Has anyone ever investigated having the 68 Shelby polished wheel cover rings reverse engineered / reproduced? Is there enough interest in having new rings
reproduced?
Don
gt350bp
I recall that Scott Fuller gave full wheel covers some thought (or maybe it was others thought he should?). Seems like it was a cost feasibility issue? Correct parts cost money, let's face it.
Hey Don, I believe I sold you one of my sets of wheel covers?
Take into consideration the stainless pie plates can be restored, that reduces the pool.
Eddie,
Good morning!
I did get a nice set of wheel covers from you. Just wanted to investigate if anyone ever thought of trying to get new stainless steel rings made before I try to find someone to restore the originals.
Does anyone restore the stainless trim rings on this site or have a recommendation?
Thank you.
Don
gt350bp
Tim Lea did mine and they turned out beautiful. Tim is an the Forum. He does not do the work himself but he has a guy. Highly recommend Tim.
Corey
Thanks Corey!
I have talked to Tim in the past. Will give him a shout.
Don
gt350bp
I looked into having them reproduced a while ago and once they saw the sample they weren't interested. Wouldn't even give me a quote.
Scott
I've used a few stamping companies for the former business I was in and with the 3D printing and digitized measuring and die making, I thought it might be worth investigating?
There are a number of stainless steel stamping companies that advertised as small batch specialists. Sure would be nice to have new rings to install the cast spokes too!
Don
gt350bp
Is there an accurate list of cars that use the same basic assembly? I think some MoPars use them. I found this picture of me and my '70 XL from '71 (ish) and it looks to have the type we are discussing. Many XL's used the truck type,but this appears to use Shelby type......
(That XL was my tow car for a drag car I ran. 429 4V was no slouch.)
This picture is 50 years old....I look the same ;)
The wheel covers were made by Garwood Industries. The center cast portion is unique to 1968 Shelby, although some others are similar. The pie plates were used on other Ford products and possibly other makes as well. The issue is finding 15" versions, it was not that common.
So,if I could convince my helper to reproduce 100 parts,would it be better to make centers or outer rings?
I would prefer to have the outer stainless steel rings, as they typically have curb rash or dented from rubber mallets when installing.
Don
gt350bp
Trust me. Good centers a lot harder to find than restorable dishes
As far as what fits Pete is correct that the Shelby uses a unique center. Most others Chrysler, Buick and olds were 14". Interestingly enough the centers all interchange whether the cover is a 14 inch or 15 inch
Finally pulled out the four 68 Shelby hubcaps I bought and find that three are painted in the reveal area next to the center emblem and one is polished chrome. Just want to confirm that they should be painted a medium charcoal in the reveal area adjacent to the emblem?
I like the chrome look better, but one of the center castings I have has some corrosion pitting, so the paint would hide this better. Pulled all four apart and they are a complicated multi-piece stamped stainless ring and friction ring that I assume is crimped while being manufactured. I can see why nobody would be interested in stamping these!
Have been experimenting with detailing and painting the cast center hub and find that a 1" diameter gasket cutter covers the simulate lug nuts and washers. (Same could be accomplished with a 1" O.D. plastic pipe, reamed and beveled to fit snuggly on the simulated lug nuts to prevent paint overspray.) I know the concourse method is to leave a trapezoidal area around the lug nut unpainted, but I think since my wheel covers are driver quality, I'm going to paint around the lug nut and washers?
What is the best method to remove the old center emblems? Is there a good release agent that will only affect the adhesive and not ruin the emblem itself?
All input is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Don
gt350bp
There are three painted colors on the hubcap. The recessed border around the emblem is also painted, the gray metallic color.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/8-270920110256.jpeg)
Quote from: TLea on September 22, 2020, 06:54:43 PM
Trust me. Good centers a lot harder to find than restorable dishes
So true
FYI. Used Xylene to soften and remove the wheel emblem. Took about 20 minutes for the Xylene to soften the adhesive if trying to save the original emblems.
Xylene did not affect the argent or medium grey metallic original finishes.
Don
gt350bp