Snowflake wheel date code/part number?

[Maxthe222]

I've seen in all the part manuals and reference documentation that there are part numbers or two digit codes for snowies, like how there are codes on the Rallies (KR, HW etc). Where are they on snowflakes? I have a bunch of sets of 15x7 snowflakes and 15x8's rolling around, and not sure if they're a complete set or mismatched etc. I've had a good look on them and I've definitely not seen any codes like "JT" or "HA" on them. How do I determine the date code to see if I can huddle up a complete set?

Here is a website that lists all those two digit codes and a bunch of part numbers:
http://www.pontiacserver.com/wheels.html

This is a 15x7 snowflake I have, this appears to be the 1977-81 "closed hole" style, where are the codes? What do these ones mean?




and here is a 15x8 WS6 snowie:

[Warren Seale]

I'm not aware of any two letter codes for these.  And I don't recall seeing a date code.  Sometimes you'll see Western Wheel stamped on them.  Kelsey was also supposed to be a supplier but I don't know if they just made the 7 inch version.  All of those codes stamped on them are probably internal codes that the manufacturer used.

[Maxthe222]

Hmm, I thought as much. All of my snowies have Western Wheel cast into them, they were the third party manufacturer who made them for Pontiac.

[Wallington]

I haven't noticed anything too exciting on most snowflakes, or looked. But just for interest, here's the back of a Kelsey Hayes 15x7" 'closed-spoke' rim. Interestingly, KH still cast both types. This is the Mexico plant.
Appears to have code QH upside-down, which could be application, or guy on line checking things off.
Also appears to have possible date of 06 22 8.

15x7 Snowflake Kelsey Hayes by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

I can't make out the stampings in my other 15x7" rim pics and long sold the set I had. Random trivia, they were sold to a guy who claimed he now owned this ex-show car Torana but had rims replaced at some point.
https://cache.gmh-torana.com.au/img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/z32016104/MelbMotorShow.jpg

Edit: Just found one pic of my old 15x7 set, stamped in side as per Max's pic, appears to be either SE 974 or SL 974, or similar, in the unmachined area.

Just to mix it up, here's a WW NOS 79-81 15x8" from 1985 production, no stamping at all. Spare replacement part but still nothing extra.

NOS GM 15x8 Gold Snowflake rim 5 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

Again, another NOS 15x8" but to suit a 78 model. Stamping says ZD917. I'm not sure when 78 production began, or for parts but possible combine date code and application code. Other side, only other stamping, says AD119.

NOS WS6 1978 8JJ Snowflake rim Gold  (5) by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

[Maxthe222]

Hmmm, those have more stampings than the ones I've got from Western. Oh well, aside from the design of the outside lip, the best I'll be able to do is probably be able to just say either 1978 or 1979 to 81 WS6 wheels.

[Warren Seale]

Hmm, I thought as much. All of my snowies have Western Wheel cast into them, they were the third party manufacturer who made them for Pontiac.

They were a popular aftermarket wheel supplier from that time.  These catalog photos show what they offered.

https://vintagewheelcatalogs.com/western/

[Warren Seale]

The history of Kelsey Hayes, Western Wheel, Rockwell is shown here.  It comes from a Corvette Forum posting.

Went thru some of my files about these wheels the past few hours. Info is from Corvette America archives, Kelsey-Hayes published history of the company from their (old) website, and miscellaneous other documents I found over the years.

1963: Kelsey Hayes produces the first cast aluminum wheel for the 1963 Corvette. However problems delay actual production use until 1964 model year (beginning around mid-November 1963)

1964- thru 1960's: Kelsey Hayes produces the KO and Bolt-on aluminum wheels for Corvettes.

Late 1960's to early 1970's: Kelsey Hayes begins to sub this wheel work to small company called Western Wheel due to limited in-house aluminum casting capability and other business decisions.

Early 1970's to mid-1970's: WW produces these wheels for KH (for GM sales)...... as well as begins producing aluminum wheels for others. WW grows in size and capability.

1978: Rockwell buys WW. Rockwell/WW also gets GM contact for Corvette, Z/28 Camaro and other factory aluminum wheels. Wheels made from this point carry both Rockwell and WW logos.

1984 : Rockwell sells WW aluminum wheel business to Kelsey-Hayes. Kelsey-Hayes also begins to acquire many other aluminum wheel and aluminum casting facilities world-wide. (aluminum wheel business expansion) Wheels made from this point carry both K-H and WW logos.

Mid-1980's: Corvette America acquires exclusive distribution rights to the WW KO and Bolt-on C2 Corvette wheels.

Late 1980's: KMC Wheel takes over production based on WW recommendation and desire to exit this business. Wheel tooling moves to Riverside, California. Corvette America maintains exclusive distribution rights.

Early 1990's: KMC says they wish to exit this business due to older technology being used and low sales volumes. Corvette America and KMC have new tooling made in Germany for use in USA wheel production..

Late 1990's: KMC begins outsourcing wheel manufacture to China. Tooling is sent overseas to China.

Year 2000: China Wheel begins wheel production. They also revise the molds due to age and damage, resulting in thicker fins and other changes in original wheel appearance.

Year 2005: Corvette America authorizes new molds to be made using original GM blueprints for China Wheel. This is the current wheel design being sold under Corvette America Brand.

This is the thread.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c1-and-c2-corvettes/4447029-knock-off-wheels-made-by-rockwell-international-2.html