Are any of these caps correct for my 69 GS400?

[Andy69]

I put the 15" Corvette rallies from my Chevelle on my GS400, since the tires on my 14" Buick wheels were shot and the ones on the Chevy were brand new (and the Chevelle is currently in 10,000 pieces). I want to swap out the Chevrolet center caps for Buick caps. Every GS400 I see seems to have the 5-spoke Buick rally wheels, but my assembly manual lists 5 different wheels/caps that were available on the GS400 in 1969, but the pictures are fuzzy so it's difficult to see the details. Just wondering if anyone here can tell me if any of these are correct:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360100257592

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370101672286

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190261614822

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=330281641192

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260304111851

[LARRY70GS]

I put the 15" Corvette rallies from my Chevelle on my GS400, since the tires on my 14" Buick wheels were shot and the ones on the Chevy were brand new (and the Chevelle is currently in 10,000 pieces). I want to swap out the Chevrolet center caps for Buick caps. Every GS400 I see seems to have the 5-spoke Buick rally wheels, but my assembly manual lists 5 different wheels/caps that were available on the GS400 in 1969, but the pictures are fuzzy so it's difficult to see the details. Just wondering if anyone here can tell me if any of these are correct:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360100257592

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=370101672286

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190261614822

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=330281641192

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260304111851

Those are all wheel covers (hubcaps), not center caps. The correct center caps for the 65-70 Rallye wheels are the Ribbed center caps. The emblems varied with the year, but the 69 would have a tri shield Buick emblem on a black background, like the one I pictured in post #7 of this thread

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=99029

[Andy69]

Those are all wheel covers (hubcaps), not center caps. The correct center caps for the 65-70 Rallye wheels are the Ribbed center caps. The emblems varied with the year, but the 69 would have a tri shield Buick emblem on a black background, like the one I pictured in post #7 of this thread

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=99029

Thanks, Larry. I've got a set of those, looks like the right ones (they match the picture), for my Buick rally wheels. I'd put them on but I don't want to shell out for new tires right now, so the Buick rallies are on my Chevelle chassis.

But the assembly manual pictures 4 wheel covers or center cap/trim ring combos other than the 5-spoke rally wheel, that it says are correct for a 69 GS400. So, there apparently were full covers and center cap/trim ring combos (similar to the Corvette rally wheels) that were either available or standard with the GS. The pictures are small, and they are B&W copies, so it's hard to make out the details. I think one or more of the above auctions is a correct wheel cover (just not the 5-spoke rally) for the GS400. Maybe I'm off base here, but the page in my assembly manual looks to be a copy of original Buick literature/documentation/order form/etc.

I guess the big question is what wheels came stock on the GS350/400 in 1969 and what wheels/covers were options, and are any of the above auction links representative of those. I always assumed the 5-spoke wheels came with the GS as standard.

[LARRY70GS]

Thanks, Larry. I've got a set of those, looks like the right ones (they match the picture), for my Buick rally wheels. I'd put them on but I don't want to shell out for new tires right now, so the Buick rallies are on my Chevelle chassis.

But the assembly manual pictures 4 wheel covers or center cap/trim ring combos other than the 5-spoke rally wheel, that it says are correct for a 69 GS400. So, there apparently were full covers and center cap/trim ring combos (similar to the Corvette rally wheels) that were either available or standard with the GS. The pictures are small, and they are B&W copies, so it's hard to make out the details. I think one or more of the above auctions is a correct wheel cover (just not the 5-spoke rally) for the GS400. Maybe I'm off base here, but the page in my assembly manual looks to be a copy of original Buick literature/documentation/order form/etc.

I guess the big question is what wheels came stock on the GS350/400 in 1969 and what wheels/covers were options, and are any of the above auction links representative of those. I always assumed the 5-spoke wheels came with the GS as standard.

Got to be the first two if anything. The 3rd looks like an older Buick cover, the 4th looks like a Wildcat wheel, and the last one looks like 65-66 with the bird emblem.

