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Can anyone tell me the difference between the PO1 (Bright Metal Wheel Covers) for 68 and the PO2's for 70 through 73 cars? Why would GM call it a PO1 in 68 and PO2 in the years following? Also, is there anything I should look for to ensure they are the correct ones (item number, stamps, etc...) Thanks...
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Re: 1968 PO1's
Ed-----
I don't know why the RPO designation changed after 1968. However, the covers, themselves, were the same. All were GM #3923630.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 1968 PO1's
I've got some pictures - if someone can host them. There is a difference.TerryComment
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Re: 1968 PO1's
Terry-----
If so, there must have been a change to the part without there being a change of part number. The part number for the covers never changed from 1968 to 1973. However, there were similar, but not identical, covers used for other Chevrolet models.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1968 PO1's
The difference is in the way the lines of the turbines meet at the center of the cover. In one case the lines never meet, and are separate all the way to the edge that the center medallion abuts to. In the other case the lines meet just before reaching the edge. This difference is in the cover itself, not the center medallion.
It is difficult to understand that there was no part number change if there was a change in the option designation. That seems contrary to logic. It is also difficult to understand why they would change the option designation if there was no change in the part.TerryComment
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Re: 1968 PO1's
Terry------
I think that the change in the RPO designation must have been the result of something other than the the change in the part. If there had been a change in the RPO for the reason of the part changing, then I would expect that the part number of the part would have changed, too. I expect that the fact that the RPO changed after 1968 which is, apparently, the same time that the part changed is just a coincidence.
Part numbers were not really "tied" to RPO's, anyway. There are many RPOs that kept the same RPO designation over the years while the parts which made up the RPO at any given time may have changed extensively. For example, the 63-66 knock off aluminum wheels, RPO P-48, changed each and every year during the period and there were also changes in the part numbers for the wheels. However, the P-48 designation never changed. In the case of these wheel covers, it seems hard to imagine that a relatively subtle change in the design of the cover, apparently acomplished via a revision to the drawing for the part and not even a part number change, would have resulted in a change in the RPO designation of the option.
The change in these wheel covers must have been a revision to the drawing or, perhaps, there was an alternate design authorized by the original drawings and different suppliers chose to manufacture the parts differently. It could also be that some manufacturing problem was encountered with the "first design", so the tooling was revised to correct it.
In any event, I've checked this pretty extensively and I can find no indication that the part number for the wheel covers ever changed.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1968 PO1's
Ed, Terry and Joe where the turbine fin meets the center cap they come to some what of a point on the PO1. On the PO2 the turbine fin meets the cap it is square. Also the center cap on the PO1 is slightly smaller then the turbine center approx. 1/16 inch on the PO2 the cap is flush with the turbine fin. Hope this helps. Paul #18046Comment
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Re: Center Cap size
I think the only difference in the PO-1/ PO/2s was that the chrome center cap is slightly smaller in diameter on the over- the- counter GM replacement caps. If you run your fingernail down the fins toward the center cap and if your fingernail catches on the outside edge of the centercap, the cap is an original, (delivered with the car).
1960 Buick Riveara full hubs are exactly the same except for the plastic center piece, which you can replace with the Corvette center piece.Comment
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Re: Center Cap size
This is a whole lot of information... I will be heading to Corvettes at Carlisle at the end of Aug. If anyone might be heading that way and have a set of these that I can look at or purchase that would be great... With all this info and details, I don't think I will be purchasing a set without physically touching and evaluating them... Thanks to all who provided help...Comment
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Re: Center Cap size
Ed I have only seen 2 pair of PO1s on 2 different cars 1 at Bloomington and the other at NCRS national this year for both 1 pair on each. I would think they would be very hard to find. I have not been searching for them but for the past few years I just look at PO2s because my 71 has them and was just interested to found out what the difference was between the 2 were. I will be at Carlisle 26th thru 28th. Email me and would meet you to show the differences. Staying at the Days Inn Carlisle. Paul#18046Comment
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