Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

[John N.]

I'm back up in Ct and was out in the shed and found 2 5 1/2 K rims. The date looks like 6/63. These are welded and were on the rear of my 62 when I bought it 20 years ago. It cost me a hubcap to find out it needed nubs to keep the hubcap on. They have the Kelsey-Hayes stamp. What are these for?

John

[William C.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

A picture of the front of the rim might help. There were many 5 1/2 inch rims, 65-66 Corvette being one variant, and others in service. A search of the archives will bring up a fairly involved discussion on the '65-66 rims from a few weeks back.

[John N.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

I tried to attach a couple of photos.

John

[Mike E.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

Is the valve stem hole a reasonably small hole (as opposed to your 62 which should have a larger valve stem hole)? Does it have two small raised bumps next to the valve stem hole? If yes to both question, and if the stamping says 15x5 1/2 JK (as I recall--I'm working from memory here at work) it would likely be a pair of 63 Corvette whels.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

I tried to attach a couple of photos.

John

Pics didn't upload to your post. I sent you an email, if you send me the pics, I can help you post them here.

tc

[John N.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

I looked at the rims again. The valve stem hole is 1/2 inch and there are two dimples. It is a 5 1/2 K that is welded with no dog bones. There is a 63 and a 6 by the 5 1/2 k. Ican get you a picture if tou e-mail me at jlnomeyko@aol.com.

John

[William C.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

OK, given any luck pictures are attached. All I can add is they are not 65-66 wheels due to the dog dish hubcap features. Time for others to chime in!

[Mike E.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

Almost sure they are 63-64 wheels. They have all the elements:
welded
1) small valve stem hole
2) correct date
3) double nubs next to valve stem hole
4) taper on the back side for pre-disc brake cars (don't have to clear the rotor)
5) post-62 circumferential recess for seating the tire bead
As Bill said, they are not 65-66 because of the presence of the protrusions around the center for mounting disc brakes, plus 2 and 4 above

[Tracy C.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

Almost sure they are 63-64 wheels. They have all the elements:
welded
1) small valve stem hole
2) correct date
3) double nubs next to valve stem hole
4) taper on the back side for pre-disc brake cars (don't have to clear the rotor)
5) post-62 circumferential recess for seating the tire bead
As Bill said, they are not 65-66 because of the presence of the protrusions around the center for mounting disc brakes, plus 2 and 4 above

Agree........

[John N.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

Thanks for the help. Now what do I do with them? Anyone want to trade for a rim for my March 62 car? I'm sure they would look a lot better on a car than in my shed.

John

[Tracy C.]

Re: Kelsey 5 1/2 inch rims

Thanks for the help. Now what do I do with them? Anyone want to trade for a rim for my March 62 car? I'm sure they would look a lot better on a car than in my shed.

John

email sent.....