Bucky Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 Forgive me if this isn't the right place for this topic. If not, could a moderator please move it? Thanks Can any of you savvy model builders and kit-bashers tell me what this wheel is? I found these in a kit tonight, and looked them up on the WWW. The real ones look pretty good, to me! Sorry for the picture quality. i take pics about the same level as I build models!
Mark Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 Kelsey-Hayes aftermarket wheel from the late Sixties. I've seen them referred to as "20 spoke" wheels, though they were sold under another name that I can't remember. The unplated ones are from one issueof the AMT '69 Cougar kit (recent issues don't have them). Plated versions are available in the AMT '66 Mercury, and '53 Corvette (the Corvette wheels do not have open slots between the spokes).
Can-Con Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 4 hours ago, Mark said: Kelsey-Hayes aftermarket wheel from the late Sixties. I've seen them referred to as "20 spoke" wheels, though they were sold under another name that I can't remember. The unplated ones are from one issueof the AMT '69 Cougar kit (recent issues don't have them). Plated versions are available in the AMT '66 Mercury, and '53 Corvette (the Corvette wheels do not have open slots between the spokes). "Strippers". They were also in the AMT '72 Monte Carlo annual and the "Xstacy" Chevy van.
Bucky Posted June 23, 2019 Author Posted June 23, 2019 Give these guys a round of applause! This set was in the '69 Cougar kit. Kelsey first made these wheels in 1969, and another name for them is "The Bad One".
Mark Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 Man, those are nice looking wheels...now have to conjure up a project that includes a set!
Can-Con Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 15 minutes ago, Mark said: Man, those are nice looking wheels...now have to conjure up a project that includes a set! I had one started years ago. Got this far,, I guess I got in too much of a hurry and the paint all cracked on me right down to the primer, ruining it. I stripped it and re-primed it but never progressed any farther. I should start repainting it.
Bucky Posted June 23, 2019 Author Posted June 23, 2019 Those wheels look nice on that T-bird. By all means, toss some paint on that 'Bird!
Modelbuilder Mark Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 The chrome versions look really good but if you only put a black wash in them, they look more like customer Spoke wheels rather than allow wheels. To get the effect of the pics I attached you would have to paint them fully, then carefully remove the black from the tops of the spokes, quite the undertaking. Regardless of which you choose, I think they are great looking wheels.
Bucky Posted June 23, 2019 Author Posted June 23, 2019 They were available in two different finishes: Cast aluminum center on a steel rim. Apparently, available on Yenko cars.
Modelbuilder Mark Posted June 23, 2019 Posted June 23, 2019 Very cool add, thanks for sharing. If someone was looking for a set of these wheels, they are currently found in a wheel lot on Ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-5-SETS-Vintage-NOS-Model-car-tires-Chrome-rims-1-25/293125883236?hash=item443faa0564:g:P88AAOSw-IldCozo
Joe Handley Posted June 24, 2019 Posted June 24, 2019 That's what those are supposed to be?! I used to have an X-tacy Van kit and have a couple of the '53 Vette kits and thought those were just some poorly designed wire wheel replicas! May have to try and de-chrome them and see how they look under that chrome. is there a good way to get the backs see through like the Cougar versions in the first pic?
Bucky Posted June 24, 2019 Author Posted June 24, 2019 2 minutes ago, Joe Handley said: That's what those are supposed to be?! I used to have an X-tacy Van kit and have a couple of the '53 Vette kits and thought those were just some poorly designed wire wheel replicas! May have to try and de-chrome them and see how they look under that chrome. is there a good way to get the backs see through like the Cougar versions in the first pic? It might work with some careful grinding on the back side.
Joe Handley Posted June 24, 2019 Posted June 24, 2019 5 minutes ago, Bucky said: It might work with some careful grinding on the back side. That's what I had been thinking, maybe I'll take a closer look at the early 80's issue I have that's easiest to get to tonight. Those might look decent on some of the Muscle Car Era stuff I have laying around!
slusher Posted June 24, 2019 Posted June 24, 2019 Love the information and knowledge on this forum....
Bucky Posted June 24, 2019 Author Posted June 24, 2019 14 hours ago, Modelbuilder Mark said: Every time I look at these wheels, I like 'em more than the last time I looked!
Joe Handley Posted June 24, 2019 Posted June 24, 2019 19 minutes ago, Bucky said: Every time I look at these wheels, I like 'em more than the last time I looked! Same here, still don't think that look right on a '53 Vette or '71-'95 G-Van, but a C2 or C3 Vette or late 60's to early 70's Muscle Car, maybe even one of the revival Stutz Blackhawks from the Late 60's and into the 70's, without a doubt. I do prefer textured and machined aluminum (kinda the 2 tone aluminum) vs the machined and matte black finish though, then again, I find my self getting pretty annoyed with that look on modern rims now too Here's an ad that shows those off nicely! So, any chance there might be a run on the '53 Vette kits now that more of us know what those "custom" wheels are supposed to look like and started to take a liking to them
Joe Handley Posted June 24, 2019 Posted June 24, 2019 Lots Almost forgot something too, got some pics of those Vette kit wheels! Lots of sanding to do if you don't have a mini disk or belt sander, but probably worth every bit when stripped, opened up, and painted!
Bucky Posted June 24, 2019 Author Posted June 24, 2019 (edited) Here they are in resin, folks: https://www.ebay.com/itm/264038237039 Edited June 24, 2019 by Bucky
dimaxion Posted June 24, 2019 Posted June 24, 2019 Wow , I rid myself of those also . I build Factory Stock and constantly Trade off non-stock parts . Still , nice wheels . Yes , I would trade them off knowing what they are .. Thanx
Bucky Posted June 24, 2019 Author Posted June 24, 2019 I certainly respect your position on these wheels. If ya come across any, let me know. I never knew about these wheels back in the day. When Kelsey produced them, I was 14 years old, and thought Magnum 500 wheels were the best (still do, for the most part). In my opinion, these Stripper wheels should have been offered as factory optional. They look as good as a lot of the factory stuff out today.
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