OEM 1963 Steel compared to a Reproduction 1963-64 Steel wheel.
Everyone;
I attempted to post a review of a 1963 wheel compared to a 1965-66 wheel. I wasn't real happy with the article. Mostly because the comparison was to wheels that were not really comparable/compatible no matter what the add said.
So a do over so to speak. A review of an origial 63 wheel to the reproduction 1963-64 wheel. To that end I just purchased a 1963-64 "direct replacement wheel.
The wheel I purchased was advertised like this:
"63-64 15 x 5" Steel Wheel" New reproduction 1963-1964 Corvette steel wheel. All new reproduction wheel is made from new tooling not universal components. Includes the "nubs" at the valve stem just as original. Sold individually or as a set of 4 wheels.
The wheel arrived yesterday. It was double boxed and arrived in good shape. The wheel was semi-gloss black covering everything. No gloss paint anywhere.
Interesting the wheel was sold as a 5.5" width replacement but it is only 5". The add listed as the only replacement wheel available.
Show below are the two wheels with the 1/2 difference in height shown.
Advertisement also listed the wheel as having the nubs like the stock wheel. There were none at the valve stem as promised.
It did have four evenly spaced nubs around the Peripheral of the wheel.
You can see two of the nubs in the picture below;
The wheel was manufacture in the USA per the engraving. the engraving also lists the wheel as a 5" per the origial add.
The reproduction did have provisions for a Sheriff caps unlike the 1965-66 reproductions which lacked this feature.
Wheels were welded unlike the stock wheels which have spot welds.
What I liked:
Made in the USA.
Powdered coated.
What I was disappointed with:
Lack of the nubs at the valve stem.
Wrong width. (note; The wheel was advertised that way)
Wheel was semi-gloss. If it has to be all one color I just prefer the gloss paint.
Frankly if I was looking for a reasonable replacement for a 1963 or 64 Corvette I would likely purchase the later 1965-66 disc brake clearanced wheels. The 65-66 wheels wouldn't have any additional powder coating costs as the wheel were gloss black to begin with and they incorporate the nubs at the valve stem. And the all important width issue. Gee, one would think they could make a 5"wheel a 5.5" would not be much more difficult.
I found the two different companies advertising what appears to be the same 1963-64 wheel. They are advertised it two ways, as a 15x5 and a 15x5.5. Both indicated the wheels includes the "nubs" at the valve stem just as original.
Add also lists "All New Tooling With Exact Detail" Something I wonder about. However it was as advertised except for the nubs either missing or in the wrong place?
NOTE:
I called Zip Corvettes and asked them about the nubs on there wheels. I suspect the seller I used (not Zip) was sourcing there wheels somewhere else. The nice person at Zip went to the warehouse and confirmed the wheels, they carry in stock, do indeed have the nubs. I can only caution everyone to be careful and confirm they are indeed the replacement wheels. It appears the review has another side to it. Everyone should be cautioned to confirm the wheels are as advertised before purchasing. The wheel I purchased was the least expensive seller. Be careful out there.
Thanks
Rick
I attempted to post a review of a 1963 wheel compared to a 1965-66 wheel. I wasn't real happy with the article. Mostly because the comparison was to wheels that were not really comparable/compatible no matter what the add said.
So a do over so to speak. A review of an origial 63 wheel to the reproduction 1963-64 wheel. To that end I just purchased a 1963-64 "direct replacement wheel.
The wheel I purchased was advertised like this:
"63-64 15 x 5" Steel Wheel" New reproduction 1963-1964 Corvette steel wheel. All new reproduction wheel is made from new tooling not universal components. Includes the "nubs" at the valve stem just as original. Sold individually or as a set of 4 wheels.
The wheel arrived yesterday. It was double boxed and arrived in good shape. The wheel was semi-gloss black covering everything. No gloss paint anywhere.
Interesting the wheel was sold as a 5.5" width replacement but it is only 5". The add listed as the only replacement wheel available.
Show below are the two wheels with the 1/2 difference in height shown.
Advertisement also listed the wheel as having the nubs like the stock wheel. There were none at the valve stem as promised.
It did have four evenly spaced nubs around the Peripheral of the wheel.
You can see two of the nubs in the picture below;
The wheel was manufacture in the USA per the engraving. the engraving also lists the wheel as a 5" per the origial add.
The reproduction did have provisions for a Sheriff caps unlike the 1965-66 reproductions which lacked this feature.
Wheels were welded unlike the stock wheels which have spot welds.
What I liked:
Made in the USA.
Powdered coated.
What I was disappointed with:
Lack of the nubs at the valve stem.
Wrong width. (note; The wheel was advertised that way)
Wheel was semi-gloss. If it has to be all one color I just prefer the gloss paint.
Frankly if I was looking for a reasonable replacement for a 1963 or 64 Corvette I would likely purchase the later 1965-66 disc brake clearanced wheels. The 65-66 wheels wouldn't have any additional powder coating costs as the wheel were gloss black to begin with and they incorporate the nubs at the valve stem. And the all important width issue. Gee, one would think they could make a 5"wheel a 5.5" would not be much more difficult.
I found the two different companies advertising what appears to be the same 1963-64 wheel. They are advertised it two ways, as a 15x5 and a 15x5.5. Both indicated the wheels includes the "nubs" at the valve stem just as original.
Add also lists "All New Tooling With Exact Detail" Something I wonder about. However it was as advertised except for the nubs either missing or in the wrong place?
NOTE:
I called Zip Corvettes and asked them about the nubs on there wheels. I suspect the seller I used (not Zip) was sourcing there wheels somewhere else. The nice person at Zip went to the warehouse and confirmed the wheels, they carry in stock, do indeed have the nubs. I can only caution everyone to be careful and confirm they are indeed the replacement wheels. It appears the review has another side to it. Everyone should be cautioned to confirm the wheels are as advertised before purchasing. The wheel I purchased was the least expensive seller. Be careful out there.
Thanks
Rick
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