MD Nos 3/4 ton hub caps WTT for NOS Black steering wheel

[72 Super]

Mel, sorry it was a typo, they are #3963096

[Critterman71]

Guys being in the business for 25 years myself and my father worked for GM for 30+ years it is very possible that the caps are correct either way and have the same part numbers although it does not happen a lot there are several parts we have seen over the years and even still today at GM and I am sure other manufacturers as well where this happens slight differences in parts and same part numbers. For instance there was an issue with tooling (something broke and took a while to fix) they could have went back to earlier tooling to make the cap or the tool was unfixable cost wise they would have used what they had available and painted them the same in this case I think the the concave style is the latter style but may have been a service replacement for those earlier caps and would be concurs correct with the part number. There is even another scenario. Back then GM made there own parts and there were differences sometimes between tools and what plant they shipped them to. Flint may have used con-vexed and Fremont may have had concave although rare this has been found to happen many times and on many types of parts so guys don't worry about the differences I think you both have awesome caps and should be proud to put them on any truck deserving a NOS set of caps. I am just jealous I don't have a set for my truck. Hope this sheds a little light on the possibilities but with 55 + years working for and restoring GM cars I have seen this happen more than a couple of times. Nice stuff guys keep trucking

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by Critterman71

Flint may have used con-vexed and Fremont may have had concave although rare this has been found to happen many times and on many types of parts so guys don't worry about the differences

Critter, while also being around these trucks and parts for a bit now it has always been my belief that all 72 and prior 3/4 ton trucks w/bright caps left the factory with the convex/bulging outward style no matter what factory they left from, but I have been wrong before. On the part about not worrying about the differences, I know alot of guys wouldn't care either way but with the cost involved nowadays spent acquiring these rare NOS parts it should be disclosed if the caps are orignal or later style repainted concave pieces. There is some difference in the rarity and value of each type, and the guy shopping for NOS pieces for that deserving type of truck build would want to know up front. I have a full set of the later yellow bowtie 12" 3/4 ton NOS in the GM boxes available, and I value them at $400. less than a full set of the earlier NOS 3/4 ton blue bowtie set. Mel

[too much stuff]

Would the changeover come when they switched from the chrome to stainless? I have a yellow bowtie cap in chrome that is the only one i have seen. Otherwise all the yellow caps i have seen have been stainless and all the blues i have seen were chrome.
72 super, are your caps chrome?

[72 Super]

Eric(Toomuchstuff) My caps certainly look Chrome to me. I have never compared 3/4 ton caps before, but too me the Blue bow tie looks factory, I can't see where it has been painted over Yellow anywhere.

This is interesting though.

Here are a few more pictures for discussion. I tried to get some close ups, but the reflection is terrible.

[too much stuff]

They appear chrome to me. Interesting...

[Critterman71]

Classic bowties I agree with you that the 72 and prior came from the factory with the convex caps, but the for instances I gave can and have been found to be true in service parts and there have been anomalies from plant to plant parts before and still are today all be it fewer it still happens. What you say a bout rarity is certainly true my comments were only put out there to help people realize some of things that are out there and have been done in the last 60+ years in manufacturing. I have seen people pour many tens of thousands of dollars and years of time in research to do Restorations of vehicles and take them to be certified correct and have their harts ripped out because some one that is judging says if it is not like this it is NOT and CANT be correct only to prove those people wrong with detailed research and tons of data to support why they did what they did to be correct. If those hub caps have the same part number there is a reason why that they do I would have to do some looking into it but you can bet that they would be acceptable and correct in a judged show because of that. With that said the convexed caps being more rare because of length of production and attrition they still would command the premium for sure over the concave caps that might be the only replacements made once the convex stock was exhausted as parts back then had to be available for 7-10 years from the OE manufacturer.

[Critterman71]

Also if any one has any interest in getting rid of a set of either type I need a set for my 71 Longhorn NOS is great but I would consider a near NOS or a refurbed set as this truck is not going to be a 100 pointer but a top notch driver to pull my vintage Airstream.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by 72 Super

Mel, I would be interested in your horn button, if you want to sell it? Thanks, Ray

Ray, below are the pictures of the NOS black 69-72 horn button, cost would be $125. plus $11. for USPS priority insured shipping. If interested, send me an e-mail address and I will send you a direct invoice through paypal.

Originally Posted by Critterman71

Also if any one has any interest in getting rid of a set of either type I need a set for my 71 Longhorn NOS is great but I would consider a near NOS or a refurbed set

Critter, as I said above in post #28, I have an NOS full set of the stainless 3/4 ton 12" yellow bowties available, all of them are still in their original GM boxes yet and cost would be $600. on the set. Mel

[Critterman71]

Mel As you stated in post #28 (There is some difference in the rarity and value of each type, and the guy shopping for NOS pieces for that deserving type of truck build would want to know up front. I have a full set of the later yellow bowtie 12" 3/4 ton NOS in the GM boxes available, and I value them at $400. less than a full set of the earlier NOS 3/4 ton blue bowtie set. Mel ) So which is it 400.00 or 600.00 for the set. I am interested in the set, but would prefer a blue set but if that is all that you are willing to part with that will work as there are no other NOS caps out there currently. LMK

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by Critterman71

Mel As you stated in post #28 (There is some difference in the rarity and value of each type, and the guy shopping for NOS pieces for that deserving type of truck build would want to know up front. I have a full set of the later yellow bowtie 12" 3/4 ton NOS in the GM boxes available, and I value them at $400. less than a full set of the earlier NOS 3/4 ton blue bowtie set. Mel ) So which is it 400.00 or 600.00 for the set. I am interested in the set, but would prefer a blue set but if that is all that you are willing to part with that will work as there are no other NOS caps out there currently. LMK

Critter, see the above quote in BOLD: I value the later NOS 3/4 ton yellow bowtie full sets at $400. less than an NOS set of early 3/4 ton blue bowtie sets, which are worth $1000. So if you take $400. away from $1000., you then get the $600. figure I posted in the above post #34. Mel

[Joesjunk]

Here is a close up of an NOS one I have. The blue paint should look sprayed on, as in the edges are not crisp masked off looking. I hope you can tell in this pic.

[Critterman71]

Mel The way it reads is miss leading with the period after the 400 It looks as if you value them at 400.00 Yellow bowties and the blue ones would be more. I will pass on your caps for now thanks for the clarification.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by Critterman71

Mel The way it reads is miss leading with the period after the 400 It looks as if you value them at 400.00 Yellow bowties and the blue ones would be more. I will pass on your caps for now thanks for the clarification.

No problem, not tryng to mislead anyone. When they were first offered to you in post #34 it clearly said $600. Mel

[Critterman71]

Mel I dont think it was intentional by any means but in Post #34 it did say 600 I just wanted clarification versus post #28 were the value of 400 came up I understand now.

Also I have done some checking into the issue. I spoke to some people that were working in the Flint truck plant and Pontiac truck plants back in the era and explained the situation with the caps and it was a consensus that it was more than likely a service replacement after the stock of convex caps were gone. But I was also told that GM would have never shut down an assembly line for anything back then and different parts were used to keep the line going. It was a regular occurance but it was something that was did happen if any one would like more info on some of the practices and procedures of manufacturing back then and now feel free to PM me a phone number or email address and I would be happy to shed light on the subject as I have been in the business either for the company for 30+ years and indirectly for the better part of 20 years plus my son has done this as well. Building parts and cars/truck was not always perfect as most have never been involved in large scale manufacturing like that.

[wrwelton]

I have a 72 4x4 and looking for the stock hubcaps?

[blackhawkip]

Did you end up selling your 3/4 NOS hubcaps?