[Racerx88]

For a Corvette rally wheel, what you want is number 7 in the attached image from AtlantaBuick.com

[Andy69]

That's the exact picture in my assembly manual. There is also this one, which looks similar to the first auction in my OP:

http://www.atlantabuick.com/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=34&page=view&catid=91&PageNo=1&key=1&hit=1

[54Rich]

Acourding to the Wholesale Car Order Form for the GS350 and GS400, the following were available:

1) Deluxe Wheel Cover http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=360100257592
2) Chrome Plated Wheels
3) Wire Wheel Covers - Pretty rare and pretty ulgy
4) Super Sport Wheels

You could also have the following tires:

1) Whitewall Tires 7.75 X 14
2) Fiberglass Belted Whitewall Tires F78X14
3) Oversizes Fiberglass Belted G78 X 14
4) Fiberglass Belted Red Line Tires F70 X 14

Mine came with Fiberglass belted Whitewalls F78 X 14 dual white walls (I have the orgianl spare) and Super Sport rims. Painted with rings and caps. Super Sport and Chrome plated are the same style, only one is painted and one is chrome:Dou:

Here's a picture of what I drug home a few years ago. Is that GSJohn in the picture:bla:

Rich

[Andy69]

For a Corvette rally wheel, what you want is number 7 in the attached image from AtlantaBuick.com

That would look cool. Looks like the wheel is black rather than Argent Silver.

Can you say, "scarce as hens teeth"? LOL

[LARRY70GS]

Andy,
Have you looked around on Wheel Vintiques page. They may have a center cap that you can modify with a Buick emblem.

http://wheelvintiques.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page22.html

[Racerx88]

Andy,
Have you looked around on Wheel Vintiques page. They may have a center cap that you can modify with a Buick emblem.

http://wheelvintiques.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page22.html

The regular sport wheel center caps will bolt on to the Chevy derby caps.

[Andy69]

The regular sport wheel center caps will bolt on to the Chevy derby caps.

Are they the same diameter?

Wheels Vintiques has some Buick caps that look like they will bolt to the derby caps.

I could just go with a set of basic baby moons. I kinda like those.

[Andy69]

I just had a thought, I'll bet those other wheel covers won't fit my 15 inch wheels. Stock wheels were 14" on the GS, Skylark and Sportwagon weren't they? I'm guessing the only 15" covers will be the ones for the full sized cars.

[Mike Trom]

For a Corvette rally wheel, what you want is number 7 in the attached image from AtlantaBuick.com

Even though it may be shown as an option for 1969 in the early literature you could not get those wheels in 1969. They were only availble in 1967 & 68 because the chrome rallye wheels would not clear the 4 piston disc brake calipers in those years. For 1969 the wheel/caliper were modified to clear the chrome wheels.

I have an early '69 sales lit photo that shows the "chevy" style wheel on a GS and they were painted black.

:beers2:

[Mike Trom]

I put a set on my '68 just to see what they would look like... From what I have found out, in '68 the wheels were painted body color..

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/mt1968/MT68GS012.jpg

[Andy69]

I put a set on my '68 just to see what they would look like... From what I have found out, in '68 the wheels were painted body color..

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a224/mt1968/MT68GS012.jpg

oh, hey now, those look cool, where did you get them?

[Mike Trom]

oh, hey now, those look cool, where did you get them?

In Ohio :rolleyes: :laugh:

They are factory 1968 Buick wheels that I picked up about 13 years ago, they came with trim rings and caps. They came off of a blue '68 GS400 coupe and the rims were factory painted blue when I got them.

:beers2:

[Andy69]

Aw darn... :(

Anyway, I just had a thought. I saw this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/60s-70s-BUICK-15-WHEEL-COVER-HUB-CAP-981198-NOS-GM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQ itemZ160269176605

It looks like the center cap is the same as the ribbed part on a Chevrolet derby cap, and it looks like it's bolted on to the Buick cap. IIRC the two parts of a derby cap are riveted, but if the holes are in the same place, I might be able to drill out the rivets on a set of derby caps, and replace the Chevrolet part with the Buick part. Make sense? It wouldn't be factory, but better than the Chevy caps, and I think would actually look cool, in light of the fact that everyone and their brother has the rallies on their Buicks.

[Mike Trom]

You can make a set from the chevy caps for "disc" brakes and do what you said, I believe some of the reproduction Buick center caps use screws instead of rivets so that may help. The "dish" part of the buick cap is a brushed finish and the chevy caps are more of a chrome finish.

It could be a costly project though once you buy all of the parts. You may want to watch ebay or put a request here on the board for an original set.

