1966 Steel Wheel

[Tim G.]

I have a wheel that appears to be a correct 1966 15 by 5.5 inch JK wheel, the date on the wheel is 12-6 and there are two bumps by the valve stem. The only thing is that the wheel is riveted instead of welded, my feeling is that this is a later over the counter version of the 1966 wheel.
Can anyone confirm?

Thanks

[Dan A.]

Re: 1966 Steel Wheel

I'm curious does this riveted wheel have GM stamped on the face of the center on one of the rises between the lug nut stud holes?

Is the Kelsey Hayes stamp and the Tire and Rim Association stamp present near the size and date you found on the inside of the rim?

Dan

[Peter L.]

Re: 1966 Steel Wheel

Tim - "Original" production '66 wheels I have seen are welded. When you say the date is "on" the wheel, do you mean on the center hub face or on the inside of the rim covered by the tire? If it's stamped on the face, it is a later SERVICE wheel. Also, typically on the original wheels I have seen the month stamp is 1-12 and the year stamp is two digits, i.e. the last 2 digits of the production year (65 or 66) and these appear to be two separate stamping because IF they stamped the production code they are rarely in a line. So, sometimes there is no stamp, or only the month designation, or only the year designation. Apparently, they weren't concerned what folks would think about the production dates 40 years later (I just can't understand that!!!!!!! What were they thinking?????????) or it just wasn't that important (back in the 60s), plus when it's inside the rim you can't see it when the tire is on the wheel. Just another one of those PITA steps that takes time when making a wheel. Have a good one. Pete

[Tim G.]

Re: 1966 Steel Wheel

Dan, the answer to both your questins is "yes". Peter, thanks for your reply, strange wheel. You're correct, what good is a date inside the wheel.