67 Kelsey Hayes Bolt-ons, How do you tell?

[Rick Stecchi]

Should all original 67 Kelsey Hayes wheels have the K-H embossed on the inside of the wheel?

I have 4 K-H on my 37K mile original 67 and they have the K-H embossed on them. I am trying to get a 5th and when I ask to see a pic of the K-K they say the wheels do not have K-H embossed in. They say as long as the the fins are thinner and the outside lip is deeper, it proves it is a K-H wheel.

What is the real deal?

Thanks....

[Mark L.]

67 Bolt-On's

Rick, As far as I know there is nothing cast in, stamped in or otherwise on original bolt-ons. I have a set that are original to my car without anything on the inside. I believe there is a picture of a typical wheel in Nolan Adams book. Having said that, perhaps very early wheels or very late wheels had something on the inside.

[Rick Stecchi]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

Thanks for the input Mark.

My 67 was built the last week in March and all the wheels definately have the
K-H embossed in.

Strange huh.. Now that I have the embossing, I won't buy a fifth without the
K-H in it.

Thanks again,

Rick

[bill stephenson]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

--------I have a spare NOS knock-off that has no KH in the cast in oval area. I have often wondered why theres nothing there.............Bill S

[Warren F.]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

Bill:

E-bay just ended an auction where 1 NOS 67 bolt on wheel went for more than $2,025.00.

[Rick Stecchi]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

The one on ebay is the one I asked for proof of it being a real K-H bolt on. He said it did not have any markings on it so I did not bid.

Was it a real K-H bolt on wheel?

[Warren F.]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

Rick:

I don't know, but it was listed as NOS and not as a Repro. I would have to assume that by using the acronym NOS that he was aware that it was GM unused stock.

[Jerry W.]

Re: 67 Kelsey Hayes Bolt-ons, How do you tell?

The wheel on Ebay was real. I have a set just like them. The originals had the spiral mark coming from the center,the reinforced ribs and the deeper outer lip and thinner fins. None of the reproductions had these . Does yours have a number with the KH. Nolan Adams wrote of an early casting that was going to be used but stated no documented examples are known. I'm sure he would like to see yours.I think you have some very special wheels.

[Michael S.]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

Warren,

The bolton wheel just sold on EBAY was mine and it WAS NOT listed as NOS or N.O.S. It was advertised as an original Kelsey Hayes bolton wheel because that is what it is! This wheel is a VERY nice used original wheel. It has never been to any of the "wheel" guys for refinishing and has never had any damage or curbing.

This wheel did not have any stampings on the back or cast in "KH" designation. There are detailed pictures of the front and backside of the wheel on Ebay showing the lips and the "ribbing" on the back of the wheels. This wheel is exactly like another set of original wheels with no markings on the back that were delivered new on my wife's July built 1967 convertible.

From my observations over the years, original 67 "KH" boltons with marking or a cast "KH" in the back would be the unusual/rare/hard to find. The gentleman who started this thread and myself spoke during the auction. "I" have never seen a bolton with the markings he describes on his wheels. Maybe we all have learned something new here??

[Warren F.]

Mike....sorry, I was mistaken, delirious I guess! *NM*

[Rick Stecchi]

Re: 67 Kelsey Hayes Bolt-ons, How do you tell?

Hey Guys ,

Thanks for all the input.

As soon as I return from my business trip, I will take a wheel off and post a picture of the K-H markings for additional comments.

Did you guys see the red, white, and blue Bolt-on center cap picture I posted?

What's up with that? Check it out if you have a chance and give me your thoughts on it.

I have all 4 NOS in boxes.

Thanks again,

Rick

[Rick Stecchi]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

Here is what I found when I pulled one wheel off today:

Embossed in is:

WESTERN WHEEL CORP. K-H

Along with 2 sets of numbers on them:

Number 306067 is embossed in

And number ZA7241 is stamped in

Anyone that can help me document these wheels I would really appreciate it.

I will post pictures soon or I can email them to you if you are interested in seeing them before hand.

Thanks,

[Michael S.]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

Ray,

Sounds to me like they "may" be repo wheels since the say "Western". Look a the pictures of my completed auction, particularly the backside of the wheels. The pronounced ribbing on the back side of the wheels will be just like the pictures I posted. Repo's are not like this at all. There is also a definite difference in the thickness of the fins on the front side of the wheels and the depth of the lip area on the front of the wheels.

Post your pictures and I am sure the experts can confirm or deny the originality of your wheels.

Mike

[Rick Stecchi]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

Anything is possible, however given the originality of the 37K mile car, is it possible the ZA7241 stands for Jan, 67 set # 241 of the 720 made?

My car wade built the last week of March 67.

FYI, the wheels are balanced on the inside unlike repos.

[Rick Stecchi]

Re: 67 Bolt-On's

Any suggestions on these markings?