PO2 Wheel Covers ?'s
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Anderson SC
PO2 Wheel Covers ?'s
1. I'm under the assumption that PO2 cars came with regular 8" steel rims as opposed to the "rally wheels" - Am I correct?
2. What's up with PO1 some years and PO2 other years - same cover right??
3. For extra credit: I have a thingie hanging in my garage that looks like a 14" inch PO2 wheel cover. It even has the correct crossed flags logo in the middle. Anyone know WTF is came off of? Sure beats me.
Anyone *need* it? If so PM me.
-W
2. What's up with PO1 some years and PO2 other years - same cover right??
3. For extra credit: I have a thingie hanging in my garage that looks like a 14" inch PO2 wheel cover. It even has the correct crossed flags logo in the middle. Anyone know WTF is came off of? Sure beats me.
Anyone *need* it? If so PM me.
-W
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
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From: Frederick Maryland
Rally wheels are nothing but the standard steel wheel with a trim ring and the center cap. It's the same 8" wide wheel the P02 wheel covers are mounted on.
The P01 wheel cover was 1968 only and the difference is the center cap doesn't stick out as far. It's quite easy to mistake the two unless you know them well or have one of each to compare against the other. In fact, the only differences between the P02 and the deluxe wheel covers put on Caprices is the center cap and the emblem.
Genuine P01 wheel covers are hard to find since they were a single year option only.
I just guessing but the 14" P02 is probably meant for a different Chevrolet car (or even a different GM car) and someone attached the crossed flags emblem on it.
The P01 wheel cover was 1968 only and the difference is the center cap doesn't stick out as far. It's quite easy to mistake the two unless you know them well or have one of each to compare against the other. In fact, the only differences between the P02 and the deluxe wheel covers put on Caprices is the center cap and the emblem.
Genuine P01 wheel covers are hard to find since they were a single year option only.
I just guessing but the 14" P02 is probably meant for a different Chevrolet car (or even a different GM car) and someone attached the crossed flags emblem on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
I'm fairly certain that the PO2 covers did not come on rally wheels. I had a '68 coupe with that type of wheel cover and there were no oval slots on the wheel [you would have seen them through the spokes on the covers]. There were some differences for different years; I think most had to do with the logo on the center hub.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Anderson SC
Good info from both - thanks. I tend to agree about the wheels not being the rally wheels with the holes. I've seen two '68's and both of the ones with the PO2 (PO1) wheel covers had the plain (black) stamped steel rims with no holes.
Fascinating on the PO1 vs PO2 covers... I think my 14" thingie is a PO1 type as the center has less rise.
-W
Fascinating on the PO1 vs PO2 covers... I think my 14" thingie is a PO1 type as the center has less rise.
-W
CF Community Team
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
The difference between P01 and P02's is VERY slight. In fact, early promo shots of 68 vettes show a different center that, from my investigations, was never put in to production. The production P01 and P02's are almost idenitical. The ones with the flat center caps are not for a Corvette. I've been shown the difference between original P01 and P02's and I had to get about 2 inches away to see the difference...........They are basically the same. From what I have been told, on P01's, where the "fin" mets at the center hub..it's a flat or staight meet.......on P02's, it's pointed.............VERY hard to see.......That's what I was told from a member more knowledgable than me, but I did see the difference.......and they are all 15"...........Again, the EARLY promo shots showing a very distinct difference in the center protrusion, (I don't think) were ever produced for sale...........If anyone has one, please post a picture! stay safe, John
PS.......Clam, still interested, I will call you tomorrow, Thanks, john
PS.......Clam, still interested, I will call you tomorrow, Thanks, john
Administrator
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
1. wrong
2. wrong
Fail.
I'm fairly certain that the PO2 covers did not come on rally wheels. I had a '68 coupe with that type of wheel cover and there were no oval slots on the wheel [you would have seen them through the spokes on the covers]. There were some differences for different years; I think most had to do with the logo on the center hub.
If you pop the P02 off your '69, you will find a Rally wheel underneath.
The P01 was 1968 and had a redesign continuing into 1969. (P02)
When I bought this very original 1969, it had P02s...
When I popped off the P02s (and changed the tires) these wheels were underneath....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sydney
I agree my '70 has P02's as a factory option and my car had silver rally wheels underneath. As a matter of fact I have been driving it around with the plain steel rally wheels (no trim at all) for over a year now 
, they give it the mean look with the newly installed stainless hooker sidepipes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Pensacola FLA
The difference between P01 and P02's is VERY slight. In fact, early promo shots of 68 vettes show a different center that, from my investigations, was never put in to production. The production P01 and P02's are almost idenitical. The ones with the flat center caps are not for a Corvette. I've been shown the difference between original P01 and P02's and I had to get about 2 inches away to see the difference...........They are basically the same. From what I have been told, on P01's, where the "fin" mets at the center hub..it's a flat or staight meet.......on P02's, it's pointed.............VERY hard to see.......That's what I was told from a member more knowledgable than me, but I did see the difference.......and they are all 15"...........Again, the EARLY promo shots showing a very distinct difference in the center protrusion, (I don't think) were ever produced for sale...........If anyone has one, please post a picture! stay safe, John
PS.......Clam, still interested, I will call you tomorrow, Thanks, john
PS.......Clam, still interested, I will call you tomorrow, Thanks, john
Here's a shot of one in a set that I have hanging on my garage wall.
Would you call this a flat meet?
