Keystone Klassics period correct?

been shopping around for wheels, and my dad offered me his set of keystone klassics, would they be period correct on my car? its a 60' bel air 4door, anyone have pics of keystone klassics on 58-64 chevys? thanks, Matt


btw, i would love some supremes, but cant afford them

 

Unless you are building a period correct restoration, use them. Keystones have a great look that enhance just about any car they are on... especially if they are free.

 

It depends on what period you're talking about...Keystone Klassics weren't around in 1960, but they were real popular in the late 1960s and through the 1970s. They are good looking wheels.

 

I don't think they came out until the late 60's so depending on the period of your build they may or may not be correct.

I generally hate keystones, although I saw a set where the centers had been painted a medium charcoal grey (kinda like old Torq-thrusts) and that looked fantastic, way better than you think. The whole center was painted, including the chromed parts and the recessed black parts. Only the outer ring was masked.

 

use them, can't go wrong..

 

I would ask Pop when he got them. I would guess muscle car era rather than early to mid sixties era. Guess it depends on what era you are trying to be period correct to. Many guys ran these wheels on their early 60's car years ago, but not until the late 60's or early 70's. They were still a pretty popular wheel through the 80's on the street, but mostly on muscle cars.

If they are being offered up, I would run them and be proud they came from your Dad. Later on when you have more experience and cash, do your own thing.

Good luck.

 

Free?
Use them. Put a set of 205/70/14 Cornell (PepBoys "finest") skinny white walls on them to be closest to era correct.
Then take your dad for a ride in it. Maybe even let him drive if he promisses to be careful and not abuse the machinery...

 

Got a set of 15 x 4.5 Keystones Klassics in the basement. Too bad the centers are all busted up. Caps may hide it somewhat but if not I,ll just use them for rollers.Look back through old hot rod magazines to see when they started to show up on cars or in advertising.

 

pops got them off a guy about 6 years back for $25 for all 4 lol

my step sisters real dad owned a few hot rod shops from the 70's to late 80's, he still builds rods and is my mentor, he said they used these alot in the late 60's to mid 70's on older early 60's cars, he thinks i should use them, i never seen them on anything besides muscle cars

an yes, i plan on useing the skinny whites from pep boys

 

Cool,keepin' it all in the family! Your pop will be as proud as you!

 

they look alright I got a set of unpainted ones at carlise last year for 20 bucks and put them on my coupe, though I do want to get a set of mags these will do for now.

 

man they look cool unpainted!

 

Cragar S/S came out in '64, predated the Keystone Klassic, so probably '67 ish...
I really don't like them even though they were on my first car...

 

Keystone Klassics came out in late 1964. There are 2 different versions. The early version looks way better then the later one. In the early 70s they switched to the 2nd version to cheapen them up.

 

Here is a picture of the early version. Notice the spokes are not conected to one another where they meet the rim. I don't have a picture of a later version but if you see one you'll know it.

 

just threw a set on my 59 el camino and it made a world of difference. Tradional or not it looks better!

 

Gary most likely has 26 sets of them

 

as previously stated....use them !!! at least until you decide and save up for a different set.

if you dont want them i'll take em! kidding...or am I???

Derek
mbmopar

 

My understanding was that the early ones were Keystones brand but didn't carry the Klassic name, the Klassic name came about for the other design. Now this is from some older guys that may not be remembering things correctly, but they haven't been wrong much.

 

Your right Z-Man. The first version was called Keystone Kust-O-Mag. I had forgotton that!

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

thanks guys, i have the later vesion, chrome/black, anyone got pics on a 58-63 chevy? preferably a 60' bel air

 

if anyone wants to photoshop the chrome/black keystones with skinny whites here is a pic of my car from a while back (the speakers are now gone and i made a new grill)

 

wouldn't be right to me. Cragers I could go with, but the Klassics look right on mid-late 60's muscle cars...especially Mopars. Chrome smoothies with baby moons, now we're talking.

 

Not trying to threadjack, but while we're on the topic of period correct wheels when did aluminum dish / slot mags show up on the scene? I've got them on my Comet due to limited wheel choices for 4 x 4 1/2 bolt pattern.

 

These look just like one of the first Aussie mags called tasman's
I would run the keystones i love the look of them

 

My first car, a 57 Chevy convertible, had them on it. 1975. Looked great, at the time!
NO whitewalls, though! White lettered tires, or blackwalls were in when Keystones were hot.

 

Hell I'd just pain the steelies to match the roof and put some skiiny whites on..

 

You're right, they look good without the black paint. Still a late 60's/early 70's wheel, but there's nothing wrong with the late 60's/early 70's in my book.

 

I bought a set for my '63 Ford Galaxie 406 XL right after they came out in 1964. I recall the astronomical price of $49 each(I think I was making about $110/week) - the wheels and the Firestone 500 narrow whites were sold to help pay for my first honeymoon with my first wife

 

my 59 had some 14's on it when I got it...