"Late" 64 Corvette steel wheels

[David L.]

Most think that 1963 and 1964 Corvettes were issued the same steel wheels on the assembly line. The 3834127 steel wheel was stamped "GM" on one of the 5 "bumps" on the front face of the wheel and "15 X 15 1/2", the Kelsey-Hayes logo, and a date code on the rim part which would be covered with the tire. These wheels have a hub hole that measures about 2 25/32" in dia.

Does anyone with a "late" 1964 Corvette (March 1964 to the end of production) have original steel wheels that are slightly different, specifically GM # 3839814?

The 3839814 wheel replaced the 3834127 wheel in Oct. 1963 according to Chevrolet Parts History. However it seems that the 3834127 wheel continued to be installed on the assembly line until at least Feb. 1964 or even later. The 3839814 wheel is similar to the 3834127 wheel except the hub hole measures about 2 29/32" in dia. (1/8" larger) and one of the 5 "bumps" on the front face has a small hole drilled (or punched) in it.

I have had many original 63-64 wheels in the past 30 years, mostly the 3834127 wheel but also a couple of 3839814 wheels dated as follows:
"6" 64" (or possibly "9 96")
"3 65" (NOS wheel with GM # 3839814 sticker)

Was the 3839814 wheel used in the 1964 late production or was it an "over the counter" replacement wheel? According to the 1964 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (effective Oct. 1963) the wheel available over the GM counter for 1963 & 1964 Corvettes was GM part number 3839814.

The 3839814 wheel was replaced with the 3838080 wheel in May 1966 which has a totally different rim cross section. I believe that the 3838080 wheel was original equipment on 1966 Chevrolet police cars.

[Doug L.]

Re: "Late" 64 Corvette steel wheels

Hi David,
I am getting ready to put tires on my car as I continue its restoration, so I am doing a little research. The car is a 1964 built 13 December 1963. I was able to track down the original owner who told me he put mag wheels on the car and that those wheels were on it when he sold it in the late 1970s. It therefore seems logical that the steel wheels that were on the car when I bought it this year are not the original wheels. I decided to take a close look at the wheels, a) to try to determine if they are correct for the car, and b) because the spare is missing and I will have to locate a replacement wheel.

I looked at all 4 wheels this morining. There are small raised bumps, maybe 1" square around the center hole. I would guess that small hubcaps clip on them. On one of those bumps the following is stamped: "K15 4". The same code is also stamped next to the valve stem holes and is consistent on all 4 wheels. My first thought was that the code was "K"=October "15" = 15th day, and "4" = 1964. That doesn't follow what you describe in your post.

If those are the date code for the wheels, they are not correct for my car. They would be approximately 1 year too new, but would be wheels of the vintage you asked about.

Does the part number appear on the wheel?
Best regards-Doug Loeffler

[Pancho T.]

Re: "Late" 64 Corvette steel wheels

I believe that the "K 15 4" code is 1974 or 1984 even.There were no date stampings near the valve stem till after '67

[Philip C.]

Re: "Late" 64 Corvette steel wheels

Hi Dave the wheels off my April 64 have the GM on the face, two nubs by valve stem hole, I looked at one wheel, could not read the inside code too well, I can see a K and I think? 6 4 and a 5, a 5 doesnt make sence, its a april car?, I'll look at others if you want, but it will take a few days Phil 8063

[David L.]

Re: "Late" 64 Corvette steel wheels

To read the date code on original 1963-64 and 1965-66 Corvette wheels (15" by 5 1/2") the tire must be removed. There will also be a Kelsey-Hayes logo stamped near the date code (month and year). The month and year were stamped at different times and are usually do not line up in a neat and orderly fashion.

The date codes and wheel codes stamped near the valve hole appear on 1967 and newer wheels.
One of my original 1970 Camaro SS350 wheels (15" by 7") is stamped as follows:
"K-1-0" and "4" on the left side of the valve hole and "15" and "CL" on the right side.
"K" = Kelsey-Hayes, "1" = Romulus, MI, and "0" = 1970.
"4" = April
"15" = 15th of the month
"CL" = wheel code, 15X7 JJ with 0.34" offset