63 knock offs

[F H.]

Thinking about putting a set of knock offs on my 63 these are original in good shape. Should I use tubes? I remember articles about leaking tire pressure on original wheels. thanks

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 knock offs

I don't think any of the original 63 rims are out there. See if there is a date on the wheel it's probably from a 64. You could always try putting a tire on and check the air pressure to test it.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 knock offs

There have been rumors over the years about 63's delivered with knock-off wheels. Some believe a handful of 63 actually were delivered (about 15), but NCRS doesn't recognize any.

One of the rumors was they leaked thus quality was a problem so the option was cancelled. The other rumor was there was a patent dispute with Jaguar over the original style of knock-offs therefore GM could not deliver them on a car. I like this rumor better.

[Alan D.]

Re: 63 knock offs

My 64 KO's leaked since I cleaned the outside and inside - had a friend laugh at me for doing inside since that caused the leak.
Solved the problem by having the inside and outside cleared. So in your case I would consider having the inside cleared.

Yes I loose a few points for the outside clear, but I no longer have to clean them!
Just remember what Harry alluded to KO's would be a deduct on a 63.

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 knock offs

all five of my c-2 's with K/Os have tubes in them. i gave up cleaning/painting the insides years ago. "tubes are us" mike

[Loren L.]

Re: 63 knock offs

Air leakage on KO wheels on vehicles prior to '64 #13346 were subject to air leakage. The curing time for the plastic sealer used on the inner surfaces was shortened, resulting in moisture being retained under the sealer; the sealer would bubble and burst during baking operations. Production and service wheels were corrected and will bear a "T" or "TR" stamped adjacent to the cast part number on the wheel.
Plan "B" for field complaints was the installation of an inner tube.

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 knock offs

Yes, all Corvettes with KO's prior to about 11,000 S/N would leak air at the rate of about 8 pounds per week. There was an original owner 1964 Roadster at Bloomington and he recalled receiving his 64 on four flats and tubes thrown inside the car. GM requested the return of the 64 and he refused. He still has the 64, KO's, original tires and tubes installed.
As JD would say, True Story!

JR

[Rick A.]

Re: 63 knock offs

And, the patent infringement dispute was with Dayton Wire Wheels, not Jaguar. I remember talking about this with Dick Gulstrand in 2003 at Amelia Island when the five Grand Sports were all together.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 knock offs

I always thought the "leaking wheels" was a cover story for the lawsuit. It seems strange that the aftermarket had been manufacturing cast aluminum wheels for about a decade that didn't leak excessively, yet a big OEM vendor like Kelsey-Hayes didn't know how to make a porosity free aluminum casting???

Duke

[David B.]

Re: 63 knock offs

There have been rumors over the years about 63's delivered with knock-off wheels. Some believe a handful of 63 actually were delivered (about 15), but NCRS doesn't recognize any.

One of the rumors was they leaked thus quality was a problem so the option was cancelled. The other rumor was there was a patent dispute with Jaguar over the original style of knock-offs therefore GM could not deliver them on a car. I like this rumor better.

Harry,
No rumors on this one. GM records show 1963 Corvette RPO P-48 15x6L Wheel Equipment (Quick Take Off) was delivered on 13 Units. Perhaps NCRS should rethink their position.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 knock offs

Harry,
No rumors on this one. GM records show 1963 Corvette RPO P-48 15x6L Wheel Equipment (Quick Take Off) was delivered on 13 Units. Perhaps NCRS should rethink their position.

David, if you have the proof I suggest you share it with the 63 National Team Leader else nothing will change.

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 knock offs

We would all like to see that.....and proof that they were delivered to a customer and not pulled from a pre-delivery staging area with flat tires (which is what I read somewhere) and refitted with hubcaps..

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 knock offs

My belief is that the only KO wheels installed on '63 models at St. Louis were on some of the 25 pilot line cars. These were of the "two-bar gear-drive" type as shown in the 1963 Corvette Shop Manual that were the subject of the patent infringement suit by Dayton.

Some of these pilot line cars eventually got into the public domain as did some "loose sets".

When I special ordered my SWC in early February, I wanted KO wheels, but the dealer informed me that they were not yet released for production, and there was no estimated release date and my order would be delayed, so I dropped them from the order.

Duke

[Rick A.]

Re: 63 knock offs

agree with Duke

[David B.]

Re: 63 knock offs

Harry, Frank, Duke, Rick,
I make no comment or opinion on what, when or how 63 Corvette option P-48 was installed on the production line. I merely state how many (13) GM production records show were actually installed. "It is, what it is" no matter who agrees. Too many fairy tales have already been written. I am aware of the 2 bar gear driven type mentioned by Duke. Without contributing to false rumors I seem to remember there was an issue with wheels not staying tight but I am unaware if this was related to the gear driven type knock off. No matter the problem --- the math does not change!