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0120_large.jpg
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Instructor
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From: Methuen Ma
There was a 14 inch PO1 type wheel cover, as stated above it had the flat type emblem. I think they came on 68ish Malabu's and even some other GM applications. The reason I know I saw a set of these covers at Carsile a few years back for a real good price being sold as 15 inch PO1,PO2 style Corvette deluxe wheel covers. I almost fell for it until I measured the diameter...sure enough they were 14's....
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
John,
Here's a shot of one in a set that I have hanging on my garage wall.
Would you call this a flat meet?
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0120_large.jpg
Here's a shot of one in a set that I have hanging on my garage wall.
Would you call this a flat meet?
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_i...0120_large.jpg
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Anderson SC
-W
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
The '68 I had was 5 years old when I bought it; but it was purchased from the original owner who swore the car was still as he purchased it. It did have the spoked covers with black rims (not rallys). The guy could have been lying to me, but everything else on the car was 'correct' and I don't see any motivation for him to lie about it. I can't respond to NCRS documents (which have been wrong before), but other references show P01's as available in 1968 model year.
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
The '68 I had was 5 years old when I bought it; but it was purchased from the original owner who swore the car was still as he purchased it. It did have the spoked covers with black rims (not rallys). The guy could have been lying to me, but everything else on the car was 'correct' and I don't see any motivation for him to lie about it. I can't respond to NCRS documents (which have been wrong before), but other references show P01's as available in 1968 model year.
Colvin's book shows 2 wheels available in 1966 and 1967, the "regular" and "aluminum"... I was thinking that maybe what you are talking about is an odd carryover from 1967... but the '67 wheel was 15 x 6. I cannot find any listing of any wheel available in 1968 other than the AG coded Rally, 15 x 7.
(Doesn't mean its not possible, just haven't been able to verify it
)However, if I had to guess, I'd say at some point in its years before you got it someone decided the Rallys were being wasted under the full wheel cover, and replaced them with a black 15 X 7.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Jul 26, 2009 at 02:15 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi All,
I looked at the option page in the 71 AIM.
UPC Option Index, Sheet 1.
For option PO2 it says "COVER-Wheel Trim Deluxe". Then there is a symbol like a half-moon which indicates " INSTALLS SAME AS PRODUCTION"
I'd think IF a different wheel was involved it would be mentioned there.
I vote for rally wheels on all cars. (Charlie, I don't doubt what you saw with your own eyes).
Regards,
Alan
I looked at the option page in the 71 AIM.
UPC Option Index, Sheet 1.
For option PO2 it says "COVER-Wheel Trim Deluxe". Then there is a symbol like a half-moon which indicates " INSTALLS SAME AS PRODUCTION"
I'd think IF a different wheel was involved it would be mentioned there.
I vote for rally wheels on all cars. (Charlie, I don't doubt what you saw with your own eyes).
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 26, 2009 at 02:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Anderson SC
Alan, I think we're all past the point of anyone contending that PO2 wheel covers came on anything but rally wheels. The area (if any) in grey is if the 1968 PO1 wheel covers ever came on the 7" black steel rims. While all the official documentaion does not support it, so far three cars seem to think they came with them.
-W
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; Jul 26, 2009 at 03:20 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Wichita KS
I'm fairly certain that the PO2 covers did not come on rally wheels. I had a '68 coupe with that type of wheel cover and there were no oval slots on the wheel [you would have seen them through the spokes on the covers]. There were some differences for different years; I think most had to do with the logo on the center hub.
I am pretty sure that the only 15x8 steel wheel for 69 and up was the rally wheel as I have never seen any others for sale anywhere.
BTW, I have several different styles of POx hub caps available, 14", 15", pointed ribs and straight ribs, flat center caps, 1-5/8" center caps and the 1/2" PO1 style center cap. I bet I have $100 tied up in the wrong style of hub caps.
cc
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
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From: Anderson SC
Thanks for adding...
Just FYI the Riks catalog shows 6" for '63-'67, 7.5 inch for '68, and 8" for 69 and up. (just sayin')
-W (off to examine his POx ribs more closely)
Last edited by Clams Canino; Jul 26, 2009 at 07:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi -W,
I haven't found anything definitive on the 68 wheel.
Here's what I found on the base 67 STEEL WHEEL. "This wheel, Part # 3901697, became known as a 'rally wheel'. The base wheels were supposed to have been painted silver. However, the first base wheels were painted black instead of silver as reported by serial number 100155 (155)". Noland Adams. There are even some photos of 67 Prototype cars with what appear to be black rally wheels and one car with silver rally wheels but with SPINNERS on the center cap!!!!!
Is it likely that Chevrolet would go back to a conventionally styled steel wheel in 68?
Over and Out.
Regards,
Alan
By the way... the openings are described in the part's book as "hand holes"?!?!
I haven't found anything definitive on the 68 wheel.
Here's what I found on the base 67 STEEL WHEEL. "This wheel, Part # 3901697, became known as a 'rally wheel'. The base wheels were supposed to have been painted silver. However, the first base wheels were painted black instead of silver as reported by serial number 100155 (155)". Noland Adams. There are even some photos of 67 Prototype cars with what appear to be black rally wheels and one car with silver rally wheels but with SPINNERS on the center cap!!!!!
Is it likely that Chevrolet would go back to a conventionally styled steel wheel in 68?
Over and Out.
Regards,
Alan
By the way... the openings are described in the part's book as "hand holes"?!?!
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,330
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Alan, I think we're all past the point of anyone contending that PO2 wheel covers came on anything but rally wheels. The area (if any) in grey is if the 1968 PO1 wheel covers ever came on the 7" black steel rims. While all the official documentaion does not support it, so far three cars seem to think they came with them.
-W
-W