Kelsey Hays Knock-offs

[Mike Walker]

I have a set of Kelsey Hays knock offs that were taken off my 1964
coupe and I have been trying to find out if they are original or
later repos. The numbers on the back are KH D-49985 and B12 16,
A12 13. I have tried a search for Kelsey Hays and didn't find what
I was looking for. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

[Michael W.]

try "Kelsey Hayes" lots of stuff available *NM*

[Mike Walker]

Re: try "Kelsey Hayes" lots of stuff available

Mike:

Thanks for the reply. I have searched "Kelsey Hayes" and can find
no listing for the numbers. If you know where it can be found, I
would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Mike

[G B.]

KH vs. Reproductions

Mike -

I think your wheels are GM versions. I've never seen reproductions cast with the markings that you have. My GM wheels have the same casting numbers.

The date codes on the late '64-6 wheels are a mystery to me. I don't know how to read them. The early '64 KO wheels have a circular ink stamp on the back with a regular date in it. The dates like you have on your wheels are stamped into the back, right?

[Brian M.]

Re: KH vs. Reproductions

This subject came up a number of times at the "HBB". Although I have not inspected wheels with the tires removed, the general consensus was that original 64-67 wheels have thinner splines and all 64-67 original wheel have a deeper lip on the outter edge. Original 67 wheels also have a grey color between the splines with repo wheel having a black color. I took a number of pictures of these wheels this past week end including the Motorama car at Al Wiesmans museum in Tarpon Springs. It sounds like you have real wheels.

[Mike L.]

Re: Kelsey Hays Knock-offs

Mike, I have a set of early 64 wheels with the ink marks and also seen later orig. wheels sounds like you have a real set.

[Mike Walker]

Re: KH vs. Reproductions

Jerry:

Yes the date or code is stamped on the back. I have the tires
off and find no other codes or numbers anywhere else. I have a
set of bolt-ons on the car and was considering selling these, as
they do not have pins or any type of lock. I drive my car often
and really do not want to worry about losing a wheel. I thank
everyone for their time and response, also, ballpark what will
they bring. They probably are 7 or 8 on scale to 10, no road rash.
Any help appreciated. Thanks.
Mike

[Tom B.]

Re: KH vs. Reproductions

Mike,

If the wheels have the KH D-49985 cast in an oval on the backside along with the stamped dates then that would indicate they are an original Kelsey-Hayes production knock-off wheel. There's been some discussion that early reproduction knock-offs still had the cast KH D-49985, but I've yet to ever see any to compare. The ink stamped dating was discontinued sometime late in the 1965 model year and was replaced by the deep, metal die stamped dates like yours. To the best of my knowledge the A, B, or C would designate the shift at the Kelsey-Hayes manufacturing facility. The "12 13" and "12 16" you mentioned would indicate that they were date stamped on December 13 and December 16, respectively. I don't know how long Kelsey-Hayes continued to manufacture the knock-off style wheel after the 1966 model year, and as you are aware the 1967 aluminum bolt on was a replacement / restyle for the Corvette, so my best guess is that your December dates are for December 1965, though they could be later.

Also, you've only given two dates. It would be of some interest to know if your wheels are styled for 1964 with polished cones and bare (no paint) fins or if they are styled for 1965 or 1966. Regardless, your 1964 coupe may have came factory equipped with the P48 Cast Aluminum Quick Take-off Wheels option, but they would not have been equipped with the knock-off wheels that have a metal die stamped date. Tbarr #24014

[Mike Walker]

Re: KH vs. Reproductions

Tom:

Have looked over the wheels again and the KH D-49985 is cast in
an oval. However, I have the original build sheet for the car
and it did not come with knock-off wheels, actually tire & wheel
sizes were not shown period. Also, the spinners appear polished
or maybe brushed aluminum and the fins are not painted. The
spinners appear to be original.

I would have to agree with you that the wheels were probably added
after being built and being a late run 64 (July) probably had the
wheels added in 1965. I really thank you for your help and knowledge.

The car is almost original and has not been restored, so I was
unsure at this time to part with them or keep them for later if
restored to NCRS specs. Anyway, I gained some valuable
information that I didn't know.

Thanks again,
Mike

[Al Corelli]

HBB?

What was the HBB?

AC

[Brian M.]

Re: HBB?

Al, the HBB was a gathering of VetteMinded people in Hernando Beach, coinciding with the NCRS Orlando Regional Meet. Hence the Hernando Beach Bash. Great group of guy's with the love of Corvettes. And no one got hurt.