What to do about not-reproduced 1966 GMC hubcaps

[55-72 GM trucks]

As much as we all like to gripe when aftermarket suppliers make a part we desperately need only to find it doesn't fit, or is a cheap clone of what we really wanted, there's the aggravation of finding all that other stuff we need that they don't make at all.
When I started in this hobby as a young man 30 yrs ago, I was a 64-66 C10 short bed pickup fan all the way. No ugly knee-knockers, no weird Suburbans or panels, and certainly no also ugly GMC's for me. I honestly don't remember when it all clicked, but gradually as time went on I ended up deciding the knee knocker 60-61 apaches were actually real hidden gems that would one day be seen as not only beautiful, but appreciated as far rarer and more treasured than common 64-66 C10's they made a million of, and that any GMC's at roughly 25% of Chevrolet production figures year over year from 60-66 would always be rarer than Chevy trucks for that simple production difference alone, not to mention how few escaped the crusher between then and now, so the quirky differences between GMC and Chevrolet began to grow on me. I ended up collecting about 10-12 trucks all together, and 4 are 60-62 Apaches and early GMC knee knockers and 2 are 66 Chevys, but the one that kept eluding me was the "Sport Custom" 66 GMC which was a one year only option package which included Charcoal dash top paint, charcoal vinyl door panel covers and matching molded charcoal armrests, charcoal carpeting, and one year only two-tone Charcoal vinyl covered bucket seats. I found about 5 of these rare trucks over my many years but all were dismantled or longbeds and I was only going to be in for a short bed. Finally, last week I found a factory Red and White short bed 66 GMC with the bucket seat interior and bought it. Can't believe it actually. So, knowing the limited number of hoarded NOS and nice less dented original 66 GMC hubcaps left on the planet, I figure if I start spreading the word through all of you now, by the time the truck is coming out of the paint booth I should have a set LOL. Truck has to have chrome ones but I will be buying white and chroming unless I score on a hoarded set someone finds for me.
Any leads on these are appreciated, and I will post more on the truck itself after I retrieve it from out of state in the coming few weeks. Let me know if you find any of these caps or have one on your garage wall etc - Thank you for reading! Steve

[factorystock]

Congratulations of finding a 66 GMC sports cab, a rare piece of GMC history, true, they are elusive and difficult to find in decent condition and the hubcaps are no different. The '66 cap has reinforcement ridges, while the similar looking '64 and '65 do not. The caps in previous photos are correct for '66. Not a metal person, but wonder if it is it possible to cut out a nice chrome GMC center out of a used cap and glue it on to the center of reproduced chrome Chevy cap? Finding a NOS set today is almost impossible, most dealership parts depts. back in the day usually ordered one at a time for a customer, and if the customer didn't show up to claim his cap, it sat on the shelf, not worth the shipping cost to return it to the GM parts depot.

[MusicMan70]

So, are these knub type or clip-type?

I just went through 60-66's Hubcap Thread and saw the Chevy caps as either/or.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...=hubcap+thread

Would love to see a pic of that 1966 SB GMC Sport you snagged.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

So, are these knub type or clip-type?

Good point MusicMan70, never buy any '62 thru '68 hubcap without knowing the measurement of the back side ring opening.

[55-72 GM trucks]

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

So, are these knub type or clip-type?

I just went through 60-66's Hubcap Thread and saw the Chevy caps as either/or.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...=hubcap+thread

Would love to see a pic of that 1966 SB GMC Sport you snagged.

I would take either / or if I knew I could get all four. Problem buying the clip type for 1/2 tons is there are virtually none of those left so if you buy a single could take even longer to acquire the other 3. Don't know what to do yet.

[55-72 GM trucks]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Good point MusicMan70, never buy any '62 thru '68 hubcap without knowing the measurement of the back side ring opening.

I've trained my eye to tell one from the other so no issues buying the wrong ones. Incidentally, I do have a full set of NOS chrome 66 GMC caps but they are for 3/4 and 1 tons. Another option may be to have the wheelsmith make custom stock-looking 6" wide rims that will accept the 3/4 ton caps. They can do that sort of thing I hear

[55-72 GM trucks]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Congratulations of finding a 66 GMC sports cab, a rare piece of GMC history, true, they are elusive and difficult to find in decent condition and the hubcaps are no different. The '66 cap has reinforcement ridges, while the similar looking '64 and '65 do not. The caps in previous photos are correct for '66. Not a metal person, but wonder if it is it possible to cut out a nice chrome GMC center out of a used cap and glue it on to the center of reproduced chrome Chevy cap? Finding a NOS set today is almost impossible, most dealership parts depts. back in the day usually ordered one at a time for a customer, and if the customer didn't show up to claim his cap, it sat on the shelf, not worth the shipping cost to return it to the GM parts depot.

I was going to make a separate post related to the Sport Custom option and see who, if anyone among all the members of this site owns a truck with them

[55-72 GM trucks]

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

So, are these knub type or clip-type?

Would love to see a pic of that 1966 SB GMC Sport you snagged.

She is what she is - barely still surviving but that was long enough for me to find it and I will resurrect it one way or another

[joesscamaro]

I think that's definitely worthy of saving. I don't know if that paint scheme (white around the windows and bedside) was a specific option or not, but I've always liked the way it looked.

[55-72 GM trucks]

Originally Posted by joesscamaro

I think that's definitely worthy of saving. I don't know if that paint scheme (white around the windows and bedside) was a specific option or not, but I've always liked the way it looked.

Thank you - the white on the top edge of the fleetside bed and white inside the aluminum trim around the windows is part of the two tone paint scheme for Custom trucks. Slightly different for “Deluxe” or plain jane trucks.
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[Old65C10]

Originally Posted by 55-72 GM trucks

She is what she is - barely still surviving but that was long enough for me to find it and I will resurrect it one way or another

I love it, that truck is way too cool and unique to not be restored. I look forward to seeing more on it.

[55-72 GM trucks]

Originally Posted by Old65C10

I love it, that truck is way too cool and unique to not be restored. I look forward to seeing more on it.

Thank you for the confidence booster! its going to need a LOT of love but I will start gathering parts and before you know it she'll be in the paint booth

[factorystock]

Here is a good thread which helps how GMC painted their trucks. Pontiac Mich assembly plant had a slightly different way of painting firewalls and rear inner wheel tubs.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...y+plant+photos

[karlbenz]

got some for a 3/4 ton

[factorystock]

Many hubcaps on ebay are mis labeled as 3/4 tons when they are actually 1/2 tons. The culprit is the 6 lug wheel that used clips that most sellers aren't aware of. IF the back side opening measures approx 7 5/8", they are not 3/4 ton caps. Most all 1/2 ton owners looking for caps are looking for the 10 1/4" back side opening for regular bump type wheels.

[karlbenz]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Many hubcaps on ebay are mis labeled as 3/4 tons when they are actually 1/2 tons. The culprit is the 6 lug wheel that used clips that most sellers aren't aware of. IF the back side opening measures approx 7 5/8", they are not 3/4 ton caps. Most all 1/2 ton owners looking for caps are looking for the 10 1/4" back side opening for regular bump type wheels.

Mine are still on the 3/4 ton truck

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by karlbenz

Mine are still on the 3/4 ton truck

Your signature says '64 GMC K 10. Assume you have another GMC not listed?

[karlbenz]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Your signature says '64 GMC K 10. Assume you have another GMC not listed?

Yeah. I have a 66 for parts. Never added it to my signature
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