C2 reproduction Rallye wheel hubcaps

[Joe R.]

For the purposes of NCRS Flight judging, are there any detectable differences between the original 1967 Rallye wheel hubcaps and the reproductions sold by Paragon and/or Zip?

My original hubcaps would need considerable work to return them to show quality, so I'm thinking about just buying a set of reproductions. I would like to know in advance if I'm likely to lose some originality points for using the repro hub caps and center emblems.

By the way, I have already read the informative postings on original versus reproduction trim rings, and I plan to restore my original trim rings as best I can.

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 reproduction Rallye wheel hubcaps

Yes, expect the senior judges to spot the reproduction center caps from factory originals pretty quickly. How do they tell?

The repros are BETTER than originals in terms of chrome fill of the circular fluting in the cap centers. Originals are believed to have been produced in a quick 'n dirty manner with the chrome coverage VERY thin in this area leaving a copper undertone showing through....

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 reproduction Rallye wheel hubcaps

Thanks, Jack. So, is the problem only with the reproduction center caps? In other words, is it "safe" to use the reproduction stainless hub caps? I think it would cost me more to have my original stainless hub caps restored than it would cost to buy the reproductions. Then my only problem would be deciding what to do about the center caps.

[Brian M.]

Re: C2 reproduction Rallye wheel hubcaps

The hubcaps score 5 points for orig. and 5 for condition. So if you use your original caps and get all the orig. points how many points do you think your caps will loose on condition? Small # in the big picture.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 reproduction Rallye wheel hubcaps

Hi Brian. My original center caps are somewhat pitted and would definitely lose condition points. I could get them rechromed, but I'm not sure the end result would be any better than new reproductions.

So far I haven't heard anyone say that the reproduction stainless hubcaps are detectable, so I'll probably just get the reproductions of those. Maybe I can get my original center caps replated with the thin plating that GM used.

[Dick W.]

Re: C2 reproduction Rallye wheel hubcaps

Unless things have changed, the repro's from Paragon are 100% correct. There are probably more of the Disc Brake center caps out there that came from Paragon than are from GM. Made in same tooling by same vendor to GM