How to ID original 356 rims?

[bugnut68]

Just bought a set of rims at an estate sale that were billed as a set of "early VW wheels", complete with caps.  Got a fifth to complete the set for a spare with a near-new 165 mounted, as well.  At a glance, I'm thinking they're not the typical chromies, but I want to confirm my hunch.  Will try to get pics up soon... They've been painted, and I'm thinking they may be original 356's, and they also have the "baby moon" type caps on them.  Are there any tell tale ID signs to confirm whether they're original Porsche rims?  As they have been painted, I'm thiniking they may need to be blasted in order to find out for sure.

[plasticblack]

VW Wheels are almost always stamped with the VW Logo and a date of manufacture.

As I recall, Porsche 356 Rims also have a date stamped on them but as far as I can remember no Porsche logo.

If you're planning to blast them, don't be using anything to harsh, as you'll remove any worthwhile identification marks in the process??

Perhaps dipping them or Soda Blasting might be kinder.

Good luck & keep us posted 

[lawrence]

The easiest way to identify a 356 wheel is to look for a bump in the wheel lip above the valve stem hole. Chromies do not have this. 356 wheels also have stampings around the lug hole diameter very similar to stock VW wheels.

[Rennsurfer]

If they're real, they'll have the year of manufacture stamped next to one of the lug holes. If you're planning on blasting 'em, use a very fine grit of media. If I wasn't on such a budget, I'd have a set of matching (year) ones on my '67. But my reproduction ones are doing the job quite nicely.

[bugnut68]

I found John Plow's article on the CLF right after posting this earlier... so far it looks as though these are the real deal   One wheel I can't seem to find any identifying marks on, one wheel has the tire on it still and the other three have either Lemmeritz (sp?) with the aforementioned ID factors on the inside of the wheel (portion covered by the tire when mounted), or another manufacturer's name (Kronprinz or something similar, don't have it committed to memory, but begins with an K I believe).  The two that have the 'L' brand on them are dated '1/59', while the Lemmeritz one is dated 6/66, I believe, or somewhere in that vicinity.

[Bruce]

Another indicator is the width.  356 wheels were 4½" wide, VW wheels, 4".

[javabug]

Lemmeritz and Kromprintz are the two wheel manufacturers you'll want to see.  My spelling may be off, as I've been drinking.

[.]

Actually, there are three, Lemmerz, Kronprinz (KPZ) and Sudrad.

[allmenplayon10]

The easiest way to identify a 356 wheel is to look for a bump in the wheel lip above the valve stem hole. Chromies do not have this. 356 wheels also have stampings around the lug hole diameter very similar to stock VW wheels.

mine, note "Lemmerz" mark and bump in wheel lip

A much underated wheel in my humble opinion, which is a good thing  - a liitle individuality

[bugnut68]

They're the real deal!  I have three dated 1/59, one dated 6/66, and another dated 1/56... Lemmerz and the 'K' one...the moon caps aren't much to write home about, as at least two have a couple dents, but fact is I got five OG rims and a new 165 tire (Les Schwab tire sticker still on the tread!) for $40.

Think I'll go back and get the snow tire/chromie combo next week, if they're still there.

[bugnut68]

Another question: is there any hope for the baby moon caps in terms of restoring them?  None are tremendously beat up, but at least two have dings/small dents in them, just wondering what the interest/demand is in these, as well...

[stealth67vw]

Actually, there are three, Lemmerz, Kronprinz (KPZ) and Sudrad.

Not to derail this topic from Ryan, but I bought a $100 63 Baja a few months ago and it came with a set of 66-67 style (no clips) chrome wheels made by KPZ in Brazil. Are these worth anything? Any history on these?

[Rennsurfer]

Not to derail this topic from Ryan, but I bought a $100 63 Baja a few months ago and it came with a set of 66-67 style (no clips) chrome wheels made by KPZ in Brazil. Are these worth anything? Any history on these?

Don't know much about 'em... I'm pretty sure that they were sold in the '70s. I had a set on my orange '66 before I switched to 8 spokes.

[beetletom]

Not to derail this topic from Ryan, but I bought a $100 63 Baja a few months ago and it came with a set of 66-67 style (no clips) chrome wheels made by KPZ in Brazil. Are these worth anything? Any history on these?

Don't know much about 'em... I'm pretty sure that they were sold in the '70s. I had a set on my orange '66 before I switched to 8 spokes.

now those are cool!!! 

[Rennsurfer]

now those are cool!!! 

Thanks, Tom... that was 1979 and I didn't really dig on 'em that much back then. Wish I could remember what I did with 'em, though. They were either sold or they're somewhere 'round my house. I know the hubcaps in that picture were the original German ones that came with the car when I bought it and they ended up being sold with the car when it had real Porsche 356 silver wheels. It looked actually pretty cool.

[stealth67vw]

The last time the Baja was registered was 1979.

[1957lowlight]

I have seen Kronprinz wheels, where you see KPZ logo's on the front and Kroonprinz on the back or in the middle, where the tires are at.  Kroonprinz and lemmerz are the producers.  I don't think they ever had a Porsche logo.

Good luck.

Very nice wheel indeed.  Kind of vintage callook...

Philip Steenackers
Flatline Lowriders
Belgium

[bugnut68]

Pics...