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How do id 1963 1964 corvette steel wheels.
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Re: 1963-1964 steel wheel ID
On the face side of the wheel at the valve stem there are two bumps punched from the inner side of the rim.
The rim has to be a 15x5 1/2. Full size Chevies were 14 inch (beginning in '57) with the exception of police cars and taxis.
On the face side of the spyder, on one of the rises between the lug nut stud holes is stamped GM. I have and example of an NOS "8080" that still has the parts sticker still on it, that does not have GM stamped on the face of the spyder.
There are stampings on the area of the outer rim that is covered when a tire is mounted. They will be clustered together. I have heard it said that they are usually near the valve stem hole. I have found this, but many times have found them not to be anywhere near the valve stem hole.
There will be a Kelsey Hayes stamp with the words formed in a circle. Usually next to it will be the Tire and Rim Association stamp. Or is it Rim and Tire Association, I forget. It is a circular type thing that does not comprise of any words but an indescribable symbol. It is a circular type thing as well. Near these will be stamped 15x5 1/2 K. The K designates the configuration of the outer rim. As an example the configuration of the outer rim of a '65-6 rim is JK in order to clear the caliper. Just below the 15x5 1/2K stamp, in a smaller font and often at an angle to the 15x5 1/2K stamp will be the date code. It will comprise of the month and year. Example, the rim I'm looking at is 3 64. The 3 is just under the 15 of 15x5 1/2K and the 64 is just under the 5 1/2.
Stampings can be hard to find. They are often faint and uneven with characters missing. Often filled with paint too. I've had to resort to lights and a magnifying glass, sandpaper, and paint stripper etc.
There are NO stampings at the valve stem hole on the out board side. Except on later service replacements.
The K configuration of original wheels differs from the service replacement (known as the 8080 wheel) that replaced it in parts books in '66. The "8080" wheel is stamped 15x5 1/2K as well but has a large H about an inch away. Original wheels "slope from their horizontal plane (or lowest "flat" plane when viewed from above) that the center spyder is welded to, towards the bead at the in board side of the rim. On the "8080" rim you can see that this plane has been somewhat squared up to an increased diameter to clear a disc brake caliper beginning at the plane where the spyder is welded to. No gentle slope. I mention this as a method of trying to determine if the wheel your looking at is an original type K configuration or a service replacement when checking the rim with a tire mounted. This angle can be seen from the backside of the rim with a tire mounted if you know what to look for.
The center spyders are fuse welded to the rim.
You will have to check the archives because there are wheels with a small hole in one of the rises between the lug nut stud holes. I forget but I think some '63's have this. I forget and my notes are not handy. Never are. But it's in the archives some time back. I have some 3 63 ( March '63) wheels and they do not have the hole.
I can send you a photo of the stamping if it helps.
I am always interested in the dates found on rims as I think they were made in "batches".
Dan -
Re: 1963-1964 steel wheel ID
My original wheels for my early Oct built '64 do not have the small hole.Comment
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