Gettysburg

I am tempted from time to time to be on the look out for Knock Offs for my ‘64. Still uncertain about possible problems. Need some basic “schoolin’.....”.
1. Is there an offset difference between bolt on knock offs and the true knock offs? (That is, do either present a possible clearance problem with the wheel opening lip?)

2. Is there another difference between the 63-64 and the 65-66 knock offs besides the coloring between the fins?

3. Is there a tire size limit to consider to avoid clearance problems with the wheel opening upper lip?

Thanks for any saged advice. Not really concerned about the “year correctness” for the rims, just don’t want any headaches.

gbvette62

1) No.

2) No. There are differences in the markings on the backside of "real" knock-offs, such as the way they were were dated, but there is no difference in the shape and fit of different year knock-offs.

3) I'd say P215/70R15 is safe. Really you should be able to use any tire on a knock-off, that fit with just about any other stock (4") offset wheel.

dahogan

I am currently running with 215/70 Michelins on Corvette America bolt ons from Virginia Vettes with no problems.

JLSmith

I am running Firestone 710s in size 215/70R on knock-off KOs without any problem on my '66.
- Jeff

Lotsacubes

I may be selling my KOs. I don't carry my Mother Thumper lead hammer in the car with me right now which means if we get a flat the standard, small hammer won't get the spinner off. So, a flat tire for me would involve calling a roll back (or at least going to get the Thumper if close to home). Also, I have to remove the wheels for new tires or routine balancing, re-install the wheels, and make sure the spinner is properly seated after driving on it some. Tire shop won't and shouldn't mess with them. Do not have any issues with the real KOs, but we use the car a lot. I'm about 50/50 whether they give me enough pleasure to out weight the simplicity/convenience of bolt-ons. Another "my bad" is I've not dropped the spare cover to see if my spare is also a KO.... on the winter to-do list. Point is if you drive a good bit quite far from home, you really need 5 KO wheels. There's my sage advice for what it's worth.

colo63sw

The part about needing 5 KOs is not true.
If you remove a wheel, you can remove the spinner hub and install a bolt-on wheel. The important thing is to have your spare tire OD match the KO tires OD.

Have fun out there.

427/42566 coup

I finally removed knock off's after 10 years of driving and no flat tires. Felt I was pushing it,so purchased bolt on rims from C.A. I had been purchasing correct hubcaps over a number of year's, so put together correct spinners and emblems on hubcaps. I don't miss knock off's, and I like the look of the hubcaps.

Lotsacubes

That makes sense. Fortunately I've not had to figure all this out alongside the road somewhere..... yet.

NightshiftHD

2. yes. in addition to the coloring on 65-66 wheels you mention, 66 wheels have brushed stainless cones, while the others are polished (like chrome). Bill

Redbird

Knockoffs look good on 64's.

68hemi

That is about the limit. Even going to a P215/78 can create a problem with the wheels turned hard going in and out of a curbed driveway. You can go bigger the lower your profile but those tires don't fill the wheel well up to look right IMO.

rayvaflav

No way having only four, you gotta' have a knock off for a spare, that's the whole point ! You get out there, you get yourself a flat, you jack that thing up, whack that spinner off, new wheel on and knock that spinner back on, all with one big-*** tool and then you get the hell outta' there, lickety-split ! Who wants to mess with a lugwrench and five tiny nuts ? Certainly not the folks running LeMans in the mid-'60's.

Or you can call a wrecker.

Ray

toddalin

Best advise is to get a set of Western Turbine wheels in 7" width with 215-225/60-70/15 tires and an imitation knock-off for the look.

Lighter, better handing, safer, better brake cooling, and way cool looking at a fraction of the cost. The fit on the '64 with 225/60/15s is perfect!