Knock off wheels
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: High Mountains of New Mexico
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Yes, many interesting tall tales about the "gear drive" KOs.......
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I was trying to reply to and agree with @65GGvert about bolt on knockoffs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Cold Harbor, VA
There already is a different name for them, Direct Bolt-on Knock Off Wheels is what the manufacturers and vendors call them.
Not a difficult concept to understand for most mid-year Corvette enthusiasts I think.
Not a difficult concept to understand for most mid-year Corvette enthusiasts I think.
Enjoy while you can.
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From: 10th District Court OHIO
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IMHO Corvette America makes the best direct bolt on knock offs for the mid years. I bought a set from Virginia Vettes about 10 years ago for about $2k. When I bought my '66 it had KH knock offs but if they are not installed correctly they can cause problems. At my age bolt ons were a safer choice thus the switch. The KH were boxed and stored. I did get one unsolicited offer of $5k for them which may have been reasonable, but I don't need the money. Just offering more info for the OP.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Glen Allen VA
I guess “not installed correctly” could apply to almost everything in life.
I’m happy we have choices so we can chose our likes.
From what I read, as I have no failure experience, if you use all the original parts including the long lug nuts there is no issue. If you don’t tighten your lugnuts, steeliness fall off too
I’m happy we have choices so we can chose our likes.
From what I read, as I have no failure experience, if you use all the original parts including the long lug nuts there is no issue. If you don’t tighten your lugnuts, steeliness fall off too
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kannapolis NC
Even a "real" knockoff adaptor bolts on. The distinctive difference with the direct bolt is that the WHEEL bolts to the hub, then the adaptor bolts to the wheel with separate bolts, and then the spinner rotates on to the adaptor and can be removed without loosening or removing the wheel. I find that to come in handy at times, and provides a sense of security (needed or not, doesn't matter). With the knockoff, the only thing holding the WHEEL to the hub is the spinner. I've had several "real knockoffs" and I like them and have never had an issue, but the direct bolt I have now has no negatives that deserve derision from the "realists". The price is the same and the look is the same for direct bolt and aftermarket knockoff wheels. There are more positives than negatives to direct bolt, so make your choice knowing this.
Safety Car
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From: High Mountains of New Mexico
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I think people need to remember the primary purpose of GM having Kelsey-Hayes design the original wheels, and they were called "Quick Take-off Wheels", not knock offs. They were designed for quick change on racing cars. The fact people liked the looks and GM saw a sales opportunity was not the original intent. Improving the design to make them safer and easier to use on street cars was something that finally came in 1967, but it was contemplated in the original ideas too.
Race Director
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From: Cottonwood AZ
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Harvard MA
Set up for sale now on BaT and bidding is up to $11,000 with three days yet to go.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ign=2022-01-22
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ign=2022-01-22
Race Director
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From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
IMO that is just STUPID money for a set of wheels that unless you have them off the car you can’t tell the difference from a $2k set of repos.
There are a lot better places to spend the $12k difference.
There are a lot better places to spend the $12k difference.
Race Director
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From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
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OMG!
I have a set of original KO, date coded for my ‘66 in perfect condition that I will sell for the discounted price of $13k. Better hurry, sounds like they will be gone tomorrow!
I have a set of original KO, date coded for my ‘66 in perfect condition that I will sell for the discounted price of $13k. Better hurry, sounds like they will be gone tomorrow!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
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Here is what i know about the wheels. In 1963 the factory came out with the wheels that had splined hub attachment. Due to a patent infringement complaint from a European company they were withdrawn and never made it onto any production car. I believe six sets with the splined hubs were manufactured and used for GM racing and all were destroyed. So there are and never were any 63 knock offs on any car ever. They came out with the drive pin design that made it onto 64 thru 66. From a mechanical engineering standpoint this design is inferior to the splined hub. The regulators found them to be unsafe under certain circumstances and they were removed from production and replaced with the 67 bolt on version. I personally think they are safe enough if installed and maintained correctly. I have a factory set on my 66. So far so good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 764
Likes: 13
From: Harvard MA
Here is what i know about the wheels. In 1963 the factory came out with the wheels that had splined hub attachment. Due to a patent infringement complaint from a European company they were withdrawn and never made it onto any production car. I believe six sets with the splined hubs were manufactured and used for GM racing and all were destroyed. So there are and never were any 63 knock offs on any car ever. They came out with the drive pin design that made it onto 64 thru 66. From a mechanical engineering standpoint this design is inferior to the splined hub. The regulators found them to be unsafe under certain circumstances and they were removed from production and replaced with the 67 bolt on version. I personally think they are safe enough if installed and maintained correctly. I have a factory set on my 66. So far so good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,416
Likes: 1,219
From: Glen Allen VA
Here is what i know about the wheels. In 1963 the factory came out with the wheels that had splined hub attachment. Due to a patent infringement complaint from a European company they were withdrawn and never made it onto any production car. I believe six sets with the splined hubs were manufactured and used for GM racing and all were destroyed. So there are and never were any 63 knock offs on any car ever. They came out with the drive pin design that made it onto 64 thru 66. From a mechanical engineering standpoint this design is inferior to the splined hub. The regulators found them to be unsafe under certain circumstances and they were removed from production and replaced with the 67 bolt on version. I personally think they are safe enough if installed and maintained correctly. I have a factory set on my 66. So far so good.