Advice regrading KH Knock off's for 66 Coupe

[Vincent A.]

Could use some advice regarding a set of 1966 KH knock off's for sale on ebay. I have a 1966 coupe that currently has reproduction knock off's and would like to add original KH for shows and judging. Build date of my car is May 1966. I don't know if it originally came with KO's as no window sticker or order paperwork. Just a matter of personal taste.

KO's for sale appear to have brushed steel center cones. Build dates on wheels listed as:

"Dated B11565, D-2, A12-17, AD-20 (the 0 may be a 6), 71365"

I'm not sure how to interpret this beyond B11565, which I assume is Nov 5 1965. I've asked the seller for more info but would appreciate advice on the following:

Is there a way to tell from the dates if this is an original set of wheels? How much does this matter in judging for top flight?

Would KH wheels manufactured in Nov 1965 be correct for a May 1966 build car? Again, how much does it matter for TF judging?

Seller is Proteam Corvettes in Ohio. Any feedback on their reliability? (fine to respond only to me on that one)

Thanks much for any input

Vince

[Donald A.]

Re: Advice regrading KH Knock off's for 66 Coupe

Vince, some of those 'date codes' are incomplete or they didn't record numbers from the right areas. The letters in front of dates are work shift ID not date letters. The numbers are usually month-day-year. I have attached a photo of a KO on a 66 I had judged, the D stamp is the original KH cast ID and the date code A is a shift ID and 25 66 is Feb 5, 1966. The dates of these wheels are NOT judged at NCRS meets to my understanding. Judges DO look at the coloring between fins, changes between 64 wheels and 65-66 ones, also the cones are different, 66 are brushed finish, prior years are polished finish. They CAN look at the casting number and date on the spare wheel KO though. They look close to see if the the wheels have configuration typical of an original wheel vs a repro, and with experience it is fairly easy to tell. NCRS gives 6 month window proceeding car build date so theoretically a Nov 65 wheel could be found on a May 66 car, just a bit of a stretch though. The D2 you list is incomplete. Some of the other numbers are partials in my opinion. The 71365 probably a July 13, 1965 wheel. I looked at the eBay auction, they don't give any close photos of any date codes. You need more close up photos of the entire backside of those wheels to get a better idea of all the dates and stampings. However the wheels do look nice, and they are offering what is said to be original hardware - adapters & spinners etc - and that is certainly a big plus. The price is reasonable for all that, just my opinion. Can't tell from photos if any are bent or out of round so caveat emptor. These are just my opinions, I'm sure others will chime in. Good luck with your project!

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[Vincent A.]

Re: Advice regrading KH Knock off's for 66 Coupe

Thanks very much Don, this is very helpful. I'll follow up and let you know what I learn.
Vince

[Wayne M.]

Re: Advice regrading KH Knock off's for 66 Coupe

Vince -- here's a set of 5 that I have, all off the same '66 VIN 1316x, a loaded tanker (except air) delivered new to a dealer in northern Quebec, Canada. Three are stamped B_1_4_66, two have B_1_3_66, so this lends credence to the shift/month/day-of-month/year format.


LH KO adapter_AB.jpg66 orig cone.JPGB_1_3-48.JPGB_1_4-49.JPGB_1_4-50.JPGB_1_4 from earlier.jpg

[Bill L.]

Re: Advice regrading KH Knock off's for 66 Coupe

If you are determined to add (or replace) knock offs on your '66 then I strongly suggest you get in touch with Mike Zamora in the New Mexico Chapter-- his wheels are nothing short of stunning and you will be able to get the correct dates ---

Here is an e-bay link to his listing for knock off wheels ---- they are a bit expensive but they are the best ones out there bar none.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200651119450?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Also, If you are getting judged (in case you have not done it yet) be sure to replace the rear bolts that suspend the spare tire carrier with the correct length bolts (with welded nuts) --- you will also need a wheel card and a lead hammer as well and the jacking instructions etc ---there may be a few other minor items as well ----

Regards
Bill

[Donald A.]

Re: Advice regrading KH Knock off's for 66 Coupe

If you are determined to add (or replace) knock offs on your '66 then I strongly suggest you get in touch with Mike Zamora in the New Mexico Chapter-- his wheels are nothing short of stunning and you will be able to get the correct dates...

+1 to these comments. Cannot say enough about the quality of work that Mike Zamora does, KOs and BOs among other things. He restored my original BOs and they are terrific

Wheel 1.jpgWheel 2.jpgWheel 3.jpgWheel 4.jpg

[Vincent A.]

Re: Advice regrading KH Knock off's for 66 Coupe

This is great Wayne. Thank you - Vince

[Vincent A.]

Re: Advice regrading KH Knock off's for 66 Coupe

Thanks very much Bill. I did contact Mike and we are talking. Appreciate your advice very much. Vince