1963 Rims

[Ray C.]

Hi!

I purchased a set of five 1963 rims while at Carlisle Corvette show in late August 2004. The dealer/vendor did not have the rims with him and said he would ship them from his home. I just received the last two rims today and they are date coded 64 and 65. The previous 3 rims were date coded 63. All five are Kelsey/Hayes. The rims received today have a small hole (approx 3/16") drilled in the rim. (See pictures) Are there any other differences between 63, 64 and 65 rims, other than the holes the rims seem to be the same and are for drum brakes? What is the purpose of the small hole and should it be fill welded and finished smooth.

Thanks for any help!

Ray

[Ray C.]

Re: 1963 Rims *NM*

[Ray C.]

Re: 1963 Rims *NM*

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Rims

63 and 64 wheels have a unique rear configuration. They don't have the safety "roll off" bead like the 65 disk brake wheel.

A real 63 wheel won't have the hole as shown in your pic. A real 64 would have the hole. That being said, I'd like to see a pic of the rears of the wheels. Once you see one, you can spot them 100 feet away at flea markets. Chuck

[Ray C.]

Re: 1963 Rims

Thanks! Chuck

Here are a couple of pictures. I posted a couple of pictures, one of the rear and one of a side view of the wheels. The one to the left is dated 63. I am just starting to do my homework on the 63 and have found it to have a lot of differences from the other mid years. I believe that 65s could also be ordered with drum brakes. Could the wheels be from an early 65 car?

Thanks Ray

[Ray C.]

Re: 1963 Rims

Second picture:

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Rims

Ray----

Yes, 1965's could have been ordered with disc brake delete and those few cars so-ordered had the 63-64 drum style brakes.

The 1963 wheel was GM #3834127. It may also have been used for early 1964 Corvettes. Otherwise, I believe that 1964 Corvettes received wheel GM #3839814. The 3839814 wheel also replaced the 3834127 for SERVICE in October, 1963 when that wheel was discontinued.

The GM #3839814 was discontinued from SERVICE in May, 1966 and replaced by wheel GM #3839080. As far as I know, all of these wheels were riveted and were 5-1/2" in width. I don't know how they differed. Apparently, the small hole you pictured was one of the differences between the 3834127 and the 3839814. It may be that hole was used for identification purposes.

The 1965 wheel for PRODUCTION was GM #3864313 and, as far as I know, was used for all 1965 applications (except aluminum wheel, of course). As far as I can tell, this wheel was never available in SERVICE. In SERVICE the wheel initially available was the GM #3839814. However, this was very soon changed to GM #3869156.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Rims

Yep, that's the back of a 63-4 wheel, unlike the 65 disk brake wheel which has the extra step, or "safety bead".

I "think" that the only difference between 63 and 64 is the hole, for drainage I would guess. Once a hubcap is on, you wouldn't see the difference.

What are the dates on your wheels? I've seen them dated inside the rim. Chuck

[Ray C.]

Re: 1963 Rims

Thanks Joe & Chuck

Chuck,

Three of the wheels have the number 63 and the number 3. One of the wheels has the number 64 with a 9 or 6 and the fifth wheel has the number 65 with the number 3. The single digit number is stamped erratic and looked to be stamped by it self. Some of the single digit numbers are at a right angle to the double-digit numbers. All wheels have the Kelsey/Hayes, 15 5/12 K and a symbol stamp.

Ray

[Kyle Zevena]

Re: 1963 Rims

So where exactly is this "extra step"? can someone post a marked up picture? I have never seen a 63/54 and 65 side by side but would like to understand the difference.

Thanks.

[Paul Reynolds]

Re: 1963 Rims

As Joe stated above, some early '64's may have used the '63, no-hole wheel. I just sold my original spare wheel with a Sept 63 date code from my Nov 63 built '64 . No hole. Probably just using up stock in early 64 models.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Rims

Here's a pic of the back of a 65 disk brake wheel. Don't know how to put arrows and circles on the pic. Chuck

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1963 Rims

The 63, 64, etc. is the year. The other number is the month. So, 63 3 is March of 63, and so on. Chuck