WHEELS

Both U.S. and Hong Kong wheels came in a variety of sizes ranging in small, medium and large. From 1968 through the end of 1969, the wheels produced in both the U.S. and Hong Kong were a bearing type that was pressed over a Delrin bushing. From 1970 to the end of 1972, a new type of capped wheel and a new, smoother suspension was used in both U.S. and Hong Kong castings. From time to time, a 1968 or 1969 casting made in 1970 that would normally have bearing type wheels has been found with either a combination of bearing and capped wheels or where all four wheels are capped. This merely indicates a transition from the bearing type to the capped wheel type and in some cases may demand a small premium in value over the traditional counter part due to it being a variation. Being wheel types and styles differ between the U.S. and Hong Kong, the information here will help explain these distinctions. 

The U.S. redline wheel in its early production had tapered chrome mag spokes with a red stripe embossed on the outer perimeter. Shortly into production and continuing on until the end of U.S. produced bearing type wheels, the chrome on the mag spokes was replaced by a silvery matte finish. Funny enough, the chrome mag spokes made their return for a short time in the very late stage of production and are found only on a handful of U.S. castings. These are easily identifiable as the mag spokes appear squarer when compared to the earlier tapered mag spokes and look nothing like the common U.S. wheel with the silver matte finish.

The Hong Kong redline wheel in its early production had chrome mag spokes with a thinner red stripe embossed on the outer perimeter then the U.S. style. Because of the force of the strike in producing the wheel itself, there tends to be a more recessed impression of the mag spokes giving the wheel a “deep dish” like appearance. These deep dish wheels as collectors have coined them, come in two styles. One style has a flat side wall and the second has a rounded side wall. The rounded style deep dish wheel has been given the name “bubble gum deep dish” by collectors. The “deep dish” appearance is indicative of early Hong Kong produced cars and shortly into production, this force subsided leaving the wheel’s appearance as it is most commonly found still with chrome mag spokes and a thinner red stripe.

The U.S. capped wheel style is made with chrome mag spokes and a thicker or heavier red stripe around the perimeter when compared to the Hong Kong made capped wheel. Usually it is very difficult to differentiate U.S. from Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong capped wheel style resembles the U.S. capped style wheel with only one slight distinction. This being that the Hong Kong wheel has a thinner or lighter red stripe around the perimeter of the chrome mag spokes. Usually it is very difficult to differentiate Hong Kong from U.S.

The progression of bearing wheels from early to late:

• U.S. early chrome wheels
• H.K. bubble gum wheels
• H.K. deep dish wheels
• U.S. standard wheels
• H.K. standard wheels
• U.S. late chrome large wheels

Bear in mind this list is a generalization as castings found in blister have shown at times it is hard to nail down when certain types of wheels were used, as evidenced by a tabbed base Camaro in BP having U.S. standard wheels on the rear and U.S. chrome wheels on the fronts.