ID a midyear rim

[Bob R.]

I have a rim on my 63 that I know is not correct but I don't know what it might be for. Can anyone ID this. Near the valve stem K 188 5 ?
Thanks

[Wayne M.]

Re: ID a midyear rim

I have a rim on my 63 that I know is not correct but I don't know what it might be for. Can anyone ID this. Near the valve stem K 188 5 ?
Thanks

Bob -- decoding using A. Colvin's book; K = Kelsey Hayes; 1 = Romulus MI plant; 8 = 1968; 8 = August (valve stem hole should be located after the 2nd '8'); then 5 = 5th of August. Normally you will see a 2-letter code following the '5' (like AG) that will specify the useage, as well as other physical dimensions (offset, width, etc).

[Bob R.]

Re: ID a midyear rim

Wayne thanks for the information.
The original rim is stamped K36 FL. Could you decifer that for me also?

[Wayne M.]

Re: ID a midyear rim

Wayne thanks for the information.
The original rim is stamped K36 FL. Could you decifer that for me also?

I'll give it a try. Looks like there might be more stamped numbers than you indicate (maybe too faint). K3 = Kelsey Hayes, Philadelphia PA plant; 6 (if next to the 3) would normally be the year (1976). Now, "FW's" started only in 1971 [ it's a 7" wide rim] and continued through at least 1975 (my Colvin book info. ends there). So if all those stamped characters are to the left of the valve stem hole (except the FW which is on the right), then we still need a month stamping (left of hole) and day of the month number (to the right).

BTW I had 4 "FW" rims on my '65 (were put on by previous owners about mid-70s) and they worked well, except for perhaps interference [depending on the rubber] with the parking brake cable on the rear trailing arms -- they solved that by cutting off the cables and bracket .

[Bob R.]

Re: ID a midyear rim

Thanks for looking into that for me. The rim I believe to be original 63 has the notches near the valve stem so I believe it to be original. I will try to take a photo of the rim this evening and see if that helps identify it.

[Bob R.]

Re: ID a midyear rim

Wayne,
Here is one more try to figure out the old rim. I have attached a couple f photos of the rim I used chalk to hlp read the print. See if you can figure it out for me. Thanks,

[Timothy B.]

Re: ID a midyear rim

Bob,

That's no 63-4-5-or 6 Corvette rim. What I suspect is it's a 6" Kelsey Hayes replacement rim. These sell for a good price on ebay, I am not sure of the offset but I think mid year owners like them because of the added width and you can still use a hubcap.