Rim Comparisons
In speaking with Paul rgarding C.C. rim differences, I decided to do some comparisons with Cadillac rims in a given year. Since I am already working on completing a matched set of rims for my '56 Super Rescuer, I used '56 for my comparison year. The '56 Cad rim is a 1 year only rim.
As I mentioned previously, some passenger cars came from the factory with welded rims while other passenger cars came with 3-rivet rims, identical to the C.C. rims(at least from '56 through '60). Not sure as to why. My comparison was just between the riveted passenger car rims and the riveted C.C. rims. I compared 2 passenger car rims to 2 C.C. rims.
Both the C.C. rims and the passenger car rims were marked identically. All were marked with the "KH" near the valve stem on the front side. All had the same markings inside of the rim: "15x6-L Kelsey Hayes 56". The only noteable difference being that small drilled hole on the C.C. rims. I then weighed both pair of rims after cleaning them and stripping them of their valve stems and wheel weights. The C.C. rims weighed exactly 25 lbs, while the passenger car rims weighed exactly 22 lbs. Not a huge difference in weight, but a difference. Paul had speculated that I would find a weight difference in the rims. Apparently the C.C. rim uses a heavier steel, which the drilled hole must indicate.
