63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

[Tom H.]

Just had a guy stop by with a full set of these !! Never even seen a set. Said he had owned them for over 30 years ! Of course, he didn't want to sell them. Anyone else ever seen a real set ?? As much as I'd love to have them on mine, they still wouldn't actually be correct no matter how neat they are.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Tom,

Wonder if it's a set that came from Richard Buxbaum? In about 1975, Richard somehow came up with several cases of NOS 2 bar spinners. I know he sold most within a year and they went all over the country. I think I had one or two sets.

The spinners came less center caps but a little assistance from someone in Detroit took care of the problem.

I don't remember the selling price at that time but it was probably around $400. a set.

[Tom H.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

He couldn't remember where he got them. I had never seen a set other than early photos. Interesting that there were a bunch of them floating around. How many were in a case ?? It would be interesting to know how many of these are out there.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

If I remember correctly, each box was a single layer that held about 12 spinners. (two rows of 6?) Could have been more. There were thin cardboard dividers between all the spinners. I have a pic of one of the boxes, somewhere, and I'll post it if I can find it. Did find a pic of my car at the "Bloomington Corvette Corral" in 1976 with a set of these spinners. (thanks Richard)

[Tom H.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Here's a picture of what he had.

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

I saw a black on black 63 split window in the Boston area that had the 2 bar spinners. It was an early car and the owner said the car would have had them on it when purchased. But I know he did not get the car with them on it. I don't where he bought them.

[William C.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Corvair (Mfd by Dayton) Wire wheel option in '64 used the same spinners, and are the likely source for ALL of the spinners in the above thread.

[Joseph T.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Bill..I passed up many of these Corvair spinners over the years..practically for free.

You can find them in almost any old hubcap store!

Joe

[William C.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

You must have better hubcap stores in your area than I have, I'm not talking about the spinner hubcaps, there was a wire wheel option available for the early Corvair that was a true knockoff with two bar spinner. I went to college with a fellow who bought a '64 Corvair from the company Fleet sale and it had the wheel package on it. Expensive, very few were sold, but my bet is more of them than "true" '63 Corvette knockoff two-bars.

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

the MAC chapter of NCRS had a chapter meet at Jerry Pings resto shop in waldorf Md in the early 80's. jerry had cardboard boxes of the un-plated spinners that i believe he said he had cast at a local foundry. i don't believe any 2 bar spinners left st louis on 63 vettes. mike

[Joseph T.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Bill..I was referring to the wire wheel spinners. As nice as they were ..having no interest in Corvairs..I just passed them by.

Oh well.

I guess it is like anything else..one can go his entire life without seeing something..and yet someone else does.

Maybe because I was in St.Louis.

Joe

[William C.]

I'm with you Mikie! *NM*

[Bill W.]

Re: I'm with you Mikie!

Just had a set restored by "The Finishing Touch" for a customer. Three of them had "OFF->" engraved on them, the fourth did not. Do your two bars have engraving? Thanks, Bill

[Loren L.]

The Corvair knockoff wheel (2 bar) was

apparently part of Dayton's "pound of flesh" when he caught GM and Kelsey-Hayes using his patented "gear drive" method on the early KO version for Corvette. Unaware if the case ever went to court but Dayton did make wires for Corvair.
Somewhat similar to the birth of the "Cameo" pickup when GM realized that the contract required payment to Molded Fiberglass even if they only made 700 cars that was outasight - created a whole new genre, the GOOD lookin pickup truck - look at where they are today.

[Tom H.]

Re: The Corvair knockoff wheel (2 bar) was

The one I saw today had the word "OFF" on it. It was barely visible though. Almost looked like it was worn smooth and the whole spinner was replated. It had the word right on the back and the number 5.