Stupid Question about wheels GEN 1

[Rich Davidson]

This 93 Gen 1 I recently purchased has two sets of original wheels. One set is Chromed and one set is Silver paint finish. Which is correct?

[Fatboy 18]

This 93 Gen 1 I recently purchased has two sets of original wheels. One set is Chromed and one set is Silver paint finish. Which is correct?

According to the Viper registry Painted 3 spoke, (Silver).
https://www.theviperregistry.com/features.php

[Rich Davidson]

Thanks for the info and link.

[ViperSRT]

According to the Viper registry Painted 3 spoke, (Silver).
https://www.theviperregistry.com/features.php

Be a bit careful though as the registry lists chrome as I am unaware of any Viper that had chrome plated wheels. All were polished aluminum and clear coated.

[Steve-Indy]

I thought all 92-95 Vipers had the "silver" painted 3 spoke wheels...though there were at least 2 different shades of the "silver"...with the polished 5 spoke wheels starting with the 96 GTS.

[ViperSRT]

I thought all 92-95 Vipers had the "silver" painted 3 spoke wheels...though there were at least 2 different shades of the "silver"...with the polished 5 spoke wheels starting with the 96 GTS.

Yes, 1995 wheels added sparkle finish. 1996 GTS were polished cast aluminum (not super shiny), and 1996 RT/10 were the same wheels painted. 1997 and beyond were polished forged. All polished had clear coat finish.

[dave6666]

Chad has a McViper that he chromed the wheels on. Appropriately renamed the McChromer. But in any case, that wasn't an official release.

[GTS Dean]

I'm pretty sure the '92-'94 and possibly '95 cars had "Argent" paint on the rims. I also believe that the black '96 RT's had "Sparkle Silver" paint on them. No Gen 1 cars EVER had either polished or chromed wheels.

There were lots of debates raging in the early days about whether the chroming process led to an embrittlement problem for the aluminum. It came to a head with the GTS models that were breaking front wheel spiders. Chrysler warrantied those that failed or had indications of fatigue cracks. The new ones came with slightly different castings and a revised spoke back-cut machining operation. I don't think chroming was ever found do be a definitive culprit, but R compound or slick tires at the road course WERE contributing factors.

[Viper Red]

I am not aware of any 3 spoke wheel coming chrome from the factory.