YJ8 - How Does One Really Know
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks a bunch for the information. 
If you could please tell me the source of your wheels shown here I'd like to speak with them about their sourcing.
Maybe they can help me date the wheels from the serial numbers I have here, or at least give me some sense on where they came from in the first place. Not really an issue now, they are off my cars and won't be returning.
I wonder if Corvette America makes there own or sources from this company as well. Have to check those wheels I bought last year from them.
Fascinating.
David
If you could please tell me the source of your wheels shown here I'd like to speak with them about their sourcing.
Maybe they can help me date the wheels from the serial numbers I have here, or at least give me some sense on where they came from in the first place. Not really an issue now, they are off my cars and won't be returning.
I wonder if Corvette America makes there own or sources from this company as well. Have to check those wheels I bought last year from them.
Fascinating.
David
Last edited by AllC34Me; Apr 1, 2010 at 06:31 PM. Reason: Updated Corvette America Inquiry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
So you are saying that the wheels I have are counterfeit fakes. If that is true then can I ask where you got your counterfeit fakes because the source appears to be one in the same and I can do something about stopping them if they are fakes.
Now if they are aftermarket and a legitimate source for a wheel that is not patented any longer then your statement is wrong, and these are legitimate products.
My job is stopping counterfeits from producing medical devices and drugs that if incorrectly manufactured can harm people. I would think that wheels have to be tested and certified here in the US. I will assume nothing, but I will find out.
In the mean time I would appreciate you watch your tone with me, I was not trying to do anything but find out the truth. What I am surprised at is that you didn't share this little bit of information in an earlier posting...but no matter now, I'll take the appropriate action now.
Thanks a bunch for the information.
David
Now if they are aftermarket and a legitimate source for a wheel that is not patented any longer then your statement is wrong, and these are legitimate products.
My job is stopping counterfeits from producing medical devices and drugs that if incorrectly manufactured can harm people. I would think that wheels have to be tested and certified here in the US. I will assume nothing, but I will find out.
In the mean time I would appreciate you watch your tone with me, I was not trying to do anything but find out the truth. What I am surprised at is that you didn't share this little bit of information in an earlier posting...but no matter now, I'll take the appropriate action now.
Thanks a bunch for the information.
David
My point is....the wheels in question you have are reproducton's.....period!
Use mine as a guide. You can buy them all day long from any major corvette house in the USA. They are not "Counterfeit" wheel's, just reproductions. "Made in China"
My tone?????????
David............ Palllllease! Your are too nice of a guy to go that route!
Hope to see you at the Regional's.
Thank you for your response.
Stay in tune.....
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
Back side of a Western....
and a Kelsey....
From 76 on only Kelseys were installed BY THE FACTORY.
I believe the Rockwell/Westerns were the original somewhat failed attempt at aluminum wheels in 73. But dealers probably got them cheaper to add on as dealer installed options.
Anyway, checked some numbers on my Westerns, found the "FW" and "14018395", just like yours have!
I guess 'Mike Ward" wins the prize, first to call it!
and a Kelsey....
From 76 on only Kelseys were installed BY THE FACTORY.
I believe the Rockwell/Westerns were the original somewhat failed attempt at aluminum wheels in 73. But dealers probably got them cheaper to add on as dealer installed options.
Anyway, checked some numbers on my Westerns, found the "FW" and "14018395", just like yours have!
I guess 'Mike Ward" wins the prize, first to call it!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Back side of a Western....
and a Kelsey....
From 76 on only Kelseys were installed BY THE FACTORY.
I believe the Rockwell/Westerns were the original somewhat failed attempt at aluminum wheels in 73. But dealers probably got them cheaper to add on as dealer installed options.
Anyway, checked some numbers on my Westerns, found the "FW" and "14018395", just like yours have!
I guess 'Mike Ward" wins the prize, first to call it!
and a Kelsey....
From 76 on only Kelseys were installed BY THE FACTORY.
I believe the Rockwell/Westerns were the original somewhat failed attempt at aluminum wheels in 73. But dealers probably got them cheaper to add on as dealer installed options.
Anyway, checked some numbers on my Westerns, found the "FW" and "14018395", just like yours have!
I guess 'Mike Ward" wins the prize, first to call it!
Mike Ward wins the prize for first identifying what he thought to be true. You win the prize for confirming it. Thank you very much.
Best regards,
David
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
Back side of a Western....
and a Kelsey....
From 76 on only Kelseys were installed BY THE FACTORY.
I believe the Rockwell/Westerns were the original somewhat failed attempt at aluminum wheels in 73. But dealers probably got them cheaper to add on as dealer installed options.
Anyway, checked some numbers on my Westerns, found the "FW" and "14018395", just like yours have!
I guess 'Mike Ward" wins the prize, first to call it!
and a Kelsey....
From 76 on only Kelseys were installed BY THE FACTORY.
I believe the Rockwell/Westerns were the original somewhat failed attempt at aluminum wheels in 73. But dealers probably got them cheaper to add on as dealer installed options.
Anyway, checked some numbers on my Westerns, found the "FW" and "14018395", just like yours have!
I guess 'Mike Ward" wins the prize, first to call it!
I could be wrong.....but doubt it!
