Correct steel wheels for 65-66 GT350's ???

  • Hey Folks,

    I have a deeper than my knowledge GT350 question for the 65-66 GT350 experts out there. I need to know what are the correct steel wheels that came on the 65-66 GT350's if they didn't have the Cragars, Torque Thrusts, or Magnums. I'm assembling the final parts I need for my next project, a '65 Carry-over car, and I plan to use the plain steel wheels as shown on the car in this link:


    http://mikesclassiccars.net/1966-gt350-238.php


    I've located a set of Kelsey-Hayes 15x5-1/2 steel wheels that came stock on 65-67 Galaxie's and T-Birds with disc brakes. The wheels are all dated either 65 or 66.


    I believe they're correct but not positive. Can anyone confirm for me that these are what I need??


    Thanks,

    Mark

  • Mark,


    Your question is a very good one. You may try to post over on http://www.saacforum.com if you haven't yet. I may be wrong, but 15 x 6 steel wheels may have been used by the time your car was produced. Sorry that I cannot be of more help.


    I do have a fairly close up picture of an original (probably) wheel on a late '65. You also may want to look at the pictures here http://www.colinsclassicauto.com/detail.php?car=161


    What number is your car? I have #33.


    -Brant

    Virginia Classic Mustang, Inc

  • I believe that most people in the Shelby community

    agree that very few cars actually came with

    15x5 1/2" wheels. Most cars came with 15x6"

    and I know cars around #150 had them for sure.

    Seems to be a very specific type of wheel and

    very rare. Your carry over 66 would look beautiful.

    There is a picture of an early 66 with steel,

    at least 35 years old on the Shelby Forum.

    /Bo

  • Mark the car in the pictures you posted appear to be the solid centers rather than the ones with the reliefs (for lack of a better term) cut into the centers as we typically see used for 65 Shelbys


    The solid centers can be found on T-Birds up to at least 67 (at least where I've found them)


    Not sure if the solid centers can be modified to look like the others Would think so but don't know of anyone - no one has talked yet - that has done it yet

  • Thanks guys for the great responses.


    I knew they were KH wheels but wasn'nt sure about solid center vs. cutouts and 15x5-1/2 vs. 15x6.

    The wheels I was after were 15x5-1/2 with solid centers and are no longer available, so I'll keep hunting. They were only $250 plus shipping which is a good price but expensive if they're not the right ones.


    Good things come to those who wait so I'll be patient.......


    Thanks again,

    Mark

  • Dave, The Mustang lists a 15 X 5 1/2" and it is a C1AZ 1007 A. That wheel was used from 61-64 on some full size Fords and 65 full size Ford taxicabs. The 15 X 6" is a C5AZ 1007 B. This was listed for a 65 full size Ford with a 427. That number was replaced by a C8AZ 1007 F which would be an incorrect style.


    -Fred-

    65 Koupe early San Jose Phoenician Yellow 4 speed
    66 GT Koupe Dearborn Blue 4 speed
    66 KGT San Jose fastback pony interior Silver Frost 4 speed
    64 Falcon sedan delivery 289 4 speed
    65 Ranchero 289 4 speed
    66 Corvette roadster 427/425 4 speed

  • The KH 15x6 1965 Shelby wheels have proven to be the most elusive of all restoration pieces to find. The 15x5.5 Galaxy wheels, although rare and with a similar hub, are available periodically.


    The problem is, that to this day, an original 1965 Shelby with 5.5" wheels has never been authenticated in the flesh whereas the 6" wheels exist on survivors, original paperwork,one owner cars etc.


    The are numerable second hand stories, dismounted wheels etc regarding 5.5" wheels, usually by someone hoping to install them on a car and searching for authentication.


    http://saacforum.com/index.php?topic=3004.0


    http://www.shelbyforums.com/forums/1965-19…eel-wheels.html


    Edited by - camp upshur on 03/24/2009 15:36:21

  • I wonder why one of the "restoration" wheel companies or parts suppiers hasn't re-pop'd them. They might be expensive but they make steel wheels all the time for hot rods and other cars - I don't see why they wouldn't do this one too.


    Seems like there is enough demand from Shelby and K owners to justify a small run - especially at the prices the Shelby guys pay for parts.

  • <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

    I wonder why one of the "restoration" wheel companies or parts suppiers hasn't re-pop'd them. They might be expensive but they make steel wheels all the time for hot rods and other cars - I don't see why they wouldn't do this one too.


    Seems like there is enough demand from Shelby and K owners to justify a small run - especially at the prices the Shelby guys pay for parts.

    <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>


    hey now, some Shelby guys, like me for example, don't have deep pockets. Though I did have an addiction to buying NOS parts a few years ago, I now consider myself a recovering addict.


    Z. Ray

  • <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Though I did have an addiction to buying NOS parts a few years ago, I now consider myself a recovering addict.

    <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>


    I'm looking for the twelve step program for this one myself:)

  • Trust me I work for a living too........my wife thinks I'm CRAZY.........Is there a Mustangs NOS Anonymous? I think for me 12 Steps ain't gonna cut it!


    I've got more money in the unique "missing" K parts I've found for my car than I originally purcahsed it for - in 1979.


    Wish I had starting looking for the missing part sooner!

  • Just to add to Camp's post, Howard P of SAAC has a 5.5 steel that came directly off a car, and I have pix of my car, SFM 5 017 @ the Chicago Auto Show (Feb 1965) showing it with those wheels with blue dots. (see "The Marque" Vol 2, # 1 page 31)

    I have spoken to the photographer who took the pix and am awaiting additional photos.


    Mike

  • <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

    Trust me I work for a living too........my wife thinks I'm CRAZY.........Is there a Mustangs NOS Anonymous? I think for me 12 Steps ain't gonna cut it!


    I've got more money in the unique "missing" K parts I've found for my car than I originally purcahsed it for - in 1979.


    Wish I had starting looking for the missing part sooner!

    <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>


    <img src=images/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> So I am not alone after all <img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

  • Has anyone persued the correct steel wheels beyond where this thread died ? My car was pictured originally with styled steel wheels in Ralley trim. My car was quickly turned into a race car so I would like to have the correct Kelsey steel wheels to match the photo's of my car back in the day.

    I just missed out on a complete set for $255.


    Greg

  • Other than the old Road and Track road test article, I have never seen 15" wheels on a Mustang other than a GT350. The wheels on the Mustang in that article look just like the wheels that came on the early GT350's. I would love to see any original pictures of any other Mustangs with these wheels if you have them. (Edit: I did just see your vintage pictures of your car in the Skrapbook section of the forum - very cool stuff!!)


    The 15 x 5.5 inch wheels that were originally installed on the early GT350's show up for sale once in a while. They look just like the 6 inch wheel that Dave posted a picture of above. There are many variations of Ford steel wheels, so be careful to get the proper one.


    Edited by - club 33 on 11/03/2010 07:43:24

  • The Competiton Suspension option was very rare on K Codes - but if you buy Tony's book you'll see a nice color photo of one with the 15" wheels.


    <img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>


    Edited by - RalphJr on 11/03/2010 07:58:55

  • <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

    The Competiton Suspension option was very rare on K Codes - but if you buy Tony's book you'll see a nice color photo of one with the 15" wheels.


    <img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

    <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>


    I've seen that and knew the owner of that car, but I don't know if it was ever verified if that particular car originally came with those wheels or they were added later or if the wheels that are in the picture are the correct style, since that is a restored car.


    I was more talking about finding a vintage image from '65 or '66 with a car originally equipped with these wheels.

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