Trims rings too!
1968 Rally Wheel Question ?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Hey guys this is most likely a good topic to post this Question..?
On a 68 , whats the difference with centre cap design..
I see some suppliers offer Crossed flags as well as "Chevrolet Motor Division" ?
Did 68's ever have the flags as well..?
Thanks Marty.
On a 68 , whats the difference with centre cap design..
I see some suppliers offer Crossed flags as well as "Chevrolet Motor Division" ?
Did 68's ever have the flags as well..?
Thanks Marty.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
I could be wrong, but I also have read somewhere , that 68 centre cap was slightly different in the stainless dish part, the lip was supposed to be slightly more pronounced, however , don't quote me on that..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 768
From: Waterford WI
Mike is right. Same trim ring. Look at a correct 68 installation vs. correct 69-up. The inner lip of the trim ring is noticeably closer to the center web of the wheel. Same trim ring, different wheel.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,330
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi m,
Some confusion may be caused by the first rally wheel cap and ring which was used in the 67 model year and IS quite different than the cap and ring used for the 68 model year.
Some people like the look of the 67 cap with the 68+ ring on the 8" wheel since it gives quite a deep look to the wheel.
The caps without the "Chevrolet Motor Division" script, and caps with the crossed flags, are aftermarket caps and often made of plastic…. and their cost/value reflects that.
Regards,
Alan
Some confusion may be caused by the first rally wheel cap and ring which was used in the 67 model year and IS quite different than the cap and ring used for the 68 model year.
Some people like the look of the 67 cap with the 68+ ring on the 8" wheel since it gives quite a deep look to the wheel.
The caps without the "Chevrolet Motor Division" script, and caps with the crossed flags, are aftermarket caps and often made of plastic…. and their cost/value reflects that.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 6, 2016 at 08:18 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,667
Likes: 3,123
From: Shamong, NJ
As Mike pointed out, this is a 4 year old post, so it might have been better to start a new post......as the moderators like to say. 
There is no difference in the "sombrero" style rally center caps used on 68's, from any other 69-82 Corvette rally center cap. The only marking on the caps was "Chevrolet Motor Division". The base of the caps were stainless steel, and the center section was chrome plated pot metal.
The exact same sombrero caps were also used on 15" Z/28, Monte Carlo, Chevelle, El Camino and Impala rallys, as well as 14" rallys on Camaros, Chevelles, and Novas.
Alan's correct in that the ones that are blank, or have cross flags on them, are aftermarket pieces, and not something GM ever offered.
The 68 15x7 rally, and the 69-82 15x8 rallys, both used the same trim ring. Only the 67 15x6 rally, used a different trim ring.
On a 68 , whats the difference with centre cap design..
I see some suppliers offer Crossed flags as well as "Chevrolet Motor Division" ?
Did 68's ever have the flags as well..?
Thanks Marty.
I see some suppliers offer Crossed flags as well as "Chevrolet Motor Division" ?
Did 68's ever have the flags as well..?
Thanks Marty.
The exact same sombrero caps were also used on 15" Z/28, Monte Carlo, Chevelle, El Camino and Impala rallys, as well as 14" rallys on Camaros, Chevelles, and Novas.
Alan's correct in that the ones that are blank, or have cross flags on them, are aftermarket pieces, and not something GM ever offered.
The 68 15x7 rally, and the 69-82 15x8 rallys, both used the same trim ring. Only the 67 15x6 rally, used a different trim ring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Original style reproduction GM four clip trim rings do fit on a 68 7" rim.
The problem that people have is buying the cheaper multiple clip aftermarket trim rings that some dummy designed with the wrong shape. The contour is wrong on them and they hit the shallower 68 7" rims. There may be a patent on the GM design of the trim rings? Lou.