Stay in tune....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
David,
My point is....the wheels in question you have are reproducton's.....period!
Use mine as a guide. You can buy them all day long from any major corvette house in the USA. They are not "Counterfeit" wheel's, just reproductions. "Made in China"
My tone?????????
David............ Palllllease! Your are too nice of a guy to go that route!
Hope to see you at the Regional's.
Thank you for your response.
Stay in tune.....
My point is....the wheels in question you have are reproducton's.....period!
Use mine as a guide. You can buy them all day long from any major corvette house in the USA. They are not "Counterfeit" wheel's, just reproductions. "Made in China"
My tone?????????
David............ Palllllease! Your are too nice of a guy to go that route!
Hope to see you at the Regional's.
Thank you for your response.
Stay in tune.....
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
Your OKAY!, in my book!
Take that 77 out for some judging!!!!!!!!!
All the best, no reply required.
Stay in tune....
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
That's correct, the 1973 wheels were made by American Racing. A set of them turned up recently at auction and was purchased by Lyle C. That makes 3 (?) full sets that have been found so far. None were factory installed on cars, sold as over the counter stuff only.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Jupiter, Florida
Out of curiosity, where was the auction and what did he pay for the 1973 wheels. The part number 329381 is cast in the reverse side of the American Racing Wheels, see my id. I have a set of the American Racing Wheels. I also have a set from a 1980 Corvette that was wrecked. I believe the 1980 wheels are K H Wheels (they are clear coated). The AR wheels and KH wheels use different lug nuts and they are not interchangeable.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Jupiter, Florida
Does Greg-73 (a former GM employee) live in the Baltimore area and have posts on the NCRS site years ago about the 73 wheels. I spoke to him on the phone about the wheels a couple years ago. If not sorry.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
David, stopped by to see John this AM, before I went out to the Vette. Thought I would take a few pics for you, although not the best, but they show a KH wheel. These are currently the wheels on the 74, although they came stock with the rallies, the original owner had the dealer swap out the set that was on the showroom floor when they were available in '76. I don't recall how much he paid, but he wanted them as soon as he saw them. I have decided to go with the rally wheel and the P02's when mine is completed and keep the KH's as spares. Later..........................Tom
enjoy the pics.....
#1 shows that they were made in Mexico
#2 the part number
#3 & 4 the Kelsey Hayes markings
enjoy the pics.....
#1 shows that they were made in Mexico
#2 the part number
#3 & 4 the Kelsey Hayes markings
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Very cool Tom, good find, keep them, they will only go up in value. Have your body lifting straps here, forgot them last time, will get them down to John this week if I can.
Nice week to work on Corvettes for sure.
Cheers.
David
Nice week to work on Corvettes for sure.
Cheers.
David
1st Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Lakeside Montana
Hey Tom,
Good pictures of the Kelsey Hayes wheels but I couldn't make out the part number. I have a set I bought from a guy thattold me he took them off of his 74. Obviously there were no stock YJ8 wheelsin 74 so I assume they were addded later. My confusion comes from the part number on my wheels 14008687, I don't see that number referenced anywhere in this thread. They are clearly marked Kelsey Hayes, Made in Mexico and 15JJ X 8.00 but the part number seems odd to me. Can you better pin point what year these may have orignated on?
Thanks
Bob
Good pictures of the Kelsey Hayes wheels but I couldn't make out the part number. I have a set I bought from a guy thattold me he took them off of his 74. Obviously there were no stock YJ8 wheelsin 74 so I assume they were addded later. My confusion comes from the part number on my wheels 14008687, I don't see that number referenced anywhere in this thread. They are clearly marked Kelsey Hayes, Made in Mexico and 15JJ X 8.00 but the part number seems odd to me. Can you better pin point what year these may have orignated on?
Thanks
Bob
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,691
Likes: 833
From: WI
Ok, Thanks to you guys, I now know I have two Kelsey Hays like Tom's ...and one Western (like the OP), and one I don't know what it is ...I think original. Thanks Craig's List! I looked at them when I bought them but not very close on the back side. Now I know a lot more.
Mark G
Mark G
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
My four aluminum wheels from my 1977 Coupe have interesting but not terribly revealing information in them. Each has a casting number "14018395" on the back. Each also has "FW" cast into the back and a number "1" cast back there as well. What I found today when I started to clean them up is a large stamped number "34" and a small but long stamped number "092698201".
Okay you wheel experts, can you point me in the direction of where I can learn more about these wheels. The internet has proven to be less than helpful here so I am turning to the experts, or at least you guys to start.
Hoping someone out there has some good information or sources for some.
Thanks for your help.
David
Okay you wheel experts, can you point me in the direction of where I can learn more about these wheels. The internet has proven to be less than helpful here so I am turning to the experts, or at least you guys to start.
Hoping someone out there has some good information or sources for some.
Thanks for your help.
David
When I raced it at Mid ohio I would take off the rings and caps paint them flat black and the car was white, it looked the Bomb.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1
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Western wheel division, Rockwell int. made in USA
I was given a set just recently and the inside of the wheemoml has all of those markings including 15x8 and the part number 14018395 FW.I don't even need them. Anybody need some?
Last edited by rik69; Apr 25, 2014 at 05:00 PM. Reason: add another sentence.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran