1966 Wheel covers

[Edward S.]

I have several 66 wheel covers and some of them have a finish which has been discribed to me as "flash chroming". I know the tech manual says they should be polished stainless steel. My question is where did this "flash chroming" of wheel covers originate and are they acceptable in the judging arena? Also, if they are not acceptable to be judged can they be stripped and re-polished? I'm sure someone besides me must have come across this type of cover! Thanks for any feed back. Ed

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 Wheel covers

Ed, perhaps you are thinking of the spinner? The base was SS. Can you post a picture?

[Edward S.]

Re: 1966 Wheel covers

Ron, I am not talking about the spinners. I am talking about the 5 spokes and outer ring of the "base" as you call it. I have several of these and they are "flash chromed" as I discribed. Thanks for the reply, Ed

[Larry S.]

Re: 1966 Wheel covers

FWIW, I have 2 sets of NOS 66 wheel covers, and they are polished stainless steel. Quite nice, too.

[John H.]

Re: 1966 Wheel covers

I have several 66 wheel covers and some of them have a finish which has been discribed to me as "flash chroming". I know the tech manual says they should be polished stainless steel. My question is where did this "flash chroming" of wheel covers originate and are they acceptable in the judging arena?

Ed -

All midyear full wheel covers/trim rings were stamped from stainless steel, polished to a high luster, then flash-chromed (clear) to protect the polished surface from oxidation. That's the correct finish. The same process was used on virtually all C1/C2 stamped stainless trim parts.

[Edward S.]

Re: 1966 Wheel covers

Thank you John, I was hoping you had the answer. Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 Wheel covers

FWIW, I have 2 sets of NOS 66 wheel covers, and they are polished stainless steel. Quite nice, too.

Larry------


What's the part number of the covers? If it's GM #3964518 those are a SERVICE-only cover without spinners. The original covers were GM #3888813 and were discontinued in October, 1974

[Larry S.]

Re: 1966 Wheel covers

Larry------


What's the part number of the covers? If it's GM #3964518 those are a SERVICE-only cover without spinners. The original covers were GM #3888813 and were discontinued in October, 1974

They are service--no spinners.