Points judging on wheels for a 65

[Harvie C.]

I have a set Western Wheels Corp. K-H that came on the car. My question is would I be better off points wise using these wheels or buying a set of steel wheels and spinner hub caps? I would like to able to win a First flight with this car. Thanks for your help.
Harvie Childers (50951)

[Ara G.]

Re: Points judging on wheels for a 65

Harvie, welcome to NCRS. I have a good friend who is bringing a stunning 65 roadster to Kissimmee for Flight Judging. He too has a set of western knock offs on his car. I advised him he would get dinged big time with those rims. Also, he has radials on the westerns so that's a further deduct. I told him to get a set of original steel wheels with original caps. That's the best way to go for him, and for you too. The wheels and rims are a large deduct. Good luck with you car and it's judging. ARA

[Jack H.]

Re: Points judging on wheels for a 65

Such cars also need attention to companion details... With factory original KO's there were differences in the interior (jacking label, road emergency lead hammer, Etc.). So, the full silhouette of the car needs to match.

The standard deduction rules require a FULL DEDUCTION for dealer/owner inspired configuration changes. Since Western KO wheels were NOT factory parts, it's a pretty good bet the car(s) they wind up on were NOT factory original KO equipped!

[Page C.]

Re: Points judging on wheels for a 65

The 1965 Judging Guide in the exterior section page 80 states.
Judging Guidance:
Deduct 75% for reproduction wheels with correct finish, color or configuration and deduct 90% for reproduction wheels with incorrect finish(black), color or configuration.
I don't think it is spelled out in the 1966 or 67 Judging Guides, although I have not seen the new 1966 guide.
It was my understanding that this was done to discourage the owners from installing these repro KO wheels in lieu of the factory rims and hubcaps for judging events.
So for the 1966 & 67 you could use Jack H. for owner added options.
Regards,
Page Campbell

[Clark K.]

Re: Points judging on wheels for a 65

I have a set Western Wheels Corp. K-H that came on the car. My question is would I be better off points wise using these wheels or buying a set of steel wheels and spinner hub caps? I would like to able to win a First flight with this car. Thanks for your help. Harvie Childers (50951)

Harvie, you are always better off, originality points-wise, by going with original factory-installed and original items. Since Western KO wheels are reproductions, they get a 75% originality points deduction on both the wheels and the spinners. That's 30 originality points (22 points-wheels + 8 points-spinners). There are additional point deductions for condition (deterioration) issues, if they exist.

Only you can decide whether having the Western KO wheels and radial tires is too costly, originality points-wise. Many cars can Top Flight at the chapter level with reproduction wheels and other changes, as did mine. It is at the regional level that things get really dicey.

When I took my car to regional after Top Flighting at the chapter level, those 30 points and loads of other point deductions really added up. Even after correcting many items after the chapter meet, I wound up with about 92% at the regional level, which got me 2nd Flight. I am now considering buying steel wheels and wheel covers in order to recoup those 30 points my car lost. -Clark

[Tony S.]

Re: Points judging on wheels for a 65

For judging, buy steel wheels and hub caps.

For cruising, put on your Western Wheels and radials and enjoy the ride!

Tony