1962 Hubcaps and wheels

[John O.]

Hi again.

Can someone clarify this? My 62 vette was built August 8th 1961..Are the wheels for my car supposed to be riveted or welded? Also I was told that original hubcaps for 62 had a light bluish tint. Is this true? I have a chance to purchase both.The guy wants $75.00 a piece for the wheels and $600.00 for the 4 hubcaps which are in great condition except for a couple light scratches. Is that a decent price for the hubcaps?

Thanks .....John

[Roy B.]

Re: 1962 Hubcaps and wheels

welded. about caps being tint depends who you ask, $125.00 each is fair for original caps

[Dennis C.]

IMHO - Standard Wheels Were Welded... *NM*

[Dennis C.]

IMHO - Standard Wheels Were Welded...

...there are also subtle configuration issues that enter into the equation. If you'd like to chat about that, let me know. Best, Dennis

[Edward L.]

Re: 1962 Hubcaps and wheels

The '62 wheels were welded. However, they were not the welded "dog bone" style. The correct solid welded wheels are a bit harder to find.

[Chris H.]

'62 wheel identification

1962 The wheels should be welded, no dogbone (sorta dogbone shape cut out on the back side of the center section next to the welds that hold the center section to the rim), double hump on the center section, body colored on black tires, body colored on whitewalls tires.

Should also be dated. Plese tell what dates you have. (on rim under tire)

See my pics. password/user id is chenige

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1962 Hubcaps and wheels

It is settled that they were welded, and not rivetted. It is still not settled what variety of welded they were. None of which you can see when the wheel is on the car and the hubcap is on the wheel. You'll get full points for the wrong wheels if you paint them right and install the full hubcaps. Wrong and right welded wheels go for around $100 each. Rivetted around $50-$75. When somebody decides what the right welded wheel was, they'll initially go for a million dollars apiece on EBay.

Original hubcaps are $125 each on up, depending on condition. Repro hubcaps are a little more than $125 each. The repro hubcaps are pretty and look right. But an experienced judge can tell the difference. The hubcaps are stainless steel with "flash" chroming. "Flash" chroming is quick and cheap chroming. Can sometimes be seen to have a slightly bluish tint if held just right to the sun. When the flash chroming wears off, the stainless can sometimes be seen to have a yellowish tint if held just right to the sun. That's what I'm told. I can't tell the difference.

If you buy rivetted wheels, put little dabs of RTV on the rivet on the inside of the wheel to guard against air leaks.

[John M.]

[Tracy C.]

Re: 1962 Hubcaps and wheels

John,

I agree with your comments. Here is a pic that shows a marked difference between bare stainless and the affect that the dip in the chrome tank will make. This is most apparent on overcast days (note the reflection of the sky). On bluebird days this isn't as noticeable.

Areba chrome still does flash chrome and I've had good luck with them. Rick Applegate has done a couple sets of windshield trim and about 5 sets of hubcaps for me. No problems yet.

tc




Areba Chrome