1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

[Kevin M.]

I have a couple older judging manuals, but not the latest... the two I have conflict with each other as to whether the wheels on a 1960 should be welded or rivited... can someone help me out with what is currently deemed as correct ?

Thank you!

[Edward M.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

My understanding is that all Corvette 5 inch wheels from about mid 56 and later are welded.

Of course, all 5 1/2 inch wheels are riveted.

[Mark P.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

I asked this question to Tim Mickey who confirmed you need the dogbone type welded rim for a 1960 to pass judging.

[Ian G.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

when do the non-dogbone welded rims start?

[Dan A.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

This subject has been covered a number of times on this board over the years. There should be a fair amount of info in the archives. Seems I posted these pictures in recent months.

I have owned this wheel for a long time. The wheel is fuse welded and dated 4 60. No dog bones. The history of this wheel is known back to the late 60's when the car was fited with mags. This wheel, the spare was separated from the car in the 70's.

Tried to attach photos of the date and weld but he Board informs me that I have already done so in the following thread, 15 X 5 Wheels for a 1960

[Ian G.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

So a 60 should NOT have dogbones?
That's what I thought, but I keep hearing conflicting info.

[Mark P.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

Ian - a 60 MUST have dogbone welds to pass judging unless it has the 5.5" wheel option.

None of the prior posts I read on this have been conclusive about this which is why I e-mailed Tim.

Has anyone flight judged a 1960 at a Regional or National meet in which they were the original owner with non-dogbone welded 5" wheels and received no deducts ?

Mark

[Ian G.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

Well if that's what Tim said, that's what counts on the judging field!
However, that other thread mentioned above indicates that early 60's may have had dogbones, but otherwise should be fuse welded without dogbones. At the bottom are pics of a wheel dated 4/60 welded, but no dogbones... in fact, I think you started the thread :P

[Mark P.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

How can you be sure the 4/60 KH wheel came off a Corvette ? The poster can't confirm it was delivered that way.

Tim told me he thinks that non-dog bone wheels may have came on 1960 Corvettes but he has no proof.

[Dan A.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

Ian - a 60 MUST have dogbone welds to pass judging unless it has the 5.5" wheel option.

[Dan A.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

[quote=Mark Pellowski (49021);448351]How can you be sure the 4/60 KH wheel came off a Corvette ? The poster can't confirm it was delivered that way.quote]

[Ian G.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

To me it seems to be a grey area. I know there is a team doing the new 58-60 JG, so this will probably come up. It seems likely that there was a switch over to the fuse weld/no dogbones some time in 60 production... But this is just speculation on my part.

[Dan A.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

Tim told me he thinks that non-dog bone wheels may have came on 1960 Corvettes but he has no proof.

I’ve looked for the post by Dale Pearman from a few yeas back and haven’t found it. Dale stated his view on dog bone wheels from his research on the subject. I have no absolute imperical proof but I am inclined to side with Dale. We feel the dog bone wheels may have been factory installed on much earlier cars. My thoughts are the 56 and maybe the early 57 model years. It is important to recognize that I can not at this time prove that.

I think it would be helpful if you would post a set of photos of a dog bone wheel, with all the generally accepted characteristics of Corvette wheels of that time frame, that is dated 1959 or 1960.

Further it would be even more enlightening if you could provide proof that said wheel was installed at the St Louis Corvette Assembly planet and delivered with same as you say.

[Mark P.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

Daniel - I hope someday this is resolved. I would like to know if riveted or fusion welded wheels are being judged as OK in Regional and National flight judging.

I recently heard there were no Bowtie 1960's yet. Maybe someday we will see one. I will start looking at 1-3 star cars and see what wheels they have on them.

I know people with a set of each of the rivited, dog bone weld and fusion welded wheels to make sure they are covered if this ever gets resolved.



Thanks,

Mark

[Valeria H.]

Re: 1960 Wheels... welded or rivited?

I recently purchased a set of 5 Kelsey Hayes 1960 wheels from J T Piper. He tells me they were the original wheel for the 1960. They have not had tires mounted on them yet as I am waiting for the spinners to be rechromed before I order the tires. Would it help if I took a picture and posted it of these wheels? I do not know the difference between dogbone and riveted or welded. If they are the original wheel this may solve the quandry.
Valeria