65 Knock Off's for Judging
In the NCRS Driveline there is a company called America's Finest Corvette's....They have a Bolt-on Aluminum Wheel for the 65 Corvette....it is an All New Reproduction Bolt-on Aluminum Wheel with the correct outer lip width, depth and shape....it is on page 53 of this month's driveline.....even the back side of the wheel is correct.......will this wheel get the maximum points for judging?
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
Dean -- after reading their ad, I think they are saying that their '67 bolt-on will (also) fit '65 and '66; not that they also produce a separate version for the earlier years (at least that's my take). BTW, those ribs on the backside are found on '67 bolt-ons, not '65-6.
Also, I believe the fins on '67s are thinner than '65-6. this is before even getting to the issue of the spinner assy.
If you're concerned with points, I'd get a '65 judge to see them "in the flesh". -
Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
I would do some research as Corvette America also has a new wheel which is much closer than older repros. Best to buy at a big show, that way you can see them. Also you save the shipping and many times they have specials. My guess is that a knowledgeable judge can still spot an original. Good luck, Don H.Comment
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
In the 5th edition on the 1965 Judging Guide on page 80 there is a judging guidance:
Deduct 75% for reproduction wheels with correct finish, color or configuration.
Deuct 90% for reproduction wheels with incorrect finish (black) color or configuration.
Since they were delivered in sets of 5, the spare is much easier to see and if it's a repro, I'm sure the exterior judges will take a good look at the other 4.
The KO wheels are 30 points on originality and the spinners/cones are another 10 points.
You could possibility lose 30 to 36 points for the repo wheels after spending quite a few bucks.
Regards,
Page CampbellComment
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
Page has quoted the standard deductions for wheels-be forewarned. Based on having restored several OEM K-O wheels over the years, I find the following short comings (beside the fact it is not a true K-O) with the AFC wheel-when compared to the 64-66 OEM unit:
1) The vanes are patterned from the 67 B-O wheel, (which are thinner width than the OEM 64-66 true K-O), and a more uniform thickness-the OEM K-O were wider/thicker at the base than the top.
2) The lip configuration is not correct.
3) No mold "witness" marks on the back, or are of different config.
4) Color is more black or darker than original.
5) The polished areas are too bright/shinny, not consistent with OEM.
6) The spinners will not have the proper P/N and other markings.
These are the more obvious points of difference, as most reproductions all have the same or similar issues. Their B-O versions obviously does not have the vane thickness or spinner issues, but the other points are still valid, when compared to a "real" B-O.
Please don't get me wrong, these AFC wheels are excellent wheels and for a "driver" and the cost/price; they are the way to go-Michael and crew @ AFC have done an excellent job. But, as good as they are; they are not close enough to the original to be considered for judging purposes.
Mike Zamora
#12455Comment
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
Mike certainly knows about these things, after consulting with him, I just went to steel wheels and hubcaps for my '66. Hardly any deducts and they were cheaper and less hassle.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
Hi Mike......are you looking at the ad or are you looking at their web site for the
64-66 version that AFC offers.....because the ad in Driveline depicts the 67 K-O.
Am I better off for points using my pitted "original" hub caps than going for the AFC 64-66 K-O's? Thanks!Comment
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
Am I better off using a set of pitted original hub caps for judging in maximizing points vs a new set of hub caps with the Chinese stamp? Originality point deduction vs condition deduction?Comment
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
Dean-
My comparison/opinion is a little more intimate than just the pics in the ad. I actually went to Romona, CA to visit Michael-neat operation, AFC. He showed me the pattern wheel, which was an NOS continuation wheel. The continuation wheels were made in or about 68, when GM deemed it necessary to replenish the K-O inventory to meet demand (I believe that to be the reason). At any rate, K-H had already modified at least some of the molds for the thinner 67 vanes, therefore, these continuation wheels have the 67 vanes, but are true K-O's. I believe some molds had already been sold to Western Wheels-probably the first and best (in my opinion) reproduction K-O, as they were cast from original molds.
Again, I say the AFC reproduction wheels are a fine piece, just not for high level judging. To answer your question of if you are better off with "aged" hubcaps vs. the reproduction K-O: On the hubcaps, if they are correct for your year model, you most likely will receive full originality points, but perhaps suffer condition points. On reproduction K-O, the point lose is a standard deduction, which Page has elated to and almost certainly will be much more deduction than the condition points on the caps.
Given these limited choices of how you might go: use the hubcaps for judging and use the repop K-Os for driving/enjoying-they certainly look great. Or, really clean up/improve the rest of the car to overcome the point lose of the repop wheels to maintain the same judging level.
Mike Zamora
#12455Comment
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
Mike-- Are the AFC reproduction 67 bolt-ons an exact reproduction of the 67 OE wheels?Comment
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Chris Enstrom
North Central Chapter Judging Chairman
1967 Rally Red convertible, 327/350, 4 speed, Duntov @ Hampton in 2013, Founders @ KC in 2014, family owned since 1973
2011 Z06, red/redComment
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Re: 65 Knock Off's for Judging
They are much closer. I believe the lip configuration is not exact, due to DOT requirements, the bright areas are a little too bright, and the last set I saw, the color is still blacker/darker than OEM. As you get into the bracket and star bursts there are other differences, but all in all-the bolt ons are much closer to original than the K-O's that I have seen.
MikeComment
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