K.O. Wheels/Adams Book

[Michael H.]

I'd like to clear up another incorrect assumption about KO wheels. Over the years, I've heard many references to the picture in the Noland Adams book about the boxes of KO wheels that are INSIDE the back of a coupe as the body traveled down the assembly line. (not sure what page) The caption went something like; "This car was to have KO wheels, note KH boxes inside rear of the car".

First of all, wheel/tires were assembled in a completely different building and sent to the main building/assy line on an overhead conveyor so there would have been no reason any wheels would have been placed inside the car at any time during assy. That would make absolutely no sense.

Most important though is the fact that the KH boxes are not even actually IN the car but behind the car on a storage rack. It just looks like they're in the car.

Michael

[Donald T.]

Re: K.O. Wheels/Adams Book

Michael, You know far more about procedures on the line than I do, but I'm not convinced. The photo is on page 318 and the second photo tells the story. The second picture would have been taken moments earlier from the same vantage point. In the second pic with the hardtop on the line, there are no KH boxes behind the cars on the line. Only plain brown boxes. You would know better than me, but when reviewing both photos, it sure looks like the KH box is in the back of the coupe. Wish I could just tap the shoulder of one of those guys in the photo and ask a few questions

[Michael H.]

Re: K.O. Wheels/Adams Book

Don,

Anything is possible but it sure wouldn't make any sense to load a set of wheels into a body in one area of the plant just to move them to another area in the plant, then unloaded them again so tires could be mounted and then installed on the car. There were some wacky processes at that plant but that would be by far the most bizarre.

Soon after the 63 model run, there was no tire mounting or balancing equipment on or near the line, or in the same building, at all, so that would make this even more unlikely.

It was once suggested that the KO wheels were loaded into the car, then the car was completed with standard steel wheels and sent to the rear building so the wheels could be switched. That makes even less sense. It never happened.

I've watched a LOT of aluminum wheel/tire assy's come into the building on the overhead trestle so I know they were not delivered to the line any other way.

Also, the fact that the boxes were marked Kelsey Hayes does not necessarily mean they were aluminum wheels.

I don't have the Noland Adams book here so I can't be sure on the pic's but I seem to remember that the boxes appeared to be behind the car, not in it. Could be wrong.

Michael

[Donald T.]

Re: K.O. Wheels/Adams Book

Thanks Michael. You would certainly know better than I. I would have been no more than 2 years old when that picture was taken! I may be trying to connect dots that just aren't there, trying to figure out the significance of the "Q" in the job number. BTW, really do appreciate the expertise you bring to the board. Your experience and insight is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

[Michael H.]

Re: K.O. Wheels/Adams Book

Thanks Don. Wish I could provide some info on the "Q" code but I have no idea what the exact meaning is. I believe that was A. O. Smith only, not St. Louis. I think you and some of the others that responded on the earlier post may be on the right track though.

[Michael H.]

Pic of Whel/Tire Run @ Mill *NM*

[Michael H.]

Pic of Wheel/Tire @ Mill

The scan shows the end of the wheel/tire run at the plant. The wheels and tires were assembled and balanced in a building several hundred feet behind the main building. The assemblies were then sent on an overhead trestle, about 20' off the ground, across the rear lot and into the rear of the main bldg. They rolled freely, one by one, eventually dropping (crashing))to the lower level and onto the slightly angled final ten feet of the run. It should now be obvious why the wheel/tire assy's had to be sent from the wheel/tire bldg in the exact correct order to match the job on the line at that time. (note the aluminum wheels in line for the next job) This was not a quiet operation and about every minute, another assy would crash into the stop at the end of the run.

[John H.]

Re: K.O. Wheels/Adams Book

Don -

Here's a list of the conditions (other than coupe/convertible body style) that the Body Shop had to know about during the midyear era and which had to be coded one way or another, either in the off-line subassembly areas or on the main line, so unique operations could be performed to accommodate them:

Radio - antenna hole in rear deck.

BB Engine - hood, riveted hood support reinforcement & bolt holes, fill existing rivet holes for expansion tank bracket (except L-88), added engine harness clips, fender emblem holes, unique radiator support.

T.I. - Amplifier mounting holes.

N14 Sidepipes - Unique birdcage, body cuts, exhaust panel.

Top Configuration - soft top only, hardtop option with soft top, or hardtop only (hole combinations for bolts/latches on top compartment lid).

Transmission - Holes/riveted clips for backup light wires on manuals.

A31 Power Windows - Cut/drilled holes in pillars and door facings for wiring conduits, cut hole in tunnel and riveted tapping plates for switch shield cup attachment.

A85 Shoulder Belts - Drill holes and rivet anchor plates for bolts in rear wheelhouses.

C60 A/C - Cut and drilled holes and studs for A/C adapter housing, evaporator and heater boxes, battery access panel opening in inner fender, battery cable clips, etc.

L84 Fuel Injection - Tapping plate for air cleaner attachment, unique fender emblem holes, unique radiator support.

N03 36-Gallon Tank - Dozens of holes for clips, retainers, reinforcements, and jack stowage, add lock pillar brace and underbody braces for fuel tank straps, hole in rear bulkhead for filler pipe, fill vertical depressions in rear bulkhead, bonded-on wheelhouse-to-underbody filler panels, cut holes for L/R tank outlets, add tank cover side bonding strips and riveted tapping plates, trim window frame for tank clearance, ad nauseam (from an assembly plant direct labor perspective vs. the option price, N03 was the bargain of the century).

I may have missed a few minor items, but that about covers it. No other options had any impact on Body Shop operations, and they didn't need to know about them.