the white front grille.

[FirstOwner69]

In the picture below of my 3/4 ton chassis, the front wheel is the original white paint. I painted the rear with RustOleum gloss white in the early 70s. The 1/2 tons were also white, but I'm not sure they were as bright a white as the 3/4 tons. The whites mentioned by BLT gmc have been posted as correct in other threads.

[John H.]

My 1969 GMC custom 1/2 ton with full wheel covers had silver metal wheels under the covers. It had 25k one owner miles.

November built St Louis factory

[special-K]

I guess there were exceptions, but 68 and 69 came with silver wheels, bumpers, and hubcaps. When you find a 69-72 style hubcap that is silver it is from a '69. I use rallye wheel paint, but factory paint had smaller metallic. There are closer matches

[35boulder]

Thanks to all for the information and for replying. Best

[NoNeck]

Our '68 Blue stepper had original paint silver wheels. The '70 GMC had white wheels. It may have been silver '67 and '68s then white from '69 to '72? Not sure...

POP

[michael bustamante]

my 67 had the original orange steel wheels

[factorystock]

'69 was a transition year from earlier '68 wheel colors. Most 1969 pickups were same as '68, wheels were painted argent silver for 2WD's and black for 4WD's. Chevy began to standardize on white wheel color for all 2 and 4WD's late in the '69 model year production run. This will answer why most were argent silver and some were white. 1 tons were always black. Special orders and fleets usually had there own paint color requirements.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by factorystock

'69 was a transition year from earlier '68 wheel colors. Most 1969 pickups were same as '68, wheels were painted argent silver for 2WD's and black for 4WD's. Chevy began to standardize on white wheel color for all 2 and 4WD's late in the '69 model year production run. This will answer why most were argent silver and some were white. 1 tons were always black. Special orders and fleets usually had there own paint color requirements.

That is not consistent with the wheels that were on my 69 3/4 ton when new as can be seen in the picture I posted in post 5. The front wheel shown is original paint. The rear oversized aftermarket wheel was black when I put it on in 1970, but I painted it white soon after. The truck was an early production 69 made in Dec., 1968. Mine are 16.5" wheels. However, the half tons may have been silver, and I'm almost certain the split rim wheels were silver. The wheels shown post 11 look like they may be split rims. Not sure about the 2WD vs. 4WD thing. That bumper also appears white which contradicts what special-K said in post 7.

Gotta love a mystery!

[davischevy]

My dad bought a new 68 half ton with silver wheels. He bought a new 69 half ton with white wheels. Both had chrome front bumpers and chrome hubcaps.

[mike16]

my 68 k20 has black wheels and silver rings

my 72 c10 has white rims

both trucks are factory white