Wheel spinner and gas lid reproduction question

[Christopher A.]

Im looking for a set of 1966 reproduction wheel spinners, but all i can find is foreign made units. I few years ago i remember that the GM units were still available, but that doesnt appear to be the case anymore. Are the other repros acceptable for NCRS judging or are they no good?
Also, do the reproduction gas lids(not gas cap) pass inspection or should i restore my original?
Thanks

[John H.]

Re: Wheel spinner and gas lid reproduction question

Christopher -

Parts are judged for originality based on the degree to which they deviate from typical factory production parts in terms of finish, date, installation, configuration, and completeness; reproductions will get deductions on that basis (not just because they're reproductions). There are visible differences (to a judge) on the spinners and the gas lid, so they will most likely get minor deductions.

The judging process is explained in detail in the "Corvette Judging Reference Guide", available from the NCRS on-line store (button at the top of the page); you need that in addition to the 1966 TIM&JG in order to understand the process.

[Joe L.]

Re: Wheel spinner and gas lid reproduction question

Im looking for a set of 1966 reproduction wheel spinners, but all i can find is foreign made units. I few years ago i remember that the GM units were still available, but that doesnt appear to be the case anymore. Are the other repros acceptable for NCRS judging or are they no good?
Also, do the reproduction gas lids(not gas cap) pass inspection or should i restore my original?
Thanks

Christopher-----


The 1966 wheel cover ornament ("spinner"), GM #3876544, has not been available from GM for about 40 years. It was replaced by a non-spinner type ornament, GM #3964515, for "safety" reasons.

Here's an interesting bit of Corvette parts trivia: GM never officially superceded the GM #3876544 with the GM #3964515 nor did they ever officially discontinue the 3876544. The GM #3876544 just "disappeared" from the GM parts system in mid-1969 and the GM #3964515 coincidentally "appeared". I expect they did this because the parts were so different that they didn't want to call the 3964515 a "direct replacement" for the 3876544. However, the effect of what they did remained the same. Imagine what a Corvette owner buying a replacement spinner for one or two of his 1966 wheel covers after about mid 1969 would have thought when he asked for a replacement at his Chevrolet dealer, the partsman looked it up and delivered an ornament that was completely different than the ornaments on his original wheel covers.

[Jeff S.]

Re: Wheel spinner and gas lid reproduction question

The repro spinners are identical in every way to their OEM counterparts -- even down to the part numbers and logos cast into the blades. Whoever & where-ever this repro die casting is being done, it is certainly with the original die set. The stamped mild steel cup that holds/covers the crossed flag ornament on the repro has the letters "P" and "R" stamped near the center. Paragon Reproductions, perhaps? This is the only difference I could detect, and of course it's not visible without disassembling the wheel cover. I'm not a judge, but the one's I acquired are very high quality parts. The three attaching points come in the form of blind holes on three bosses, so you'll need the original or equivalent self-threading machine screw to cut the female threads during installation.

The fuel door emblem reproduced by Trim Parts (?) is also very nice piece. However, I purchased mine 15+ years ago & I'm not sure what's available now. At that time you could request either a black or a white "upper left" color pattern on the checkered flag. Installation is a little tricky, in that an alternate method of securing things back together must be used in place of the original peened-over die cast posts.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Wheel spinner and gas lid reproduction question

The (1966) repro spinners are identical in every way to their OEM counterparts -- even down to the part numbers and logos cast into the blades. Whoever & where-ever this repro die casting is being done, it is certainly with the original die set. ....

Jeff -- I can't speak for 1966, but the 1965 spinners have NO part #s and logos cast into the three ears (which would be visible during judging, with a mirror).

Another point -- I believe all factory spinnner emblems for '65 and '66 were the same; ie. with checkered flag having black squares in upper left and lower right. Several repro sources have white squares, or give you the "option" .

[Gary B.]

Wheel spinner; are those for knockoffs?

John,

Aren't the spinners you show in your photos ones for knockoffs? I thought the initial questioner was asking about spinners for '66 steel wheel w/ hupcaps.

Gary

[John H.]

Re: Wheel spinner; are those for knockoffs?

John,

Aren't the spinners you show in your photos ones for knockoffs? I thought the initial questioner was asking about spinners for '66 steel wheel w/ hupcaps.

Gary

Gary -

Oops! Re-reading his post, that's exactly what he was asking about; I guess I'm conditioned to "spinner" questions being associated with KO wheels.

I deleted the post with the repro KO spinner photo, to minimize the confusion.