Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

As requested, here are a few shots intended to compare the standard wheel with and without the trim ring. The pictures are not as good as I hoped but hopefully you'll get the idea. On my car the wheels are currently painted silver (not the factory color/paint) but I'm going slightly darker with a Dupli-Color "Stainless Steel." I'll post additional photos as soon as the wheels are finished.

I like the trim rings, too.

Been running them quite a few years. Stainless retaining spring steel, under anodized aluminum outer ring.

I think I got them from the old Penn-Jersey auto chain for maybe $12/ring.

These are mine. They came on the car from the previous owner, but I like them. I had to replace one, and got it from Hub Cap Mike in Stainless (mostly because he was local and I could swing by and pick it up).



As a side note; They are also useful for adapting the 13" wheel covers from a 1500 model (ie... '64), to a 14" wheel of the later models (disc brakes).

Well-done, Randy. I like the look as well.

Also, I've bought several things from HCM - Good people.

Those look good Randy. I may order a set, but I'm trying to decide between the stainless and the chrome.

Dale

Chrome rings are often cheap chrome and they rust quickly...

Agree with last post. I have discovered that the coloration of the stainless trim rings is a bit more yellow in tone than the chrome center caps. It's not a huge difference, but noticeable. So, I guess you have to weigh longevity vs. appearance.

spl310 wrote:Chrome rings are often cheap chrome and they rust quickly...

What is this "rust" you speak of?

Keith:

Tell me more about how to adapt the 1500 hubcaps to the 14" wheel. I LOVE the 1500 hubcaps.

Cheers
James

James:

At the time I took these photos, I had a '64 1500 I had disassembled. The plan was to restore it, but I was poor and couldn't afford it. I had purchased a set of the original wheel covers for it (they aren't cheap, IF you can find them). I had the '64 in pieces, and had bought the '68 2K you see pictured, and was having the engine rebuilt. The '64 has since gone to a local restorer, along with the wheel covers.

I've always loved the look of the '64 wheel covers as well. They are for the 13" wheels, and won't fit the 14" wheels. Datsun went to the 14" wheels (I assume) to have room for the front disk brakes. The 2k came with the beauty rings from the previous owner. One day, a flash of lightning hit me with the notion that the beauty rings deduced the diameter of the wheel by about 1". It turns out the clips on the wheel covers fit perfectly and tight behind the inside lip of the beauty ring. Then the beauty ring/wheel cover assembly clips onto the wheel with the clips from the beauty ring. That's what you see here.

I would have loved to have my '64 wheel covers restored/rechromed and kept them on my current '68 2k, because I love the look. But ultimately, I thought it was better for wheel covers to go with the rest of the '64 to make it as complete as possible for a future restoration by someone.

I hope this helps.