Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

[Richard G.]

I have been considering purchasing a set of Knock Off Wheels for my 63. I know they aren't allowed in NCRS on a 63.
However the skinny bias ply tires may not be my cup of tea all the time an am considering other wheels for local use.

Looks like a couple choices:
Bolt On's and knock off like the originals.

Pricing seems to be roughly $2300 dollars at most places. Some vendors were $100 more. Many included free shipping.
Paragon Stick With Us Price: is $2,299.00. was the same as if you didn't qualify for the stick with us pricing.

What I don't quite get is if the wheels are all the same. Corvette America advertises a redesigned knock off wheel more like the originals. Is this a different wheel available at CA only?

Since they are not being judged any recommendations on using the knock offs or bolt on style wheels?

Thanks
Rick

Information from the Corvette America site.
A Corvette America Innovation!

Our wheel and hardware design creates the look of Original-Style Knockoff Wheels while allowing the wheel to bolt directly to your hub. Once installed, Direct-Bolt Knockoff Wheels are virtually indistinguishable from Original-Style Knockoffs. With Direct-Bolt Knockoff Wheels you get original-style looks and ease of use. You don’t need a lead hammer for the spinner installation; it mounts directly to a specially designed and patented wheel adaptor. The spinners are the same as those used on our Original Style Knockoffs, as are the center caps and anti-theft pins.

We have gone even further to make our wheels as close as possible to the factory supplied Knockoff Wheels. We enlisted the help of numerous Corvette Restoration experts and NCRS judges to help us recreate our Replica Original Style Knockoff Wheels. Along with those wheels we also retooled the Direct Bolt Knockoff Wheels so that they would match in appearance when installed.
Our Complete Direct-Bolt Knockoff Wheel sets include 4 wheels as well as the hardware needed for each wheel, including lug nuts. Complete installation instruction are also included.

[Edward D.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

Repro knockoffs used to be made by Western, these had noticeable differences from originals. But I think all these days are made by the same manufacturer regardless of who you get them from and they are still not completely as original. Still they sure look nice on the car. Get the bolt on type rather than the true knockoff. The look identical and use the same heavy spinner, but the bolt-ons are much safer in that they don't use the adapter bolted to the hub and won't tend to loosen up on you.

[Don H.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

I have the last generation of direct bolt ons and love them. I do not understand why anyone would even consider a true knock off unless they wanted originals for judging. I thought that Corvette America & America's Finest both made them. I think there is a difference in the adapter that attaches the spinner. Don H.

[Andrew E.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

I do not understand why anyone would even consider a true knock off unless they wanted originals for judging.

I have repros with spinners and yeah it's more work but I like the experience doing it the same way they did back in the day. When I first got the car they made me nervous, but after getting the wheels off and on a few times I don't worry about it. Just be conscientious about the following the process for mounting and periodically checking them and you'll be fine. One side is reverse threaded so they'll naturally tighten themselves when you accelerate.

[Jim D.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

Here's a thread I started when I researched them prior to purchase. https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...hlight=spinner

[Jim M.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

I am considering the two direct bolt on knock off wheels. My understanding is, the Corvette America wheels have the " same heavy knock off spinners" as the regular knock offs. The America's Finest Corvette direct bolt ons' have a light weight fake spinner. I like the Corvette America wheel better because of this difference. And, do these wheels have taller wheel nuts to hold them on?

[Steven B.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

I have a set of the Corvette America bolt on KO's. The lug nuts that came with the wheels are identical to the ones that were already on the car. Does that answer your question about taller wheel nuts?

[Larry E.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

[QUOTE=Edward Dupere (60605);850181]Repro knockoffs used to be made by Western, these had noticeable differences from originals

Not true>The very very early Western Wheel knockoffs used the tooling from K/H. (Often had K/H and Western on the
inside of the wheel) Virtually Identical. Larry

[Harry S.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

This is the only difference on a 1985 wheel I could find.

[Ron B.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

My 1964 corvette has Western Wheel knock offs. the wheels have raised lettering just "Western Wheel" and a stamped number C63083. do you know the vintage age of theses wheels. There are five wheels with the car. also what should be used to lubricate the spinner to wheel area?
Thank you for any help

[Larry E.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

[QUOTE=Ron Boisvert (67933);904559]My 1964 corvette has Western Wheel knock offs. the wheels have raised lettering just "Western Wheel" and a stamped number C63083. do you know the vintage age of theses wheels.

Ron>If you search the board on this subject you will find that the 1st run(Using K-H tooling) of the knock-offs by Western Wheel with the K-H
and Western Wheel cast in the inside you will find out they would be around 1978 thru 1980. Yours would be after that date
which I presume would be with new molds by Western Wheel. JMHO>Larry

[James W.]

Re: Considerations when purchasing Reproduction Knock Off Wheels.

I have a set of the very early 1964 Western Wheel K-H reproduction knock-offs purchased in the spring of 1983. They are as Larry said virually identical to the originals.

James