Stock wheel; which wheel is correct for 1961 GMC?
 

I have four 15 x 5 (5" wide) 6 lug steel wheels. However one looks a little different and I'm wondering if it's an earlier or 50's wheel.

The first one has 3 clips, a gap/ridge/landing all around the center, before it meets the wheel rim; and four little "notches" on the outer rim itself.

The other has 6 clips, no notches and "meets" the rim directly.

I'd thought I read on another thread that there was a 15" wheel option(LT-1 Burb?), but have not been able to find it.

This restored 1960 appears to have the two different wheels as well.

Which wheel would be correct for a 61 GMC?

Here are the wheels and thanks for any and all replies:

Re: Stock wheel; which wheel is correct for 1961 GMC?
 

may find some info here:
http://6066gmcclub.com/gmcguy/

Re: Stock wheel; which wheel is correct for 1961 GMC?
 

The 3 clip rims are the correct ones. If you ever pull the tires they will be dated on the inside. The 6 clip in 15 inch is early to mid 50s from what I see. I have that exact rim on my 59 but its a 3 clip also. These 60 and up 15s I think are all 5 1/2 wide between the beads and that will be stamped by the date. These white rims are the ones on my 60 GMC 1/2 ton. These do not have the nubs on the outer edge.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...1E44FD1563.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...2D20926FAD.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...5D20A33DC0.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...484F648731.jpg

Re: Stock wheel; which wheel is correct for 1961 GMC?
 

The 6 clip wheel looks more like a 49 era wheel to me. I don't know what came stock on a 61, but my 1960 GMC came with wheels that looks like the first one. I have one remaining original, and it is riveted construction, has the 4 nibs for the 1956 passenger car 15" wheel covers, and 3 hub cap clips. It is 15x5. If this matches your set you're welcome to it for the cost of shipping. Being heavy I don't know how much that would be:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/27/qnuj.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...0/853/pm6s.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...0/198/dcdq.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...0/844/ht9y.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/22/3q05.jpg

Fyi in 1960 if you order full wheel covers for your Chevy truck, 1956 Chevy car wheel covers were provided, presumably because 1956 was the last year the cars came with 15" wheels. 14" wheels became standard in 1957. The 56 wheel covers had a bead all around the perimeter of the flange that snapped in the wheel.
They did not feature conventional gripper fingers that dug into the paint. These wheel covers could only be installed on a wheel that had the nips stamped in.

Re: Stock wheel; which wheel is correct for 1961 GMC?
 

DPowers- Thanks for the link. I am a member over there as well but did not find the wheel info on the site.

60-66- Thanks for the response and verification. Now I know I only have one correct wheel. Appreciate the photos as well.

markeb01-Yes I had the tires off the wheels and don't recall finding the size stamped inside, but they are 15 x 5 with 3.5" backspace.
Thanks for revealing the mystery of the four outer wheel nubs.
I guess that's what made the wheel optional (Wheel covers) since 60-66's wheel did not have them(?) Just a guess. PM will be sent to you shortly.

Thanks to all.

Re: Stock wheel; which wheel is correct for 1961 GMC?
 

Does the information for originality ever cease to amaze?