66 steel wheels

[Jim J.]

I am new to this board and was hoping you could give me some advice. I have a '66 with repro knockoff wheels on it. I'd like to go to real steel wheels and hubcaps as I really like the look and hate having spinners on the car that say "Made in Taiwan" (that just seems wrong to me). I have been looking at a few sets on ebay and another forum and wondered what a decent set should go for and what I should look for as far as condition? I've got the NCRS manual and I think I've got a handle on markings/date codes, two bumps, etc., but wanted to get your advice. Also, was there any difference in 65 v. 66 wheels? Were some stamped with GM stamp and some not? Thanks in advance. Since I've joined this forum, I've really learned alot.

[Don H.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Jim
anyone who thinks that anything that is marked "Made in Taiwan" has no business residing on a 1966 Sting Ray is a good guy in my book, and should feel right at home on this blog. Welcome!

Someone should answer your original steel wheel questions in short order.

[R N.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Jim,

Welcome. Try some of the Corvette dealers - very often they remove the original steel wheel and replace them with the repro knock-offs to add eye candy to the car that's for sale.

Years back, when I bought my '66 from Mershon's, I went back there a few months after I purchased the car and he allowed me to pick though a 100 wheels or so, I went home with 9 nice steel wheels.

None of the dealers would let you do that now, because the have realized that even the plain 'ol 15" x 5-1/2" JK steel wheels as getting expesive.

Another source would be to go to Corvettes at Carlisle in August.

I prefer to "see" wheels in person as photos don't always show what you are really getting - bent, rust pitting etc.

Good success on your search.

[Donald H.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Of course there is also Ebay. There are a number of wheels listed now that claim to be for 66 vette. They range from $200 - $300 each. I have a 66 coupe and have the steel wheels and hub caps. Didn't know the wheels were that scarce. I'll have to take a look and see if they are correct

[Rob M.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Jim,

You might have an easier time finding service replacement wheels. These are virtually identical to the factory supplied wheels minus the date stamp and a couple of other stampings that can't be seen with a tire mounted. They are made in US and 1/2 the cost of "original" wheels.

Just an idea

[David L.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Rob,

Where can you buy 65-66 Corvette service replacement wheels? I believe that the 3869156 has been discontinued by GM.

The 4 wheels on my 66 Corvette are original (stamped 15 X5 1/2 JK, month & year date code, Kelsey-Hayes stamping along with the logo on the rim part that can not be seen with a mounted tire) but my spare tire is mounted on a NOS 3869156 wheel that I bought in 1980 at my local Chevrolet dealership. According to my notes the NOS wheel is stamped "K 1 8", "3", "16" near the valve hole (March 16, 1978). The wheel was shipped from Progress and Winks, Bensalem, PA 19020 on Feb. 07, 1980.
The NOS wheel (1978 service replacement) is identical to my original 66 wheels except for the stampings.

Jim,
If you don't want to spend $1000 to $1200 for 4 original 65-66 Corvette wheels you might want to consider 1969-1972 Chevrolet 15 X 6 JK wheels. These wheels have a "DJ", "DL", or "DH" code stamped near the valve hole.

Dave

[Ronald L.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Jim,
From a more techincal restoration point of view...

You have two options, the service replacement GM wheel or original.

Here are the differences, some really important.

THe 65 66 wheel made by Kelsy Hayes has a MM YY date stamp inside, their logo, a another stamp. These are never seen unless you lose a tire, but it is still there, you know it and if you plan to have an original restoration, a rim dated after you car was built will bug you, even if it was only one and had a story behind it, it will be wrongly dated from the factory.

Now, the important saftery change that was made on the service part - that is VERY VISIBLE - from the back side -- is the safety bead that keeps the tire on the rim in the event you hit a curb.

The GM service part is notably different if you plan to judge the car.

If driving the car is the ojective, get the GM service parts.

I have both, the originals stashed and a set of the service parts on the car with radials so we can fly like an eagle.

Pricing is always higher spring to summer, especially on the originals. If you plan to go that route, try and find properly date coded rims for you car and that might take a year or so but once you have them you'll look back and say that wasn't that long afterall. You will also probably find better pricing as a set. On the condition, I'd personally pay more for those with clearly original paint, a little surface rust and non chewed up holes for the lug nuts. If the stamps inside are illegible - run from that rim.

You never know what is under a repaint. Also, the paint tends to clog up the KH stamping so you're better off being able to see that straight forward. Have patience, anxiety leads to the big price.

Since GM discontinued that service rim, it is also becoming harder to find, the big shows and the flee-bay are good places to look.

[David L.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Ron,

I assume by service wheel you are talking about the GM 3869156 wheel sold over the counter and made by Kelsey (not Kelsey-Hayes). When I get a chance I will compare by spare (NOS 3869156 wheel made in 1978) with my original wheels on my 1966. I don't remember any physical differences but back in 1980 I did not put them side by side and measure them with a micrometer.

Dave

[Wayne M.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

A few more shots of a '156' produced in 1984. These were still available in the early '90s from your GM dealer. K184_7 23 don't know what the '08' (or '80') means. One of the spokes has a 'G' on it (not a '6' or part of 'GM'). There's also a number '14' stamped on another of the raised spokes.

Even if these are dimensionally and shape-identical to TFP '65 and '66, the stampings on the raised hub spokes are visible through the openings in the '65 wheelcover, but have to look closely; [can't say for '66].

[Timothy B.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Ronald,

Can you post a picture of this safety bead on the service rim. I don't see it in Wayne's picture..

[Wayne M.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Ronald,

Can you post a picture of this safety bead on the service rim. I don't see it in Wayne's picture..

Tim -- I believe the safety bead was only on the outboard side back in those days. See first pic in this thread (comparing factory JK and knock-off off-sets).

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...64976&uid=3825

I did look at another non-Corvette wheel I have [K 2-9__5(valve)3__RF; 15 x 6 JJ Kelsey Canada], and it does have a raised ridge on the inboard, but not as square-ish as the outboard.

[Jim C.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Jim,

I totally agree with you on the "made in Taiwan" thing!! I got rid of a set of reproduction knockoffs right after I bought my '66 back in 2006. I bought a set of four, early 1966 dated, original K-H steel wheels for $35 apiece. The wheels were in good shape, but still needed some restoration. I had them blasted with walnut shells, primed them, and painted them. Then, I bought a nice "driver quality" set of four original wheel covers and spinners for $250. I think I got a pretty good deal on the steel wheels, but paid a fair price for driver quality wheel covers/spinners.

Jim C.

[Jim J.]

Re: 66 steel wheels

Thanks all for all of the information and kind words of welcome. Very helpful. I'll let you know what I end up with.