HELP need info on ORIGINAL Knockoffs for 63...

[1KULC7]

OK...this is the story. I have found a set of four original 63 Knockoff wheels. They are NOT Kelsey-Hayes, they are WESTERN WHEELS...

They have NO PIN, straight knockoffs.......my question is are they worth buying? I have concerns of the wheels having no pins.

Secondly the two of the spinners have areas that will need to be rechromed because of hitting them with hammer to keep them on the car.

the Holes are clean and round no egg shapes....

OK GUYS I need you opinion before a spend thousands of dollars to get these wheels...first are they original Chevrolet Wheels or repops? They say Western Wheels on the back, second are they worth $4K?

 

[WayneC]

My understanding is that the originals were all Kelsey Hayes, and that what you are looking at is early repros made by Western before the repros were produced with lock pins. KO's without lock pins are fine as long as they are correctly installed (heavy blows with a lead hammer) and rechecked frequently. I can't imagine the Western wheels are worth $4k (or even $1k) except possibly to someone who wants to preserve the "history" of early Corvette aftermarket parts.

BTW, no 63 Corvettes were ever delivered to the public with knock-offs (except for some factory race cars that had K-H prototype wheels)... apparently there were problems with production and buyers were given an IOU; they got their KO wheels after the 64 Vettes came out, same K-H wheels as were available on the 64's.

 

[c5vetter]

Wayne is correct in everything he stated - did a lot research when I was restoring my 1963 Z06 - wheels DEFINITELY NOT WORTH $$$$$ being mentioned - they are NOT ORIGINAL, either - they are reproduction! whoever is telling you they are original is stringing you a line of BS

 

[Mikey1]

Correct....sounds like they are early reproduction because oif the missing holes for the security pins....

 

[1KULC7]

You guys are great....many thanks for you help... On the back of the wheel its says "Western Wheels" and there is a date code that says 78...so I think these wheels go back to 1978.

Of course I am not going to buy these wheels. I talked to some other friends and I am going to do this. I am selling as planned the repro bolt on knock off wheels and the radial tires that are on the for a good price...already have buyer and waiting list.

I am going with the STEEL Wheels and the original wheel covers. I have purchased through Coker Firestone Bias Deluxe Champion White walls with NCRS approved wheels. I have found another set of original mint condition wheel covers. This will be my show set up.

For driving, I have another set of 63-64-66 Steel Wheels that I will have Radial tires mounted on them, us my older Wheel Covers (that have a few dings in them) for cruise and driving.

I think I will stay away from the knock off wheels altogether, as I have spent a lot of time, resources, research, and money on making this 1963 a 1963 coupe. So if it was not on the car in 63, I don't want it on the car now.

Trying to keep the car pure..... Again thanks to all you have made me and educated vetter.....