Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

[Michael J.]

I am interested in the 1965 ones they have, anyone with recent judging experience on these? Thanks.

[Gary C.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Mike,

One of the questions you should ask; "is there any stamping or logo on the backside of the knock off spinners".

Most vendors have something cast in the backside of their spinners.

Gary
....

[Leif A.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Mike,

One of the questions you should ask; "is there any stamping or logo on the backside of the knock off spinners".

Most vendors have something cast in the backside of their spinners.

Gary
....

Didn't realize the backside of the spinners were judged. How do the judges see the backside of a spinner while it's on the car?

[Michael J.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

They use a mirror. And yes, that is one of my questions as the website does not show such things.

[Don H.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Mike
look at it this way. Wheels are worth 30, including weights, stems, caps. Spinners are worth 10. If we can detect Conf differences between new wheels and OEM K-H, figure on 40% deduct for C and D. If the paint shade differs, another 20% for F. You can do the math.. On spinners, the markings on the back will differ from OEM K-H. Guaranteed. Or there could be no markings. Either way, 40% deduct on those. So, there is your worst case scenario.. If judges don't take any deduct because the new wheels are just that good, (they just might be) then you got a gift. Merry Christmas!

[Michael J.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Good points, I am just curious how good they really are. I guess I should have them send me detailed pictures so I can "judge" for myself......

[Larry E.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

I have been told through the years by various judges that all reproduction knock-offs can be detected and points
taken off with ONE EXCEPTION> That is in the first few years that Western Wheel bought out K-H and USED K-H
MOLDS to make their wheels. Picture Below. Larry

[Mike D.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Some of the wheels are too dark in color, they need to match the gray used on standard hub caps, so that is a finish issue. C + D + F= 60%

[Michael J.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Thanks Mike, you just saved me some money.......

[James W.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

I have the early Western Wheel/K-H 1964 knock-offs bought new in January of 1982. With some work, they now look as close to the originals as I can make them. Per guidance from Bill Wilhelm I wet sanded the machining marks from the fins and wheel lips to make them look like the originals and ink date stamped the back of all 4 repro wheels and my original K-H spare. The depth of the wheel lips is the only real difference. I found a set of original spinners that have the correct pie symbol, and numbers on the back. I'll have to go back and find my 2014 Nat'l. Convention judging sheets to see what point deductions I took. For a spare, I have an original 1964 knock-off. Putting them side-by-side face up, it is hard to tell the difference. During judging, it its difficult to see the Western Wheel - KH on the back of the wheels.

[Duke W.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

I have been told through the years by various judges that all reproduction knock-offs can be dedected and points
taken off with ONE EXCEPTION> That is in the first few years that Western Wheel bought out K-H and USED K-H
MOLDS to make their wheels. Picture Below. Larry

I believe it's the other way around. K-H bought Western Wheel and then provided them the original tooling to make the low volume repro K-Os for the restoration market, which was beginning to take of in the late seventies. I have a set of four, '63 style, that I bought around '79 or '80 from Michaelis when he had a retail parts store in Burbank, CA.

But if the judges see "Western Wheel" even with "K-H" they should know that these wheels are reproductions, not originals from the sixties.

Duke

[Larry E.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Duke:Very True;should have said in my statement "Only as installed on the car" not to be used as the spare where the inside of the wheel can be seen. Larry

[Joseph S.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Mike, I don't believe Date comes into the judging here unless someone puts the wrong color wheel or a brushed cone onto a 64 or 65 car. We can't just infer a Date deduction because we know it's a reproduction.

We have been teaching this in the Judges Training Retreat and most Judging Schools for the past 6-8 Years.

I also believe this wording or similar has found its way into the JRM also.

Happy Holidays!! Joe

[Michael J.]

Re: Anyone know how well the reproduction knock-offs from Corvette USA judge?

Thanks Joe, and Happy Holidays to you and yours too!

IIRC, when I have had my '64s and '66 with KOs judged in the past at Regionals and Nationals, the exterior judges look at the spare, where you can see a date, and used that to judge all the others where you can't see a date. Thus if the spare wheel is properly dated within the 6 month window, they are all deemed to be OK wrt the date. I have always avoided being an exterior judge, too many subjective judgement calls, so I have no experience in judging them myself, I will stick to being a chassis judge.......

[Michael G.]