68 SS Hubcaps

[Steve68]

During the research on the 68 RS grille (http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=1087.0) I was keeping an eye out for documented cars that might still have their original P01 SS hubcaps/wheel covers (part number 3871174).  I was lucky enough to find an owner who still had the original Camaro 68 SS covers that came on the car as well as some 63 SS covers.

First, this part number has been used for several hubcaps over the years and includes the 63 Impala, the 65 Chevy, and the 68-69 Camaro.  The paint scheme is different on them but the cover front side itself is identical.  The 63 Impala has an argent ring (inner ring) next to the center cone as do the original covers that came on my 68 Camaro.  Those of you who have read the above posts already know I ordered my car with SS covers.  When I picked it up at the dealership it had the argent ring SS covers on the wheels and they have remained on the vehicle all these years.  May car is a 06A build.  There are GM ads and other published pictures of the 68 Camaro with a black inner ring.

In trying to determine if there was some distinguishing characteristic between the 63 SS argent and 68 SS argent covers it turns out there are two definitive ones.  The 63 has a “plate” on the back side of the cover that goes over the SS fixture and is held on by three screws.  The 68 has a black tar like substance that has been applied to seal the open area between the SS fixture and the attaching structure.  There is no “plate” on the back of the 68 cover.  These appear to be sealing attempts to keep water out of the SS fixture.

My 68 covers, as did the ones on the other owners 68, have the tar substance and no plate.  If the black inner ring was indeed the “normative” SS cover in the beginning of the 68 model year then a change in paint design occurred during the year.  The 69 Camaro covers also have the argent inner ring.

Attached are pictures of 63 Impala "plate", back side of 68 SS Camaro cover (post #47 below), Camaro 69 SS covers, and 68 P&A 30 picture of 68 SS Camaro cover with no black ring.

Steve

[1968RSZ28]

Attached are pictures of 63 Impala "plate", back side of 68 SS Camaro cover, Camaro 69 SS covers, and 68 P&A 30 picture of 68 SS Camaro cover with no black ring.

Steve, your first two photo files are empty when you open them.  Thanks for the info.
 
Paul

[Steve68]

Tried to fix by reducing the picture size further on the ones in post above and was able to add one.  The 4th one still put it over the limit.  Attached is the "back side of 68 SS Camaro cover" here.

Steve

[rs/ss camaro collector]

thanks every one..............Very informative and yes mine have the tar  like sealer on the back also.

[rs/ss camaro collector]

i have what appears to be original STock wheel covers for my   "68 SS camaro but the only numbers i found n the original parts is a .....3827395 Both black rings.