Found a nice set of 1968 PO1 Bright Wheel Covers - Value?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
Found a nice set of 1968 PO1 Bright Wheel Covers - Value?
Hello all, I had ordered a set of PO2's the other day and thought they looked a little different in the photos than your average PO2. When I opened the box and went through them, it turns out they are a set of the 1968-only PO1 bright wheel covers, which were the early versions of the PO2 most of us know. The wheel center and finned portions are different than the 69'-up PO2's. I had a hard time finding any photos online. These don't come around often - I've never seen a set of four either for sale or on a car. I'll likely end up selling them since my car is a '70, but wanted to get people's thoughts on value first. This is not a for sale thread, and any thoughts or guidance is appreciated!
Here's all four:
Top view:
Pointed fins / Narrow center cap = PO1
Comparison to Caprice / Impala cap (before people think these are full-side caps)
Here's all four:
Top view:
Pointed fins / Narrow center cap = PO1
Comparison to Caprice / Impala cap (before people think these are full-side caps)
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 129
Jason
I'm not of the opinion that what separates PO1 vs. PO2 wheel covers is how the fins end at the center section as the latest NCRS Judging Guide calls out. A vast majority of the 68 Corvettes were produced with the square end fins from what I have seen. It seems only very early cars had the pointed end fins. I think the change in fin end style was just a running change to production in 1968. Why the switch from calling them PO1 in 68 to PO2 in 69 I have no idea.
Below is a picture of the original PO1 wheel cover of my April 68 production car.
You do have some interesting center caps. I don't think I've seen them like that before. The center section doesn't stick out as far as what I've seen on both the pointed and square finned caps. Even the NCRS JG which has a picture to illustrate what they think distinguishes PO1 vs. PO2 doesn't show the style of center cap style you have on your wheel.
John
I'm not of the opinion that what separates PO1 vs. PO2 wheel covers is how the fins end at the center section as the latest NCRS Judging Guide calls out. A vast majority of the 68 Corvettes were produced with the square end fins from what I have seen. It seems only very early cars had the pointed end fins. I think the change in fin end style was just a running change to production in 1968. Why the switch from calling them PO1 in 68 to PO2 in 69 I have no idea.
Below is a picture of the original PO1 wheel cover of my April 68 production car.
You do have some interesting center caps. I don't think I've seen them like that before. The center section doesn't stick out as far as what I've seen on both the pointed and square finned caps. Even the NCRS JG which has a picture to illustrate what they think distinguishes PO1 vs. PO2 doesn't show the style of center cap style you have on your wheel.
John
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
Thanks for the reply, yours definitely looks like the later style. From the research I've done, the caps with the shorter centers and pointed fins are what most people consider PO1's. I don't doubt there were rolling changes during the year as production continued. Any idea on value for these? I have never seen a set for sale before and these are actually in very good condition.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Thanks for the reply, yours definitely looks like the later style. From the research I've done, the caps with the shorter centers and pointed fins are what most people consider PO1's. I don't doubt there were rolling changes during the year as production continued. Any idea on value for these? I have never seen a set for sale before and these are actually in very good condition.
As JC68 mentioned, the only difference between a P01 and P02 cap ( in the JG) is the pointed fins and slight ridge on the P01. I also agree that many 68s came from the factory with the later squared off version. Having said that after looking at your pictures closely, I do not think your caps are correct for a Corvette. I am not sure what they went on honestly but the center cap is too short. I have a set of P01 caps, including one that is NOS. I will try to post up some pictures.
Last edited by avalonjohn; Aug 30, 2015 at 10:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
Hi Jason,
As JC68 mentioned, the only difference between a P01 and P02 cap ( in the JG) is the pointed fins and slight ridge on the P01. I also agree that many 68s came from the factory with the later squared off version. Having said that after looking at your pictures closely, I do not think your caps are correct for a Corvette. I am not sure what they went on honestly but the center cap is too short. I have a set of P01 caps, including one that is NOS. I will try to post up some pictures.
As JC68 mentioned, the only difference between a P01 and P02 cap ( in the JG) is the pointed fins and slight ridge on the P01. I also agree that many 68s came from the factory with the later squared off version. Having said that after looking at your pictures closely, I do not think your caps are correct for a Corvette. I am not sure what they went on honestly but the center cap is too short. I have a set of P01 caps, including one that is NOS. I will try to post up some pictures.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
I disagree that these are not PO1 Corvette caps as multiple threads here and on the NCRS forums mention the shorter center caps. Again changes throughout the year probably explain the differences to other caps. Also I would think that I an NOS PO1 would have the later style center caps as the early centers would've already been put on cars. I had an NOS P01 as well with the taller center.
I've never heard anything anywhere (here or NCRS) that discusses shorter caps on Corvettes but I would like to read them. Regardless of what yours originally came on, they are in very nice shape.
Last edited by avalonjohn; Aug 30, 2015 at 11:01 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 129
Thanks for the reply, yours definitely looks like the later style. From the research I've done, the caps with the shorter centers and pointed fins are what most people consider PO1's. I don't doubt there were rolling changes during the year as production continued. Any idea on value for these? I have never seen a set for sale before and these are actually in very good condition.
I don't think if you believe the center caps you have are or are not the PO1 style used on Corvettes should effect value much. They can easily be changed.
John
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 359
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
John (JC68) has a great idea. Switch out the center caps and sell them that way. I would think you could get upwards of a 1k for them if you do. My personal opinion is that you may have an uphill battle trying to sell those, as they are now, as 68 P01's. A 68 purist looking for a set of P01s, spending that kind of money, will likely want the taller centers.
Good luck with the sale! They are nice!
Good luck with the sale! They are nice!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
I took apart the caps looking for a part number, and came across this:
The centers aren't really removeable. And certainly not interchangeable.
A few things about these:
They have the shorter center, as mentioned being PO1 specific.
They have the shorter fin going to the valve stem (this fin on PO2 hubcaps is longer)
And they are 15" hubcaps with the corvette center emblem. I'm still of the opinion that they are early PO1 caps. There isn't really a large enough database of info for us to know everything about these. Much of what you read online is conflicting as well, and even the NCRS judging guides miss it when it comes to pointed fins vs. straight.
The centers aren't really removeable. And certainly not interchangeable.
A few things about these:
They have the shorter center, as mentioned being PO1 specific.
They have the shorter fin going to the valve stem (this fin on PO2 hubcaps is longer)
And they are 15" hubcaps with the corvette center emblem. I'm still of the opinion that they are early PO1 caps. There isn't really a large enough database of info for us to know everything about these. Much of what you read online is conflicting as well, and even the NCRS judging guides miss it when it comes to pointed fins vs. straight.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
I disagree- These do not match the description of any known passenger car caps, and I posted a picture of the passenger car center for comparison already. They do however match all of the descriptors for a PO1. I'll post over on the NCRS forum to see if I can get some more information.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 383
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte NC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,800
Likes: 1,943
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
