1968 P03 hubcaps

[ThreeQuarter]

I’m looking into my options for hubcaps on the ‘68 C10. My favorite option is to have P03 chrome dog dish hubcaps like came on it. Unfortunately my PO3s are in pretty rough shape and have some cracks in the beads. I’m not sure if they are restorable.

Does anybody have experience trying to restore these caps?

What metal are they made of? Mine have been exposed to all kinds of moisture and sun, but have NO rust inside or out. And there’s only a hint of magnetism. So, a chrome-plated stainless alloy?

[ThreeQuarter]

Still looking for advice from someone with experience with restoring hubcaps.

[Jason Banks]

I can't really help you on the restoration...but I think they are chrome plated brass and not stainless. The painted ones are steel.

This sounds crazy even to mention...but I wonder if a paintless dent repair person could straighten most of that out?

[Hutch]

Those hubcaps are fairly common
I have seen those at alot of swap meets usually one or two in the set is faded on the black paint and missing some of the fake lug nuts
The 68 gmc looked the same just gmc replacing the bowtie with gmc
You should be able to find a set at resonable price
I have heard that the full disc hub caps like to take flight if not secured
I myself prefer the smaller poverty caps that were either painted or chrome\stainless

[ThreeQuarter]

Jason, thanks for the reply. I am honestly stumped on the material. I thought I would see some yellow inside the hubcap if it was brass, but I don’t see any. And thanks for the idea about a paintless dent repair guy—it’s worth a shot to ask one.

Hutch, I think you’re thinking about P01 hubcaps. The P03 caps are the dog dish/poverty style, no fake lug nuts, pretty hard to find. I prefer them too. They seem to go well with the rest of the 67-68 design.

[special-K]

I don't understand why someone doesn't set up to stamp out these simple parts that are so high in demand. When you look at some of the things reproduced, like transmission humps or glovebox doors, it makes you wonder. And Wheel Vintiques makes the stock to wide wheels to go with them. And 'some' repro hubcaps are made, so why not these?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by special-K

I don't understand why someone doesn't set up to stamp out these simple parts that are so high in demand. When you look at some of the things reproduced, like transmission humps or glovebox doors, it makes you wonder. And Wheel Vintiques makes the stock to wide wheels to go with them. And 'some' repro hubcaps are made, so why not these?

As for the re-pops that are made, they're easy to get but seriously lack quality (look fine but they're thin just like a lot of re-pop sheet-metal).

I have multiple sets of the OE 67/68 dog-dish/poverty caps as well as the later 81-87 style. The aftermarket 64-66/truck & chevelle caps I've used can/will dent just trying to pop them on compared to the original truck caps I have. I've been messing w/poverty caps for many years so I'm not a novice when it comes to their installation requirements. That would be the No.1 reason why I would buy originals if you can find them even if re-pops were offered.

[special-K]

The same can be said for about anything reproduced. Doesn't stop any of it from being made or used. I'm big on using OEM as well, but repro gives a necessary alternative

[Jason Banks]

I wonder if anyone has sent some of the painted steel caps out to be chromed? I have a pretty nice set, as far as dents. They would be 'patina' caps unless something is done to them.