Is this a 65/66 original wheel

[Joe L.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

All-----


The answer to this 1965 wheel conundrum can be found in the 1965 AIM. The wheel at least initially used for 1965 Corvettes was GM #3864313. This wheel was never available in SERVICE but is almost certainly the riveted wheel. Most likely in later 1965 PRODUCTION wheel GM #3869156 came into use although it's not shown in the version of the AIM we have today. The 3864313 wheel is also shown for 1966 Corvettes but I highly doubt it was the wheel actually used. The only wheel EVER cataloged in SERVICE by GM for 1965-66 Corvettes was wheel GM #3869156. I believe this was the wheel actually used in PRODUCTION beginning sometime in the 1965 model year.

[Dan A.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

All-----


The answer to this 1965 wheel conundrum can be found in the 1965 AIM. The wheel at least initially used for 1965 Corvettes was GM #3864313. This wheel was never available in SERVICE but is almost certainly the riveted wheel. Most likely in later 1965 PRODUCTION wheel GM #3869156 came into use although it's not shown in the version of the AIM we have today. The 3864313 wheel is also shown for 1966 Corvettes but I highly doubt it was the wheel actually used. The only wheel EVER cataloged in SERVICE by GM for 1965-66 Corvettes was wheel GM #3869156. I believe this was the wheel actually used in PRODUCTION beginning sometime in the 1965 model year.

A plausible theory.........but. From practical hands on experience the earliest '65-6 configuration wheel date I have ever seen is 8 64. Which is August of 1964. Every one of the 8 64 wheels I have in my possession and have seen was the typical welded wheel. Based on that experience I question the theory. I have seen more 8 64 dated wheels than any other 1965 wheel date. I have arrived at the impression that they may have made an inordinately large number of wheels in that first batch of 1965-6 configuration wheels.

As Corvette wheels had low production numbers they were made in batches. Thus there are only a hand full of dates to be found in any given model year. I would have to look back in my library of 1965 wheel dates to determine the gap between what I think was the first batch of '65-6 config. wheels in 8 64 to the next known date. I am not confident to rely on memory to say that was 12 64. It may have been. I just don't trust my memory anymore. I have had the impression that the time between first batch and the second was was longer than I have observed in subsequent batches. This would tend to support my impression that the first batch was larger than previous experience as well as the batches that followed 8 64.

I still feel the riveted wheel is an unknown quantity. Like David Liukkonen I am at a point that I am open to the idea that it may have been a production wheel. But I don't know that or can prove that. The reason it exists remains a mystery for me.

[Joe L.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

A plausible theory.........but. From practical hands on experience the earliest '65-6 configuration wheel date I have ever seen is 8 64. Which is August of 1964. Every one of the 8 64 wheels I have in my possession and have seen was the typical welded wheel. Based on that experience I question the theory. I have seen more 8 64 dated wheels than any other 1965 wheel date. I have arrived at the impression that they may have made an inordinately large number of wheels in that first batch of 1965-6 configuration wheels.

As Corvette wheels had low production numbers they were made in batches. Thus there are only a hand full of dates to be found in any given model year. I would have to look back in my library of 1965 wheel dates to determine the gap between what I think was the first batch of '65-6 config. wheels in 8 64 to the next known date. I am not confident to rely on memory to say that was 12 64. It may have been. I just don't trust my memory anymore. I have had the impression that the time between first batch and the second was was longer than I have observed in subsequent batches. This would tend to support my impression that the first batch was larger than previous experience as well as the batches that followed 8 64.

I still feel the riveted wheel is an unknown quantity. Like David Liukkonen I am at a point that I am open to the idea that it may have been a production wheel. But I don't know that or can prove that. The reason it exists remains a mystery for me.

Dan------


Well, we now know that there were 2 different part numbers for the 1965 steel wheels and, from what's been reported, there were 2 different configurations (welded and riveted). Regardless of when the wheels were manufactured, it would seem that there's a strong possibility of some relationship between the 2 part numbers and 2 configurations.

[Elliott P.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

Well..., the riveted wheel left my possesion early this year. If there is interest in the wheel, I know where the trail head is, and I can see if it can be tracked down. Elliott

[Larry M.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

Just imagining......what if this wheel was used in late 65 with the intro of the 396....ground pounder potentially requiring a HD wheel.

[Dan A.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

Larry are you assuming a riveted '65-6 steel wheel can withstand greater forces than a welded '65-6 steel wheel? If so can you enlighten me as to the differences?

[Joe L.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

Just imagining......what if this wheel was used in late 65 with the intro of the 396....ground pounder potentially requiring a HD wheel.

Larry-----

Absolutely no indication anywhere that different wheels were used for L-78 versus other engine options.

[Anthony D.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

I have the same wheel on a 64. Is that correct for the 64 also?

[Dan A.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

Anthony, are you stating that your '64 wheel is identical to the wheel pictured in the 1st post by Larry Meyer? If so your wheel is not original to your '64. Please post clear photos of your wheel in question.

[Larry M.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

No, 63/64 wheels are unique. Search the archives and you'll find pics.

[Daniel S.]

Re: Is this a 65/66 original wheel

The wheel in the original post has rivets. OEM/assembly line wheels are welded only. That is best indication of a service wheel.