'63 Knockoffs---Real vs. Repro

[Andy #31563]

I am trying to determine some more history on my car, particulary the knockoffs. We've all read that there is no documentation of any '63 rolling off the line with factory knockoffs and that they were added at the dealers. I just assumed that my wheels were repro knockoffs.

Without pulling the tires off and looking for a stamp on the I.D., is there a quick way to tell the difference between factory and repro? I understand that most repro's have slots in the I.D. for pins to secure the threads.

Thanks in advance for the info.

[Tom B.]

Re: '63 Knockoffs---Real vs. Repro

Andy,

Well, since no one has stepped to the plate, so to speak (and I can see why) I'll give your question a try.

Original 1963 "factory" (or more than likely "over the counter") Kelsey-Hayes knock-offs are the rarest of the rare original knock-offs and it may be easier to find what the markings are for the reproductions. Off hand, I believe one identifying mark of the reproduction would be the word "TAIWAN" or "CHINA" (I don't remember which) on the backside of one of the bars on each of the four spinners. But again, that's on the spinner and I don't remember what, if anything, is on the backside of the reproduction knock-off wheel itself. Someone else needs to give advise there.

There is a good description of the 1963 P48 Cast Aluminum Quick Take-Off Wheels in Nolan Adams book (1963-67), page 158. Even Nolan was thinking ahead since he stated that he'd give a brief description just in case a 63 with P48 does appear. I'll give an even briefer description from his information. If you have the book you may want to check it as well. I know some, if not all, of the later year's knock-off spinners and wheels had part numbers embossed on their backsides, and the adaptors had a truely "de-bossed" (reversed embossed) part number on it's inner "cone". Since I've never examined an original 1963 set myself, and IF the 1963 original wheel component markings are similar as the way later year's are marked, then you may want to try to identify some or any of those from the following part numbers (all for 1963):

First production adaptor: 3825689 (left), 3825690 (rt)

Second production adaptor: 3847763 (left), 3847764 (rt)

First production wheel nut (spinner, 2-bar): 3819543 (left), 3819544 (rt)

Second production wheel nut (spinner, 3-bar): 3831625 (left), 3831626 (rt)

Third production wheel nut (spinner, 3-bar): 3837855 (left), 3837856 (rt)

First Production wheel (assembly?): 3825698.

Second Production wheel (assembly?): 3747761

Nolan also lists a second production wheel number as 3837852 and mentions that the 1963 Chevrolet Parts Book list the wheel as replacement part number 3825688 and as "tube type". Additionally, any date that may have been stamped on the original 1963 or 1964 Kelsey-Hayes knock-off wheel would have been inked stamped. If original it would be doubtful that you will find an ink date stamp marked on one any longer.

By the way, yours don't happen to "leak", do they Andy? Hope this has helped. TBarr #24014