Correct GMC vs. Chevy Truck Wheels, 1960-66

[1960HDGMC]

Hello, I would like to know the applications of all the variants of the GM 6-Lug Wheels. They are Kelsey Hayes stamped steel disc type. We need good pictures of known original wheels to each of the trucks that used these type wheels, GMC and Chevrolet. Cameo Trucks may have slightly different wheels than standard trucks. Wheel size, year by year may vary. I have what I believe to be factory correct wheels on my 1960 GMC 1002 Custom WideSide pickup. I will post a picture of them also. The literature on the 1960 GMC that I have concerning wheels is also here. Please post similar info from other year models you have. We can get a pool of info that will be a source of good info. on these different wheels. Any insights greatly appreciated, Greg Mead

[jbgroby]

Hi,

I can tell you that when the trucks first rolled out for us sales, the correct hub caps were the 1959 versions with the red painted gmc in the center. I have the very first gmc ad ( two-tone light blue and white with chrome trim) 2 page ad, it clearly shows those caps. You can buy them from LMC/ brothers etc.

Jake
LAcombe, la

[GMCNUT]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

Hi,

I can tell you that when the trucks first rolled out for us sales, the correct hub caps were the 1959 versions with the red painted gmc in the center. I have the very first gmc ad ( two-tone light blue and white with chrome trim) 2 page ad, it clearly shows those caps. You can buy them from LMC/ brothers etc.

Jake
LAcombe, la

Jake, I know what ad you are talking about, but there are a lot of oddities in GMC ads and photos where they were making changes and adding or subtracting non-production parts. Production of the red centered caps ended in 1957 and the Blue ones started with the 1958 model year - there were never any 58's, 59's nor 1960 GMC ever produced off the assembly line with red centered caps.

[Funky61]

Courtesy of Arthur Throckmorton:
http://www.gmcguy.com/gmc_hubcaps_wh..._and_rims.html

and another discussion on wheels;
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=613031

[1960HDGMC]

Finally found the comparison pics I took of the wheels, side by side. The black wheel is 1/2 inch wider. It is GMC from 1960. The wheel on right is Chevrolet from the era of 1960-66. These pictures show the differences in the two of the most commonly seen wheels on 1/2 ton GMC and Chevy trucks from 1960-62. The differences are subtle from 50 feet away. But up close they are very different. Note that the Chevy wheel has the "Nubbins" along the outside edge,perhaps to hold beauty rings or full wheel hubcaps. The GMC wheel does not have them. If someone knows the exact year model of the Chevy wheel, please let me know. Thanks for any help, Greg Mead

[GMCNUT]

The Aqua colored wheel is what most people would call a 55-59 wheel, but I have seen them on 1960 Apaches too. The Black wheel is the same as used on a 57-59 and is a re-shaped version of the one on the right, to accommodate the optional fluted deluxe model wheel trim rings commonly seen on Cameos. All the 1960-61 GMC's I ever saw had the 3 clip wheel pictured here instead of these Cameo type wheels, but anything could be correct depending on assembly plant.

[1960HDGMC]

The wheel pic you just added. I see it has the little "Nubbins" near the outer rim. The inner profile is changed from the 1960 GMC wheel. What year and make is it? Was it used for multiple years? If it is 1961, then the first year 1960 GMC trucks had a one year only wheel. Would explain why they are seldom seen, by me anyway.
I am adding the 1960 GMC Paint Regulations and a Color Chart. They show the colors that the wheels were painted in 1960. They sort of matched them to the truck colors, sort of. Thanks, Greg Mead

[1960HDGMC]

Just a thought, but maybe the early production of the new 1960 GMC trucks used up the remaining wheels. My truck is a very early production, like within the first 1500 produced in Pontiac. Maybe the famously thrifty company shipped new 1960 GMC trucks with two different wheel types. I have always thought the picture of the trucks ( on a trailer) at the top of this thread had to be early production. That would explain them having the earlier type wheels. It is just that I have not seen any literature with the newer wheel shown. But the art work was done early also. Does any one have a picture of a 1960 with either of these wheels, that is known to have its factory wheels? They sure would help iron these wheels out. Thanks, Greg Mead

[GMCNUT]

Originally Posted by 1960HDGMC

Just a thought, but maybe the early production of the new 1960 GMC trucks used up the remaining wheels. My truck is a very early production, like within the first 1500 produced in Pontiac. Maybe the famously thrifty company shipped new 1960 GMC trucks with two different wheel types. I have always thought the picture of the trucks ( on a trailer) at the top of this thread had to be early production. That would explain them having the earlier type wheels. It is just that I have not seen any literature with the newer wheel shown. But the art work was done early also. Does any one have a picture of a 1960 with either of these wheels, that is known to have its factory wheels? They sure would help iron these wheels out. Thanks, Greg Mead

The light Blue wheel is one of a full set I bought off an untouched but horrifically rotted 1960 GMC in Michigan. Only untouched 1960 GMC I ever found with all four on it, but I have another untouched 1960 GMC in the pasture and to be honest, I never even looked at the wheels to see what is on it, but will ride over and take pictures tomorrow. Josh is selling me his 1960 GMC and it has 3 of the 4 originals seems like and if I recall correctly, they are the same as my light blue example. My 1960 GMC Suburban came to me with 3 like the light blue one, and one like the aqua 55-57 wheel we discussed earlier. So far none I have stumbled on have had what I have started calling the "Cameo" type wheels. Incidentally, I need a set of 4 15" Cameo style wheels like your 60 has for my 58 Cameo, so please keep your eyes peeled. The Cameo came to me with all four of these same exact wheels you have on your 1960, but all four were pitted and too rotted to use unfortunately. I still have all 4 though

[GMCNUT]

Here is a picture of the front factory wheel on Josh Quillen's (soon to be mine) 1960 GMC - it is the same as the light blue example above. 3 clips like a 55-59 wheel, but not the same as the 55-57 or 57-59 variations of the Kelsey Hayes wheels. This one has been observed (by me) on several 1960-61 GMC's as being GMC specific and apprears to be 60-61 specific. Chevrolet did not use this wheel in 1960 which was the last year of clip type wheels for Chevy - in 1960 Chevy re-used the 55-57 type like the Aqua example above. 1961 Chevrolet trucks were the first year to get the new "nub" type wheels w/ no hubcap clips.

There is some evidence to suggest that 58-59 GMC's also used the wheel you see on Josh's truck - I have not successfully completed my research on that yet - if so, that would easily explain why we see them on 60-61 trucks - a carryover item for GMC so to speak.