1965 Wheels and Wheelcovers

[Michael S.]

I know the original wheels are Kelsey-Hayes, welded steel, 5 1/2 inches in width, painted gloss black. But are there any other mfg. markings, date codes, etc., that I need to be looking for to ensure I have original wheels on my 1965 corvette?

Also, I need to purchase the wheelcovers, spinners, valve stems, caps, and tires. I was planning on buying the tires from Cokers, but I need a recommendation on whether to purchase blackwalls, whitewalls, or goldstripe and what tire mfg, to use as I can not verify what tires were originally supplied on my car. I also need a recommendatin on where to buy the wheelcovers and spinners.

I plan to have the car NCRS judged in late August and want to ensure the tires and wheels are as correct as possible.

[William C.]

Re: 1965 Wheels and Wheelcovers

Buy the Goodyears if you want the most correct tire for judging. One easy thing to look for on real '65 wheels is the absence of any "nubs" to retain small dog-dish type passenger car hubcaps. The Corvette wheel is about the only one I have seen at 15 X 5 1/2 size without the nubs.

[John S.]

Re: 1965 Wheels and Wheelcovers

Bill,

Any input on the correctness of the current reproduction hubcaps made by Corvette Specialties of Maryland?

[Dennis C.]

Michael... Date of mfg should be found...

...near the KH logo with tire off. Believe it will be numeric month and 2 digit
year. Typically, the date stamps are done individually and do not line up as they would in a gang stamp. Dates should be about a month or 2 before car build. At least that's my guess today...

[Michael S.]

Re: Michael... Date of mfg should be found...

Thanks Dennis, you are right. With the tire off, I did find the KH logo, with 15 X 5 1/2 JK stamped, and with the date code of 3 65. This is correct for my car's build date.

Mike

[Louis T.]

[Noel K.]

Re: 1965 Wheels and Wheelcovers

I actually don't recall what booth I was in last year at Carlisle when I bought the repro hubcaps , but - i just had the car judged and the wheelcovers and spinners took a full deduct hit because the judge said they were chromed, not stainless.

Best to check it out thoroughly - perhaps finding average driver hubcaps will at least get you originality points if not the condition points.

[Ken Robb]

Re: 1965 Wheels and Wheelcovers

One option is to buy a set of used original hubcasp and then you polish them or have one of the firms that polishes SS do it. There are firms that will take out the dents and polish them up. I did this with a used set to use for driver car. They looked almost too good to use with driver. It takes a bit of work but well worth it if judges are going to take full deduct for the reproductions. SS polishes pretty easy if you get the right setup and are willing to spend some time on it. As for the spinners, look around for used original set; can't loose all the points then either. JMHO