1969 ralley wheels

**Richard R.** · July 28, 2009, 05:35 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Kenny all wheels and tires are judged. The spare is the only wheel that the date is judged. I would go with Kelsey tires ,they are a repop of Goodyear tires. I recently bought a set of Firestone Wide Ovals and got a small deduct because they have one extra groove than the original. Hope this helps Richard

**Jack H.** · July 28, 2009, 05:41 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

A. Should I just keep looking until I find wheels built in the first Qtr 69 and if so do they all need to have the same MFg date?

From the factory, wheels were pulled from inventory at random. So, the date codes of the individual wheels will probably NOT all align.

B. Since I have a correct spare do I just buy re pops and move on. If I understand the judging guide correctly the only one that is actually judged anyway is the spare.

With the beauty rings and center caps installed on the road mounted wheels, judges can NOT see/read their individual date codes. So, by amassing a complete/correct set of five wheels, you're really catering to the TOUGHEST judge of all--YOU!

I am getting to a point were I need to get some rubber on the ground and could use some expert advice on what to do, comments and opinion appreciated.

Last, finding these wheels shouldn't be that big of a job. They DO turn up at swap meets, Etc. But, my take is IF your four mounted wheels are correct for the car in all respects except dating, I'd go with what you've got and spend your time afterward collecting the correctly dated wheels WHEN your find them and WHEN the price is right.

**Kenny C.** · July 28, 2009, 05:42 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

So does that mean reproduction wheels are okay for judging as long as I have the right tire on them?

**Dennis S.** · July 28, 2009, 06:04 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

The dates do not necessarily match up. Here are mine:

K-1-9 3 20 AZ
K-1-9 3 21 AZ
K-1-9 3 20 AZ
K-1-9 ? 17 AZ
K-1-9 3 2 AZ (Spare)

My engine build date is 3-25-69 and the body is 4-7-69

If you want to be really correct, make sure you refinish your new wheels with the argent silver paint that has the slight green tint to it. My original spare (with original F70-15 Polyglas still on it) has the green tint and somebody sells spray cans, but it ain't cheap.

**Terry M.** · July 28, 2009, 07:24 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

For my 1970, trim tag date A29. January 29, 1970:
All 5 wheel rims are stamped: K = Kelsey-Hayes; 1 = plant; 9 = 1969;
12 = December; 22 = 22; AZ = Corvette 8 inch wide rally wheels.

I have seen a number of other original early C3 Corvettes with all five wheels having the same date.

**Kenny C.** · July 28, 2009, 07:49 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Terry
Okay so your just bragging now about how perfect your rims are

But even so I still don't know what the real answer is. Do I need to worry about dated wheels at all (excluding the spare) for judging purpose? Frankly the re pops are probably better looking simply due to the fact that they are new however I don't want to get whacked on points some day.

**Terry M.** · July 28, 2009, 08:55 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

The dates on the road wheels are not generally judged, just as Jack said. I have seen occasions when part of the date is visible through the trim ring opening, and an eagle-eyed judge has evaluated what is visible. There are other features of wheels. I saw a thread here not too long ago about a quarter being used to test an opening, but I don't know if that applies to C3s or not.

I think too the new wheels will not have the greenish hue to the paint, but many people have agonized about that finish in the past. At least you have on original to match it against.

I am not bragging, the condition of those wheels is pretty sad -- but it is the original finish and they ARE what the car came with. I merely wanted to offer a counter-point to Jack's date information, and also provide my experience. Like everything on this forum, you are free to take it for what it costs you. As you are finding out, the toughest judge will be you; and in the end that is the only judge you will have to satisfy.

**John M.** · July 28, 2009, 09:12 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Nice set of K dated AZ's on E-bay with Bias Ply Redlines on them.

If I wasn't so broke, I'd be all over them. (mainly because I have a December car and they'd be perfect)

Of course, I'll never find them again when I have the money.

**Kenny C.** · July 29, 2009, 12:31 AM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Terry
Hey no offense intended, I'm very appreciative of the advice. I am a complete novice in this arena so the input I receive from all of you is invaluable to me.
As a matter of fact that set on Ebay is exactly what i was thinking of for my car. I was not sure if it was proper to put those on my car or if reproductions were just as good considering the date issue. Besides if they really don't fit my car why take them off the market for someone who really needs them.

**Terry M.** · July 29, 2009, 06:54 AM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

No offense taken. It is wise to remember the advice one gets here IS really worth about what you pay for it. Also remember it is your car, and you can do what you want with it. Sure we have a "party line" here, but no one has to follow it.

**Greg L.** · July 29, 2009, 08:16 AM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

I just had a quick look on ebay and if we are looking at the same set I think only one of the four is a 69 rim and that would be the Jan-15 one. The other three I believe are 79 rims.

**John M.** · July 29, 2009, 03:13 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Pardon Our Interruption...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290333963541&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&salenotsupported

This one?

**Kenny C.** · July 29, 2009, 03:20 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Yes those are the one i was looking at. One seems to be Jan 69 the others are May i believe. My car is a March build.

**John M.** · July 29, 2009, 03:35 PM

Re: 1969 ralley wheels

Greg is saying that (3) were produced (10) years after your car was produced which is even worse.

Hopefully he'll expound.. I'm assuming it's the e22 code.

All I'm familiar with is Month Letter and year date along with code suffix.

Interesting that Corvette would keep the same wheel Suffix for 10 years if that's the case.

1969 ralley wheels

1969 ralley wheels

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