The problem that people have is buying the cheaper multiple clip aftermarket trim rings that some dummy designed with the wrong shape. The contour is wrong on them and they hit the shallower 68 7" rims. There may be a patent on the GM design of the trim rings? Lou.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I think that I found out that information on this forum, in the past. Luckily, I saw it before I bought new trim rings about three years ago. It is very tempting to want to buy the less expensive aftermarket ones that are easier to put on. They just won't fit a 68 wheel. Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Jan 7, 2016 at 06:24 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
SUPPOSEDLY...the early 68s(pre Jan 68) may have had a different cap. As I understand it the outside edge differed on the "ridge". Allegedly the early caps had issues with denting the "ridge" during installation so GM added a reinforcing "rib" just inboard of the "ridge" to strengthen it.
Keep in mind I read this on the NCRS forum and have seen pics to confirm it.
Keep in mind I read this on the NCRS forum and have seen pics to confirm it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
ahhhhh, I knew it..
SUPPOSEDLY...the early 68s(pre Jan 68) may have had a different cap. As I understand it the outside edge differed on the "ridge". Allegedly the early caps had issues with denting the "ridge" during installation so GM added a reinforcing "rib" just inboard of the "ridge" to strengthen it.
Keep in mind I read this on the NCRS forum and have seen pics to confirm it.
Keep in mind I read this on the NCRS forum and have seen pics to confirm it.
dugs , this is the exact same info I have read some where , but couldn't remember where I had seen it .
Would love to compare the photos of the two, to see if I have originals , or replacements . Marty.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
Marty,
While I dont have a pic of a early 68 center cap I do have a pic of a aftermarket cap that I believe is shaped similar to alleged early 68 cap.
Heres a couple of pics, one of a OEM one and one of a aftermarket, notice the difference just inboard of the ridge.
Keep in mind this NOT a early 68 cap so these pics in no way prove or disprove whether or not the early 68 caps even existed. First pic is the OEM, second is the aftermarket.
While I dont have a pic of a early 68 center cap I do have a pic of a aftermarket cap that I believe is shaped similar to alleged early 68 cap.
Heres a couple of pics, one of a OEM one and one of a aftermarket, notice the difference just inboard of the ridge.
Keep in mind this NOT a early 68 cap so these pics in no way prove or disprove whether or not the early 68 caps even existed. First pic is the OEM, second is the aftermarket.
Last edited by dugsgms74; Jan 10, 2016 at 05:01 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Thanks Dugs
Hey Dugs , thanks for the photos, I do apologize for the late reply , 13 months to be exact, but have been out of the scene for a while , and have only now relogged back in, and found your reply.
Im currently going through a stack of wheel centre caps in order to sell off a few I dont need, and are obviously wanting to keep the best 4 originals for my car, however Im having trouble working out what's original and what's aftermarket.
All of them have some age on their side so they are in varying degrees of condition.
But the big question is what markings should the pot metal hat have inside it if its a genuine 68 cap.. most of them have a cast number 3925805 which I assume is right, however I'm guessing even the repops could still have that.
And some of them also have "Canada" written which im not sure if they would have been made there..?
Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks Marty.....
Im currently going through a stack of wheel centre caps in order to sell off a few I dont need, and are obviously wanting to keep the best 4 originals for my car, however Im having trouble working out what's original and what's aftermarket.
All of them have some age on their side so they are in varying degrees of condition.
But the big question is what markings should the pot metal hat have inside it if its a genuine 68 cap.. most of them have a cast number 3925805 which I assume is right, however I'm guessing even the repops could still have that.
And some of them also have "Canada" written which im not sure if they would have been made there..?
Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks Marty.....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
Marty, I can only tell you what I believe to be true from what I can tell from the caps I have. I have around 15 caps, some repro and some GM. My repro caps don't have the part# on them, all the GM ones have the part#, some have "Canada" on them some don't. It seems to be that the ones with "Canada" on them are nicer/newer looking so I'm guessing(and its only a guess) that they may be over the counter replacements.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,330
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
The four original center caps from my 71 have 'Canada' cast into their inner surface.
Regards,
Alan
All four have the HB in the pennant, three have the 1, while one has a 2. (Mold number?)
The four original center caps from my 71 have 'Canada' cast into their inner surface.
Regards,
Alan
All four have the HB in the pennant, three have the 1, while one has a 2. (Mold number?)