:beer

[Andy69]

You mean like these?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-Chevy-Corvette-Rally-Wheel-Disc-Brake-Flat-Caps-15_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1240Q7c39Q3a1Q 7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec 0Q2em14QQhashZitem330274617788QQitemZ330274617788

They are repros, but they appear to be at least two parts. They might be different from the originals though.

Heck, maybe the bowtie part is removable and I could stick a tri shield in there.

[Racerx88]

Aw darn... :(

Anyway, I just had a thought. I saw this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/60s-70s-BUICK-15-WHEEL-COVER-HUB-CAP-981198-NOS-GM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQ itemZ160269176605

It looks like the center cap is the same as the ribbed part on a Chevrolet derby cap, and it looks like it's bolted on to the Buick cap. IIRC the two parts of a derby cap are riveted, but if the holes are in the same place, I might be able to drill out the rivets on a set of derby caps, and replace the Chevrolet part with the Buick part. Make sense? It wouldn't be factory, but better than the Chevy caps, and I think would actually look cool, in light of the fact that everyone and their brother has the rallies on their Buicks.

I thought I said all that in post #10 above? :Do No:

[Andy69]

I thought I said all that in post #10 above? :Do No:

so the ones I posted are "sport wheels"? I'm new to this Buick stuff.:cool:

[Andy69]

Um, like maybe this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1960-1970-BUICK-RIVIERA-CENTER-HUBCAP-RIVE-CUSTOM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1240Q7c39Q 3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286 Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem290270944537QQitemZ290270944 537

Except it's from a Riv, but the medallion can be changed. dOn't know the year though.

or the caps off these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-BUICK-SPECIAL-LESABRE-HUB-CAPS-HUBCAPS-WHEELCOVERS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q 2el1116QQitemZ190098287775

except not from that guy ($165!!)

[Mike Trom]

Um, like maybe this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1960-1970-BUICK-RIVIERA-CENTER-HUBCAP-RIVE-CUSTOM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1240Q7c39Q 3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286 Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem290270944537QQitemZ290270944 537

Except it's from a Riv, but the medallion can be changed. dOn't know the year though.

or the caps off these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-BUICK-SPECIAL-LESABRE-HUB-CAPS-HUBCAPS-WHEELCOVERS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q 2el1116QQitemZ190098287775

The Riv cap is way too big.. I don't think you can remove the centers from the other hub caps you posted.

except not from that guy ($165!!)

You would need the '67-79 chrome wheel center caps like these except with the Buick Tri-shield http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-Buick-Skylark-Ralley-Wheel-Center-Caps_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7 c65Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQha shZitem230304005293QQitemZ230304005293

They are reproduced and I believe the reproductions have 4 screws in the back and not rivets like the originals (I would check before buying). I have also seen just the "dish" part of the chevy rally wheel center available alone since they do come apart http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-67-Camaro-Nova-Rally-Wheel-Set-W-O-Disc-Brakes_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el11 16QQitemZ8055690311

I think the hole pattern for the cap is smaller for the disc brake caps than the standard chevy cap.

If you have disc brakes you can just get these and put a Buick decal in the middle http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy-Corvette-Rally-wheel-disc-brake-flat-caps-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c 65Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhas hZitem370102581160QQitemZ370102581160

[Sportwagon400]

I put the 15" Corvette rallies from my Chevelle on my GS400, since the tires on my 14" Buick wheels were shot and the ones on the Chevy were brand new (and the Chevelle is currently in 10,000 pieces). I want to swap out the Chevrolet center caps for Buick caps. Every GS400 I see seems to have the 5-spoke Buick rally wheels, but my assembly manual lists 5 different wheels/caps that were available on the GS400 in 1969, but the pictures are fuzzy so it's difficult to see the details. Just wondering if anyone here can tell me if any of these are correct:




http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260304111851


These are the correct 69 Skylark /GS hub caps for 14" wheels my GS400 came with wire wheel covers I have every style of wheel cover and wheel for my GS ( i have had no life for 30+ years it seems heheh ) But here are chev rallies with Correct 67-68 center caps on my 65 SportWagon:TU: I just bought 16 Chev rallies that will get these centers for next spring. The buick center cap is sliver with a polished rim not all polished like the chev cap

Ken