Beauty Rings
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Beauty Rings
Pricing these out and OEM rings I have priced are $100 a piece through corvette america... Reproduction rings are $26.95 a piece.
Is there major differences between the look of OEM vs. Reproduction?
Should I just get 4 Reproduction for the price of one OEM?? What do you guys think, and anyone know where to get them any cheaper??
Thanks
Is there major differences between the look of OEM vs. Reproduction?
Should I just get 4 Reproduction for the price of one OEM?? What do you guys think, and anyone know where to get them any cheaper??
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The reproduction rings are not exactly the same...but pretty close. The plating is not as good as the originals (a little brownish tinge to them) but they look a lot better than beat-up originals. The holding clips on them are really stiff and take a lot of work to get them onto the rim without damaging the ring. But they sure are a lot less expensive than stock rims. Most folks wouldn't know the difference.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I do both. I have two sets of the orignal 4 clip. I also have two sets of the reproduction "vari-clip" style. Eyeball scale, it's very difficult to tell the two apart.
If I'm going to a cruise-in or some place where the car will be seen, I install the 4 clips. If I'm just out riding around, I run the vari-clips.
If I'm going to a cruise-in or some place where the car will be seen, I install the 4 clips. If I'm just out riding around, I run the vari-clips.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,281
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi AM,
There is some difference in the various rings available.
The rings installed at the factory had 4 clips with 1 of the clips always lined up with the valve stem hole in the ring.
Over the counter GM rings had and have 4 clips but the clip orientation is moved around from the valve stem hole 45 degrees.
There is also a difference in the 'inner' ring that the clips are attached to. When the ring is installed you use a credit card to tell the difference.
There are American and Chinese reproductions and some are just stainless steel and some are flash chrome over stainless steel.
All this matters to... well you know who.
Unmarked original rings have become so expensive that it is now worthwhile for someone to be restoring original rings with curb rash.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I haven't even started on the rings with the grabber clips all the way around. Usually the CHEAPEST option.
There is some difference in the various rings available.
The rings installed at the factory had 4 clips with 1 of the clips always lined up with the valve stem hole in the ring.
Over the counter GM rings had and have 4 clips but the clip orientation is moved around from the valve stem hole 45 degrees.
There is also a difference in the 'inner' ring that the clips are attached to. When the ring is installed you use a credit card to tell the difference.
There are American and Chinese reproductions and some are just stainless steel and some are flash chrome over stainless steel.
All this matters to... well you know who.
Unmarked original rings have become so expensive that it is now worthwhile for someone to be restoring original rings with curb rash.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I haven't even started on the rings with the grabber clips all the way around. Usually the CHEAPEST option.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Thank you for all of your replies. I am going to go with the cheaper version for now... It's a driver, and the gentleman that sold it to me said he had issues keeping one on so I don't want to dump too much into these things until I have it figured out.
Thanks again..
Thanks again..
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 1
From: grand prairie texas
Try these trim rings from corvette central and they have free shipping right now. My link didnt work but anyway go to their site $79.95 and you will have to spend a few more bucks to get the free shipping.
