69-72 PO3 Hub Caps - were these ever really chrome?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Here’s another anecdote re cap painting: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=247

Wow those turned out beautiful. The blue looks dead-on to me or close enough. What a great source, thank you.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Some manufacturing plants started using chromed over steel in '73 and possibly some late '72's. There are very strong and very shiny and very rare.

Here is one of those rare '73 chrome over steel hubcaps. Not mine. Yes, they are getting pricey.https://www.ebay.com/itm/29604324231...Bk9SR4Kj9t_4Yg Most all gold bowtie '73-'75 caps are stainless, and just don't shine the same way as the rare chrome version.

[chevmn]

My experience with old cars and trucks, and in this case hubcaps has taught me to never say "they never made.....(insert phrase here)". Buying, swapping and selling I have seen about every combination above, and had most combinations mentioned, chrome over brass, chrome over steel and chrome over stainless, in both blue and gold bowties. But, here is an oddity, and feel free to jump in if you have ever seen one like the center cap in the photo, and what the application would be. At first glance (to me) it looked like a typical C10 cap, at least the center stamping, but looking closer it is a 12 inch diameter cap, but shallow - same depth of a 1/2 ton cap. Stainless and very much appears to have factory paint). I have placed it between a K20 and a C10 for reference in the photo. Obviously it would never work on a 3/4 ton rear axle nor a "normal" 1/2 ton wheel. I know it is difficult to tell detail and this site does not lend itself to zooming in. Ideas?

[leddzepp]

I had a gmc cap just like that, I posted it years ago, and I took the same type of comparison photo. Someone (don’t recall who it was) said it was from a van or delivery vehicle??

[chevmn]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I had a gmc cap just like that, I posted it years ago, and I took the same type of comparison photo. Someone (don’t recall who it was) said it was from a van or delivery vehicle??

That had crossed my mind, and makes perfect sense considering those may have had a different drivetrain.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Here is one of those rare '73 chrome over steel hubcaps. Not mine. Yes, they are getting pricey.https://www.ebay.com/itm/29604324231...Bk9SR4Kj9t_4Yg Most all gold bowtie '73-'75 caps are stainless, and just don't shine the same way as the rare chrome version.

Nicest looking finish of all - for a while

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by chevmn

But, here is an oddity, and feel free to jump in if you have ever seen one like the center cap in the photo, and what the application would be.

First issue '69 3/4 cap. Mainly used on front, but could be used on rear with non spicer axle.