63 KO confusion & mere curiosity

[Geoff C.]

Argument: no 63 was delivered with KO wheels cause they were porous or fell off. Queer item: pictures of 1963's, #1, #2, #3 Zo-6 racing with KO, no cones and definate 2 bar spinners at March 1963 Sebring. How does that fit in the picture if they lost air, fell off, were the racers stupid or "dint" they a club TIMJG.

Don't really care one way or the udder; I'm using my KH 2 baaahhh's some day.

Geoffrey Coenen

PS See Guldstrand Corvette Thunder book page 133+134 (a must for any serious library).

[Kevin M.]

Re: 63 KO confusion & mere curiosity

Innertubes.

Kevin

[Terry R.]

Re: 63 KO confusion & mere curiosity

I got my Corvette Thunder at Park City autographed by Dick Guldtrand.Excellent book.And yes page 133+134 is proof.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 KO confusion & mere curiosity

Based on prior discussions here, the real reason they were not released for production in 1963 was a patent infringement lawsuit and when finally released in 1964 the design was different - "pin drive" versus the original "gear drive" adapters. The 1963 Corvette Shop Manual material on KO wheels is all about the early "gear drive" type.

Some pilot line cars had them and a number of sets also got into the public domain and are still floating around, today. These were all basically prototype parts that were manufactured before the lawsuit was filed, which put everything on hold.

IIRC the patent holder of the "gear drive" adapter was Dayton wheel, and they filed the suit against GM and Kelsey-Hayes.

Duke

[Loren L.]

And thus was born the two-bar knockoff

Wire wheel as a Corvair option, smoothing the ruffled feathers over at Dayton, and creating a supply source for those who continue to sell sets of pin drive wheels with two-bars....Rare! Rare! I'm going to let you STEAL them from me for only..........

[Mike McKown]

Re: And thus was born the two-bar knockoff

I believe the Corvair Dayton KO option was released in '61 with the two bar spinner. There were two diferent styles of center caps for the two bar. Plus I believe there is a two bar spinner with no center cap but rather the center is cast as part of the spinner.

[Clem Z.]

racing tires leak more air than the wheels would

because of the thin sidewalls. you have to air racing tires up every day

[Charles P.]

Kelsey Hayes directly ordered for a '63

I know of a person (now deceased) that orderd the knock offs for a special order FI car. Chevrolet held up production of that car until he called in January to have the order changed to steel wheels after which time the car came almost immediately. This person ordered and then received the KO wheels directly from KH.

[Loren L.]

Re: And thus was born the two-bar knockoff

The 1965 Corvair parts book lists the two 2 bars as left and right for 1962-4 Corvairs. Yes, the spinners did change center markings later. The only solid two bar spinner that I am acquainted with came with Zenith wires.

[Mike McKown]

Talk to Cranky

He can fill you in on the solid two bar.

[Mike McKown]

My error

The solid spinner was a three bar, Corvette only.