63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

[John H.]

Re: The Corvair knockoff wheel (2 bar) was

Loren -

Here's a Cameo at the Akron Drag Strip (right behind the original Derby Downs) in October, 1957.

[Robert Jorjorian]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Michael that probably was original KH packaging because Buxbaum's source bought them direct from Kelsey Hayes and sold them to Buxbaum without ever taking delivery of them. As I remember it was sold by the pallet.

[William C.]

Right next to a '52 Olds Super 88! *NM*

[Joseph T.]

Re: The Corvair knockoff wheel (2 bar) was

Smokey unit set a speed record on the beach at Daytona in a Cameo Pick-up..in Feb.1957.

The next day the record was taken away..because of tire size...infraction...or so it was reported.

Joe

[John D.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Robert, Your old friend Bob Carroll claimed his 63 had two bar knockoffs. That's the same silver 63 w/knockoffs that I mentioneed on the DB about a year or so ago. Three of use where staring at the silve coupe that was on the top of a delivery truck while sitting in front of Grabiak Chevrolet in New Alexandria, PA in 1963. This was Clem's hangout as well as mind. THe owners son Sam Jr. said to me to hurry up and run to the front of the showroom area to look at a Corvette with knockoffs. I had seen them in the brochure but that was the first time I saw them in person. Unfortuntely I have no recollection as whether they were 2 bar or 3 bar. Back then more interested in the real bars that counting bars on a spinner. Always thought they looked like the Corvair ones though. One of the dealer brochures list a 2 bar and the other lists a 3 bar spinner. Hated the knockoffs in the olden days. One time hit a curb and had a flat. Couldn't get the wheel off. Even today I wouldn't want to be taking the chance driving down the pike at about a 100 and seeing the wheel passing me up. Like the old steel wheels much better. Jr.

[Robert Jorjorian]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Yeah Jr everybody has their opinion on 63 wheels but nobody has ever explained convincingly why from 62 through the 70s every Chevy parts and accessory book printed listed KO wheels beginning in 63,and where all the gear drive and early pin drive wheels came from.
I grew up in California but I never saw that many midyears around LA with KOs during the sixties. I remember most had mag wheels or steel wheels without covers.P48 was an expensive option for something that weighed in like steel wheels.
You or Clem should have taken a pic of that transporter even though the pic would be unconvincing to many.

[John D.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Sr. I don't believe that Clem Zahrobsky was there in 63 while the silver 63 was on the truck. Supposedly it was for a special high up customer in the Pittsburgh, PA. area. Clem if you know anything about the silver 63 with knockoffs that Sam Jr. was pointing out to Bob Cameron, me, Richard Grabiak, etc. jump on in. All I remember is that it was a new silver coupe with knockoffs and it was the first one I had ever seen. Robert in the olden days we didn't like the knockoffs because they were a pain in the butt. Preferred American Mags any day of the week. Cragars and chrome reversed. I would say that knockoff were at the bottom of the list of desirables back then. On top of the list was 3 tail lites, flares, no front bumpers and of course no emblems. Jr.

[David Dawdy]

Re: The Corvair knockoff wheel (2 bar) was

In the late 70's a friend of mine always talked about Father Mac, a priest in Calhoun County, Illinois getting a new 63 with knock offs. Mike was a grade school kid and watched a red 63 roadster being unloaded from the truck. We always told him that no knock offs were delivered on 63's. He stuck to his story. A few years later I came to know a fellow who was an SCCA member, had owned a 63 coupe and followed the racing trail in the Midwest. One day he brought a photo of the 63 blue coupe that he had owned and raced. Guess what was on the car? Right, 2 bar knock offs. I immediately ask Fred where he got the knock offs? His response was, 'from a priest up in Calhoun County, he sold them because he couldn't keep air in them'. Fred later sold them to D & A Corvette in Gillespie, IL. The story gets better. Many years later, the fellow who watched the car come off the truck stopped by the house with a knock off covered with wasp and mud dobber nests. He had just come from a church picnic in Batchtown (Calhoun County). The knock off wheel was hanging on the wall in the old one car garage at the priests house. He made a sizeable contribution and brought the wheel home and still has the wheel. Draw your own conclusions, Fred has passed, Mike is still windy as ever but I saw the wheel covered with dirt the night he brought it home and I saw the photo.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Mike,,, I recognize that 63. Did you know its in Miami, Coral Gables to be exact? Owner is a super guy but is scared to drive it in south Florida traffic. I dont think the car has been off his street since he bought it............Bill S

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Hi bill,

I heard recently that the car sold a while back but I don't know where it went. I tried to find the new owner but no one seems to have any info. Only thing I heard was that it went to Ocala? I have an original part that I'd like to give to the owner.

[Joseph T.]

Tomorrow..I will post a picture of 2 new 63's

with 2 bar spinners..

Joe Trybulec

[Clem Z.]

i never saw a midjear with KO back in those

days. i was not there that day because i had a real job back then.

[Mike McKown]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Michaiel. Is that the same car I asked you about that came from Southern Indiana? Dr. Joy?

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

Hi Mike,

Yes the very same car, #19,746. Delivered new at V.V. Cook in Louisville. As I'm sure you know, the car was delivered new with steel wheels and a black soft top. I added the KO's and a complete NOS white top assy.

In the pic, you can see the spot between the head lights that was not original paint. (slightly darker)

In about 1977, I contacted the office mgr at Cook Chev and was able to obtain the original invoice.

[Mike McKown]

Re: 63 Corvette 2 bar spinners.

10-4. Thanks.

I'm still kickin' myself! The one that got away.