Hi all, can anyone tell me what years the Kelsey Hayes wheels were for and is it true that not all these wheels are orig ....... and if not, how does one tell them apart? Thanks, Bruce in Mt. Airy

As far as I know, K-H was the only supplier for the aluminuminum rims for the Shark cars. They were originally slated to be on the '73 models, but there was a problem with the porosity(leaking) of the rims, so GM canceled them. There were 4 sets delivered in '73, tho, before all the paperwork went thru to the factory. Of couse, many were sold over the counter, too.
GM did finally install them on the Sharks starting in '76. All of the original K-H rims are marked as such, and also dated. Most of the repros are not. There are some differences between the year models of the rims, also, such as the finish, and color of the centers.


and...after all of that...K-H also supplied the steel, rally rims, also dated, and stamped as K-H...Adams' Apple2007-05-10 19:35:15

The Kelsey Hayes aluminum wheels are what you would want to get. Like Joel said, choice of finishes. Western made a nearly identical wheel but there are subtle differences, mainly from the back side. Don't know what the repros are that the vendors sell(NOT Kelsey Hayes). I used to think they were Westerns but I inquired on one on ebay and the seller said it was made in China. Westerns are made in USA, Kelseys in Mexico. I got 2 Westerns hanging on my barn wall. Got em cheap and refinished them. Won't use them unless I come across 2 more cheap.

Thanks for the info, the set I have came off a 68 --- but who knows when they got put on, they are not marked Kelsey Hayes but have RED POINT  // 701 0001 // 140 18395 // WOLFF // G86 700 // MADE IN BRAZIL as part of the casting on the back side  ---- any thoughts ?