'68 shortbed stock steel wheel color?

[x33d80]

Just picked up an unmolested '68 shortbed custom cab with the stock 6 lug steel wheels and was wondering if anyone knows what color the wheels were originally painted? I am very well versed in Camaro lore, and know that steel wheels on camaros and other chevrolets of the time period were painted body color. I was assuming that trucks were too, but after really looking at mine it would appear the wheels are an argent silver like rally wheels. Granted my wheels are somewhat rusty, but they do not appear to be painted saddle fawn and do not look like they have ever been re-painted. I have seen some trucks with the wheels painted the body color, so I was wondering maybe if on certain colors, the wheels were body color and on others they were silver? Going for a stock look with the only mod being an ECE suspension 4 / 6 drop. Thanks!

[CircusWagonJim]

Just look at the post below on Reggie Jackson's all original '68 half-ton. Shows you right there silver is the way to go!

[x33d80]

Thanks for the heads up Jim! Does appear that silver is the way to go.

[68Stepbed]

I beleive, but not positive, that most were painted white or black. Silver may have been an option though. What color is your truck? I tend to like body colored steelies.

[special-K]

I think it depended on body color and trim package. Like the grille on CSTs. But,argent silver was definitely one of the colors. I'm not sure,but I think black was only '67 and in '68 it was silver or white?

[burkeens]

My uncle (PO) told me the wheels on my 68 longbed were silver when new, same as the grill was.

[chewychevy67]

my 67 lwb was black and had black wheels and my 67 swb was red with with a white top and the wheels were red. they both had factory paint on the body not sure bout the red wheels but the black wheels on the lwb were definately the original wheels. the original owner was a good friend of my dad. black truck had full wheel covers from new as well.

[72BlckButy]

Would like to see some pics of your new project.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by x33d80

Thanks for the heads up Jim! Does appear that silver is the way to go.

This is the correct info. American built 1968 C 10's and C20's 2WD's used argent silver rims, regardless of body color or colors. Obviously, special order paint jobs, such as fleets or goverment vehicles would be the exception.

[674x4ton]

What would the color have been in 67? On the stock wheels

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by factorystock

This is the correct info. American built 1968 C 10's and C20's 2WD's used argent silver rims, regardless of body color or colors. Obviously, special order paint jobs, such as fleets or goverment vehicles would be the exception.

It's not easy trying to be a purist, its details like this that are driving me nuts trying to write a C10 Spotter's Guide and fit it all into 5 magazine pages. I have an original owner '68 GMC, and the wheels are white. So, are GMCs the exception from the rule? You're absolutely right, there are exceptions.

Also the chrome hubcaps on Reggie Jackson's C10 are listed on the spid as an option which got me to wondering if base model hubcaps came on white wheels, and chrome caps got argent silver?

... I think I'll just go find a set of mags.

[burkeens]

got me to wondering if base model hubcaps came on white wheels, and chrome caps got argent silver?

FWIW, my 68 C-10 came with the base caps and argent silver wheels (which are still on the truck), says the original owner, my uncle. I have a magazine ad from the period that shows the same thing.

[x33d80]

Really appreciate all the responses and will try to get some pics up soon. The truck is a saddle fawn (code 525) custom cab short bed with the original 307 and 3 on the tree. The original wheels are a little rusty with most of the paint about gone. Thats why it's kind of hard to tell if they were argent silver or saddle fawn. Thanks guys for a great board!

[CircusWagonJim]

I cannot see that truck wheels were ever color matched for the reason being it would cause way too much trouble on the assembly line. Maybe at times they were Silver, White or Black- but still they were just being pulled as needed- not being painted for a specific truck.

Being overly detailed I've seen many of the wheels that were Argent/Silver on the face were black on the back and inside the tire mounting area. Back in the older days '55-'57 Car wheels were color matched to the vehicles, but again only on the face- the backs and inside were black. Nit-picky restorations will have the wheels correctly black on the back with overspray of the body colored fronts showing on the black.

All this might mean the wheels were ALL dipped black to seal them- them painted on the face as needed. Pretty sure Argent/Silver Ralley wheels show black under the silver and on the back as well.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 674x4ton

What would the color have been in 67? On the stock wheels

Wheel color is year and model specific. The rules of '67 are different from the rules of '68 -'69 and the rules of '70 thru '72. '67 2WD 1/2 ton solid body color, wheels are gloss black. If tu tone paint, wheels are body color. If 4X4, wheels are gloss black.

[stllookn]

Wheel color is year and model specific. The rules of '67 are different from the rules of '68 -'69 and the rules of '70 thru '72.

Isn't that the truth. I am doing a 99 pt. restoration. I have a factory brochure showing an optional wheel color that was not listed and/or shown anywhere. I can't wait for the unveiling when I get this truck done.