68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

[Steven H.]

I need a spare wheel & tire for my 68 convertible in preparation for judging this spring. I note from the judging manual that ONLY the spare wheel for 68 had a date stamp and other data on the wheel. Anyone know the point deduction for a "replacement" wheel, or have thoughts on finding an original dated wheel?

Many thanks,

Steve Ham

[Mike E.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

Only the spare wheel is JUDGED for date, etc. I believe that's what the manual says.

[Tom D.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

I have one "AG" wheel with extra numbers by the valve stem. I thought they didn't have any more than simply "AG" by the valve stem, but I am not a 1968 expert.

My neighbor has many "FW" wheels which are almost, but not exactly the same.

Bottom line, I am looking forward to watching this discussion.

Thanks

[John C.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

Steven

All the wheels have date codes but only the spare wheel is judged as the other are covered by the trim rings or wheel cover during judging.

Used original wheels can be bought from many Corvette part suppliers. Try Paragon Vintage or Crane's Corvette. They won't be cheap. Paragon wanted $200 last time I checked.

Reproduction wheels are also available but they probably won't be 100% correct in shape in the center section of the wheel and will be missing the wheel and date code stamping the judges will be looking for.

A total of 5 points is given for spare wheel originality and date. I'll let a more experience judge comment on what your expected deduction would be.

The picture below shows an example of the date coding found on my car. 1 is the month and 31 the day. This wheel was used on a car assembled April 18. You may also have other stamping near the air hole for bead type, manufacturing plant, and year. These are missing on the wheels of my car.

John

[Tom D.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

Here is one from the month of December. It's December 1967 because of the date inside (which cannot be seen with the tire mounted) is 12 67. Also, see below about the "7" by the valve stem hole.

This photo example has the "factory" information that is missing on the above example. Here it's "K1" over a "7". Alan Colvin's book "Chevrolet By the Numbers" and other sources explain that code, AND give the full dimensions of such wheels. Colvin says the "K1" means Kelsey Hayes, factory in Romulus, Mich. The "7" is the year of manufacture.

There are 15x7 "FW" wheels which are very close to the dimensions of the "AG" wheel. They (FWs) came from Chevelles and Monte Carlos. These are usually dated in the early 70's, from my experience. They are much more common at swap meets. In fact, I bought one yesterday for $25 - Then wondered why I bought it. I love having extra rally wheels around...

[Joseph C.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

I have an early 68 and the only markings are AG. I believe in late production cars they started date coding the wheels. Go on craigs list, I saw a guy in the Atlanta area have a set for sale.
Joe

[Terry B.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

I remember a thread and possibly a Restorer article that stated AG wheels on the 1968 model did not have date codes by the valve stem hole until after January 1, 1968. Here is the thread I found in the archives on this subject: https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...codes&uid=7517

I have 5 AG (7 inch) rims in my garage off my December 8, 1967 built car that only have AG to the right of the valve stem hole and no date code. If your Corvette was built before the January 1, 1968 date (and I bet it is a convertible too), all you need is the AG stamp. Based on this thinking, there should not be any AG rims dated any earlier than January 1, 1968 near the valve stem hole.

[Steven H.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

As a "newbie" to this hobby, I'm simply floored at the amount of knowledge out there in the netherworld on topics like this. Thanks to all for your replys.

Steve Ham

[Jack H.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

A total of 5 points is given for spare wheel originality and date. I'll let a more experience judge comment on what your expected deduction would be.

Using the NCRS matrix scoring policy of dividing the universe of originality along five dimensions (Finish, Date, Installation, Configuration and Completeness) with equal weighting to each absent any scoring guidance in the JG book or mention in the NCRS Corvette Judging Reference Manual, you wind up with:

1/5 x 5 = ONE JUDGING POINT

allocated to wheel date!

Are you absolutely certain this is a detail you want to devote scarce restoration funds to?

[Dale C.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

Anybody know where to get that correct greenish silver paint?
Dale

[Erik S.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

I agree with Jack although I have recently purchased an original wheel for my 68 (check Driveline - I would say in every edition there are members that put 1 or more wheels up for sale). I purchased an original wheel as the former owner tried to squeeze a 69 wheel with wider tires into the 68 spare tire carrier (with an obvious result - cracking it).

Consider swapping one of the four wheels with correct code for a repro replacement. 99% of the judges I would guess would not try to identify codes through stem holes

[Jack C.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

Eastwood has the paint.

[Anthony S.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

I remember a thread and possibly a Restorer article that stated AG wheels on the 1968 model did not have date codes by the valve stem hole until after January 1, 1968. Here is the thread I found in the archives on this subject: https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthrea...codes&uid=7517

I have 5 AG (7 inch) rims in my garage off my December 8, 1967 built car that only have AG to the right of the valve stem hole and no date code. If your Corvette was built before the January 1, 1968 date (and I bet it is a convertible too), all you need is the AG stamp. Based on this thinking, there should not be any AG rims dated any earlier than January 1, 1968 near the valve stem hole.

Not to argue, my January 24, 1968 car has 2 wheels just stamped "AG," and 2 stamped K-1-7 12-20-AG (it had no spare) around the valve stem.

I have since found 3 wheels stamped K-1-7 / 12-21-AG around the valve stem. None of these 12-21 wheels have any stampings on the inside between the bead. I guess I should have read the JG a little closer before I bought them.

I don't remember seeing any wheels with earlier dates than 12-20 stamped around the valve stem than this.

Anthony

[Jeff G.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

I'm curious to know when judging the spare tire if the paint daub is considered in the criteria. My original spare still has this so I assume this might be advised to those people replacing that tire. (link to pic)
Jeff

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u135/selectgear/DSC00337.jpg

[Patrick N.]

Re: 68 spare wheel and ncrs judging

Jeff,
Does your spare also have the little BB sized welded dot on the rim that aligns to the paint mark? Hard to tell from the photo but it looks like it is there. Not all spares have this dot. I think it was a "high spot" marker but not sure.