Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

[Guest]

This week I was informed by Motorspot who supplies the Kelsey-Hayes look wire wheels for our Retrobirds that the wheel is now discontinued. A sad day in my opinion, I know I am biased because I have these wheels on my Tbird.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

This week I was informed by Motorspot who supplies the Kelsey-Hayes look wire wheels for our Retrobirds that the wheel is now discontinued. A sad day in my opinion, I know I am biased because I have these wheels on my Tbird.

Mark,
Too bad as these are such great looking wheels on the retro-bird. Have you thought about picking up a spare one just in-case? Your wheels and the retro V8 emblem really set your car apart in a good way.

[Guest]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

Mark,
Too bad as these are such great looking wheels on the retro-bird. Have you thought about picking up a spare one just in-case? Your wheels and the retro V8 emblem really set your car apart in a good way.

Definitely Claude... the "spare" process is underway....

[jaguar72]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

Mark,

This is probably information you already have, but "just in case" you might want to check at Dayton Wire Wheels if you ever need a replacement. They make the best wire wheels in the world (right here, by golly, in Dayton, Ohio) and have Thunderbird applications plus hundreds (perhaps thousands) of others, both bolt-ons and real knock-offs (center locks). I don't know if they make a Kelsey-Hayes pattern or not, but they probably do.

Nothing looks better than genuine wires.

http://www.daytonwirewheels.com/wirewheels.html

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[Guest]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

thanks for the information, Gary. Though I am not certain, I don't think the Kelsey-Hayes design is available anywhere else for our Retrobirds. I will ask Motorspot.

[tbird6t4]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

Coker still shows KH style wheels for sale on their website. I believe they purchased a wire wheel company a few years back. They are a 52 spoke wheel with the traditional centre hub and 3 bar spinner with the Thunderbird color centres.

http://store.cokertire.com/wire-whee...?adjclear=true

Gord

[Guest]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

Coker still shows KH style wheels for sale on their website. I believe they purchased a wire wheel company a few years back. They are a 52 spoke wheel with the traditional centre hub and 3 bar spinner with the Thunderbird color centres.

http://store.cokertire.com/wire-whee...?adjclear=true

Gord

Gord, you are helping my aging memory.. when I bought my KH wheels way back in 2008, they were made by Zenith... then I believe Coker bought them. But is Coker only advertising the KH design for the 50's TBird wheel size, because I think the 17" size for our Retrobirds is history. I"ll find out because inquiring minds want to know......

[jaguar72]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

Mark,

If you don't mind my asking, how many spokes do your KH wheels have?

72 maybe?

And here is a blurb from a (Hemmings, I think) write-up on DWW:

Dayton even manufactures brandnew examples of many wire-spoke wheels made popular by other manufacturers, like the ’50s Buick wires originally produced by Kelsey Hayes, or the wires developed for ’60s British sports cars by Dunlop.

Well, yeah, Buick, but maybe they make KH pattern wheels for our Retro TBirds as well.

I might give them a call on Monday because I'm kinda curious myself now. Please note I have no connection whatsoever with Dayton Wire Wheels other then the wires I purchased from them twelve years ago (they were well worth the price, by the way).

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[cool57]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

http://www.roadsterwirewheel.com/t-bird_wheel.html
These guys are probably the manufacturers.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

Gord, you are helping my aging memory.. when I bought my KH wheels way back in 2008, they were made by Zenith... then I believe Coker bought them. But is Coker only advertising the KH design for the 50's TBird wheel size, because I think the 17" size for our Retrobirds is history. I"ll find out because inquiring minds want to know......

If I wasn't so lazy this is the only style I would have, I love the massive look.
But, I'd never keep them clean. I had wires 40 years ago and hated them
because 2 days after cleaning them the would look filthy.
Now 40 years later I'm a lot lazier.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

http://www.roadsterwirewheel.com/t-bird_wheel.html
These guys are probably the manufacturers.

Another reason I don't have wires.
Sure seems like a lack of belief in their product!


[QUOTE.roadsterwirewheel=]What Is The Standard Warranty On American Classic Wheels?

Warranty extends to original purchaser and is not transferable.We want you to be pleased with your purchase! Our classic wheels are guaranteed to be free from defects in workmanship and materials for three years. We are not responsible for tire and tube failure due to improper mounting, mechanical failure, improper alignment of the vehicle or improper lug attachment. Chrome or coatings are covered for 90 days from purchase Wheels are covered for 30 days out of roundness. All tires and tubes should be installed by properly trained individuals. All balancing should be done of the lug pattern, not the center hole as it may be off d Warranty extends to original purchaser and is not transferable[/QUOTE]

[tbird6t4]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

Gord, you are helping my aging memory.. when I bought my KH wheels way back in 2008, they were made by Zenith... then I believe Coker bought them. But is Coker only advertising the KH design for the 50's TBird wheel size, because I think the 17" size for our Retrobirds is history. I"ll find out because inquiring minds want to know......

Mark, to us!

Not to tax you aging memory, but if you hit the drop down (extra exercise for someone of your advanced years) where it says wheel sizes you will see that there are 17's listed there (02 to 05). I am sure these wheels are probably not the same as what you bought but for the rest of us who aspire to have them they do appear to be available.

I hope you enjoy your (our) B-day today. I am off to Bayfield it's 5:30 a.m. got tons of door prizes to cart up there so that is why I am taking the 64 this year.

Hope to see you guys soon!

Gord

[tbird6t4]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

http://www.roadsterwirewheel.com/t-bird_wheel.html
These guys are probably the manufacturers.

Yes, I do beleve you are right. I was at the Coker (original) plant last year and they did mention that they bought Roadster Wheels and had put quality controls to improve the brand......for what ever that is worth.

[jaguar72]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

If the Coker wheels really are discontinued, here is what DWW offers:

The first one looks very Kelsey Hayes-ish, has 72 spokes and is available in 17". Don't know about widths or bolt pattern, off-sets, etc. The hub cap is obviously generic but the spinner style might fit...I believe the hub is six and one quarter inches (but maybe not...).

http://www.daytonwirewheels.com/whee...bead_lace.html

The second one is made especially for Retro Birds but is not a Kelsey Hayes copy. Pretty, though, and uses the OEM TBird hub cap.

http://www.daytonwirewheels.com/whee...ross_lace.html

Anyhow, both of these might be alternatives if others are unavailable and that's the look you want.

Again, please note I have no connection with Dayton Wire Wheels other than as a satisfied customer.

V/R,

Gary jenkins/jaguar72

[Guest]

Re: Kelsey-Hayes Wire Wheels - Discontinued

Lots of good information in this thread - mine are indeed the 72 spoke from Roadster.. I sure like the Dayton wheel design too.

Gord, hope you have a good B-day at Bayfield !!!