Painted Hubcaps - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**special-K** · 07-03-2022, 08:42 AM

How long did painted hubcaps get used? I always thought same as the bright caps, 69-75, then learned painted bumper trucks still used them a while longer. I just saw some for sale listed as 69-87. Is that right? If so, what did they come on? I know chrome bumpers became standard by the '80s and I never saw a new C, K, G, or P come with anything but bright hubcaps or optional wheel covers.

**bhc41051** · 07-03-2022, 09:20 AM

The last time they're mentioned in the vehicle information kit is 1978

factorystock · 07-03-2022, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhc41051

The last time they're mentioned in the vehicle information kit is 1978

Correct, '78 was the last year of the painted cap on base models. '75 the last year of the stainless version. IMO, '78 was
the height of the styling cycle for squaredoors.

**special-K** · 07-03-2022, 10:22 AM

Thanks for that. I was thinking maybe '78 because there were other trim changes in '79. I guess the listing I saw was a simple reversed number typo

**hooverfish** · 07-03-2022, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Thanks for that. I was thinking maybe '78 because there were other trim changes in '79. I guess the listing I saw was a simple reversed number typo

I just threw that number out there, trying to cover 69-72 plus all the squarebody trucks, even though they are not technically correct for 69-72 and some of those later years.
I need to learn the years better for these caps. Thanks

**special-K** · 07-04-2022, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooverfish

I just threw that number out there, trying to cover 69-72 plus all the squarebody trucks, even though they are not technically correct for 69-72 and some of those later years.
I need to learn the years better for these caps. Thanks

I saw your sale thread after they were sold and money had been sent. I almost asked this question there, but decided it would be in poor taste. I know you know your caps, so that's why I wondered. I figured it could be just to cast a wider net, but also wondered if you tapped in 78 backwards. Always more to learn. I'm not done yet! BTW, those sure were pretty!!

Mike80D · 07-04-2022, 08:06 AM

So, there was a painted version of this style cap on a 77-78, or did the old style carry on 2 years past the bright caps? I’m trying to think if I’ve ever seen any…but I haven’t had my coffee yet lol.

factorystock · 07-04-2022, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike80D

So, there was a painted version of this style cap on a 77-78,

No, they never came painted white. Those were the new aluminum caps introduced in '76 that replaced the stainless older style. Aluminum caps came standard on higher trim models '76-'78. After '78, those aluminum caps were used on all models thru '87 on pickups and well into the 90's on vans. After '78, aerodynamics, weight savings and efficiency was GMs top priority.

**special-K** · 07-04-2022, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike80D

So, there was a painted version of this style cap on a 77-78, or did the old style carry on 2 years past the bright caps? I’m trying to think if I’ve ever seen any…but I haven’t had my coffee yet lol.

As Factory Stock said, it was the latter. Only it was three years, 76-78.

Painted hubcap: 69-77

Chrome hubcap: 69-72

Stainless hubcap: 73-75

Aluminum hubcap: 76-91

jumpsoffrock · 07-04-2022, 07:47 PM

The story of these hubcaps is so complicated.

07-03-2022, 08:42 AM	#1
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Painted Hubcaps How long did painted hubcaps get used? I always thought same as the bright caps, 69-75, then learned painted bumper trucks still used them a while longer. I just saw some for sale listed as 69-87. Is that right? If so, what did they come on? I know chrome bumpers became standard by the '80s and I never saw a new C, K, G, or P come with anything but bright hubcaps or optional wheel covers. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-03-2022, 09:20 AM	#2
bhc41051 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Otway OH Posts: 788	Re: Painted Hubcaps The last time they're mentioned in the vehicle information kit is 1978 Attached Images

07-03-2022, 10:22 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Painted Hubcaps Thanks for that. I was thinking maybe '78 because there were other trim changes in '79. I guess the listing I saw was a simple reversed number typo __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-04-2022, 08:06 AM	#7
Mike80D Registered User Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Crab Orchard KY Posts: 282	Re: Painted Hubcaps So, there was a painted version of this style cap on a 77-78, or did the old style carry on 2 years past the bright caps? I’m trying to think if I’ve ever seen any…but I haven’t had my coffee yet lol. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/10 Highlander “Olive” 1973 C/10 Black & Tan Life’s a garden. Dig it.

07-04-2022, 07:47 PM	#10
jumpsoffrock Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: California Posts: 975	Re: Painted Hubcaps The story of these hubcaps is so complicated.



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