1997 Dodge Viper B/W GTS - Different Colored OEM Wheels?

John_Cassels · Jun 6, 2012

Hey all,

Been looking at some pictures of 1997 GTS Coupes and I noticed that some B/W GTS's have chrome wheels, while others seem have a more matte powder coated silver wheel. I've attached some links in an attempt to demonstrate what exactly I'm talking about.

Chrome wheels:

http://www.viperalley.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13274

Powder-coated wheels:

http://vehicles.wheels.ca/blue-1997-dodge-viper-448754-sevenviewchryslerltd/

I own Maurice's Viper Guide and I don't recall there being any mention of different colored wheel options for the '97 B/W Coupe (which doesn't mean it isn't there - I just don't remember reading it). The only wheel-based difference I'm aware of for B/W Coupes is the change from cast to forged wheels between '96 and '97 (thanks to the search feature).

Any insights would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Johnny

01sapphirebob · Jun 6, 2012

The wheels on the car in the second pic appear to be the whees off of a black '96 RT/10. The wheels on the black RT's where painted silver to match the silver stripes.

Matt M PA · Jun 7, 2012

None of them had "chrome" wheels, they were polished aluminum and cleared.

I just looked in my old Viper parts book for 1997-98 and there are listings for wheels in gold, silver and polished aluminum.

Perhaps the silver wheels are as rare on a GTS as the gold ones?

DrumrBoy · Jun 7, 2012

Maybe the silver ones were Great White North-only options. JK I have no idea and have never seen the painted/silver ones. Maybe they're just that, painted by owner after purchase?

01sapphirebob · Jun 7, 2012

Quickest example I could find of a '96 RT/10

457931_10150833046245775_224415135774_12212867_53561713_o.jpg

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MTGTS · Jun 7, 2012

Didn't the cast and forged wheels shine a little differently as well. One could have been replaced at one time

John_Cassels · Jun 7, 2012

Those definitely look similar to the black '96 RT/10 wheels - Drumrboy, I think you may be on to something with the wheels being a Canadian option - I've only ever seen those '96 Black RT/10 wheels on Canadian B/W Coupes...

chenner · Jun 7, 2012

Both the '96 and '97 had polished wheels. The cast on the '96s were porous and weren't able to produce as much of a shine as on the forged '97s.

The one in the second pic is just dirty and needs a good wash!

PDCjonny · Jun 7, 2012

My '97 wheels are very shiny polished forged aluminum.

ViperJohn · Jun 7, 2012

We had a member who had a 97 GTS with painted 17 inch wheels. He swore it came that way from the factory.

Ron · Jun 7, 2012

1997 was a mixed year with early production cast and later forged.

-FROG- · Jun 7, 2012

I heard one was prone to cracking and breaking off the hub under extreme condisions, i.e. roadcoarse racing. But that's just what I heard.... not sure if it's true.

John_Cassels · Jun 7, 2012

Chenner - I don't think they're dirty - I've seen two Canadian GTS's with wheels like this. Maybe Matt M., PA is on to something with the parts book - does anyone know if there was a wheel option for 1997 B/W Coupes when purchased new?

Steve-Indy · Jun 7, 2012

Sticking with the NON-colored wheels for 96 -98...there were two slightly different finishes of 96-97 5-spoke-polished-aluminum-clear-coated-wheels versus "same" style 1998 wheels. This subtle difference (subtle until seeing them side-by-side) came to light as one of our Members was seeking to replace 2 of his 1998 stock wheels recently...though I personally don't know if that difference appeared sometime in 97 or was limited to 1998's.

Matt M PA · Jun 7, 2012

Well.....here's the deal.

According to the 1997 Viper brochure...sparkle silver, sparkle gold, yellow or polished wheels on the GTS. It lists silver sparkle as "standard". (FWIW, same on the RT that year) Sparkle gold only on red cars.

John_Cassels · Jun 8, 2012

Hey all,

Thanks for all of your help in resolving this - looks like there were a few wheel options for the '97 B/W Coupes (I knew there were for the reed coupes). Again, I appreciate the help on this guys

pdmracing · Jun 18, 2012

I am original owner of a 1997 B&W GTS & its has painted silver are the original wheels

1997 Dodge Viper B/W GTS - Different Colored OEM Wheels?

John_Cassels

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-FROG-

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John_Cassels

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