I would like to purchase an original set of Kelsey Hayes KO wheels for my 63 coupe. How do I determine whether or not a wheel is original (vs. reproduction) and do the original wheels have date codes? Also, when did the switch from 2 bar to 3 bar spinners occur and which should I purchase for my car (build date 2-28-63)? Thanks.
-
-
Re: 63 Kelsey Hayes KO wheels
Hi Chris,
2 bar was for very early production so you would look for the 3 bar spinners.
Be prepared to pay heavily! To give you an idea, check out eBay item #2468195479 , a 2 bar gear driven set said to be original. Starting bid is $10,000, or a small Volks.
The KO wheels were not available for '63 as I'm sure you know. You would receive a full deduction for having these installed during judging.
Syd -
Re: 63 Kelsey Hayes KO wheels
I would be extremely leary of any two bar spinners. To my knowledge they came on greasy tails (Corvairs) only. However in the early 90's I saw several sets of raw machinings of two bar spinners. My opinion that if they were finished, they have probably been released one set at a time.
Ain't sure of my spelling, but Caveat Emptor!Dick WhittingtonComment
-
Re: 63 Kelsey Hayes KO wheels
There's no such thing as "original" KO wheels for '63 because they weren't released for production until the '64 model year. There were a few pilot line cars with "gear drive" adaptors and two-bar nuts that got into the public domain, plus a few loose sets of these wheels.
I believe original wheels have K-H in the mold. Early repros have "Western Wheel" in the mold, but since Western was bought by K-H sometime in the eighties or nineties the later repros may have both K-H and Western in the mold.
The original and early repro production style adaptors ("pin drive type") do not have provision for safety pins like the later repros.
KO wheels on a '63 are considered "non-original" and will likely loose full points in judging, unless you have a bonafide pilot line car that had two-bar gear drive KOs installed on the line, and you can PROVE it.
Since there is no "value" to having an original set of '64 to '66 KOs on a '63, if you want the "look" you're better off buying a set of new or used set repros. They will be a lot cheaper than a set of bonafide original '64 to '66 KOs.
DukeComment
-
-
Re: 65 KO wheels
The outer lip is much more concaved and sticks out more on originals. Once you have seen them side by side, you can tell instantly.Comment
-
Re: 65 KO wheels
The wheel vanes are noticeably thinner on originals.
Carl Sanger
35580Comment
Comment