63 wheels

[Rainer S.]

After a recent post from last friday, about what radial tires to use, I decided to look at my wheels real close, to look for the stampings inside the rim. (The wheels are still off the car-all restored...)
To my surprise, the (4) rims, which were on my car when I originally bought it are stamped 15 1/2 and the one which was my spare was stamped 15". all (5) wheels were also stamped 63 5. The (4) 15 1/2" have the dimples next to the valve stem, the 15" did not. Obviously, I have the wrong wheels for my car...
What car did they belong to ? They are Kelsey Hayes, all had GM stamped on the outside next to the lugs.
I really was not planning on looking for replacements, since I thought, my (4) wheels were the correct size for the car.
Are those wheels hard to find ?

Rainer

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 wheels

Correction:
My (4) wheels are stamped 15 X 5 1/2", not 15 1/2.
The spare is stamped 15 X 5".
Sorry for the confusion...
I could post pic's tomorrow, if nescessary.

Rainer

[Sydney G.]

Re: 63 wheels

Hi Rainer,

Sounds to me without seeing a picture that only your spare wheel is incorrect.
Post some pix of the other wheels.
Syd

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 wheels

Rainer-----

Well, I'm glad you cleared that up. If you found some 15-1/2" wheels, they would be "rare birds", indeed. Finding tires for those wheels would be a REAL challenge.

Anyway, the original 1963 Corvette steel wheels were 15 X 5-1/2. So, your road wheels may be original. I don't know where the 5" spare wheel came from. It's not original to the car, though. There were a lot of similar wheels of 5" width used during the period, though, for other applications.

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 wheels

Thanks for giving me a little hope, that I may have the correct rims after all. I will post pictures tomorrow..
Of all the things involving automobiles, tire size and wheel size has always been confusing for me. But I am slowly understanding their relationship and the meaning of all the terms and description.
By the time I finish this restoration (end of summer)I may understand that too...

Rainer

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 wheels

Rainer,

A stamping of 15 X 5 1/2 and 2 bumps by the valve core are attributes of 63 wheels, but also of 65/66 wheels and the service replacement "8080" wheels sold over the counter in the 60's and 70's. Check your wheels to see if they are like the one in the pic below. The slope on the back side is the most notable feature to differentiate from the other 5 1/2 inch wheels previously mentioned.

Your 15 X 5 wheel is likely from a 56 - 62 Corvette. Most passenger cars were only 14" not 15".

tc

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 wheels

1957 was the first year chevy pass cars were outfitted with 14" wheels. the 49 thru 56 chevy pass cars used the 15" wheels with the correct for corvette bolt pattern so theoretically, the 49 thru 56 pass car wheels will suffice, functionally but not judging-wise, on a c-1 non-rpo wheel vette. mike

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 wheels

Hey ya big turkey, you are technically correct but Rainer didn't mention any rivets so I assumed his spare was welded. And if it is welded, it ain't no stinkin 49 cheby wheel.

How's your big red Willy?

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 wheels

Here are the pic's of my wheel.

Rainer

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 wheels

here is #2

Rainer

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 wheels

her is #3.
Rainer

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 wheels

Here is the 15 X 5 wheel.

Rainer

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 wheels

# 2 of 15 X 5 wheel.

rainer

[Rainer S.]

Re: 63 wheels

I hope, the pic will clarify, what I have. Sorry, I could not put all pic's on same post, but I only now the hosting/posting procedure which Travis Williams so beautifully explained in September .
Tracy, I think my wheels look just like yours. They have the same features...

Rainer

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 wheels

Stamping says 15 X 5 1/2 ?