Fixed hubcaps on my 1976 Eldo to look factory

[d307p]

Just thought I would post some pictures as I am pretty happy the way my hubcaps turned out.  When I bought my 76 Eldorado Convertible it just had plain hubcaps and not the black insert ones.  Cadillac Tim and 76 Eldo (Brian) gave me good information on what to do.  Had my neighbor use his dremel tool to cut the locks off the crest and wreath posts, then took the hubcaps to a local sign graphics business to have black vinyl applied.  Bought some model paint and brushes and repainted crests, then applied a couple of coats of spray clear coat.  Total cost was about $95 to do all four

[76eldo]

Dave,

They look great!

Brian

[Jeff Wilk]

Dave, that's among the most amazing transformation Ive ever seen. AWESOME job!!!!!

My 75 eldo conv caps look identical to your before pictures......unfortunately.  Any idea if they are supposed to be painted body color on the 1975 model year???

Jeff

[d307p]

Someone correct me if I am giving incorrect info, but I think 76 Eldorados had the black inserts from factory.  On 1977 and 1978 Biarritz models, the inserts were color matched to the paint of the body.

My cars aren't 100 point show cars so if I had a 1975 and wanted to make the black caps or even color match them to the paint, I'd do it.  Just be prepared for purists to come up to you and say "You know, those aren't the right hubcaps for that year car".  I was just over at Spring Carlisle and was walking around looking at cars and some goofball seemed to be where ever I was.  He was wearing a jacket that said Master Detailer.  He was telling every owner what he thought was wrong with their cars.  I came very close to going off on him, but I just walked away.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Excellent job on the Eldorado wheelcovers.

Details like this make all the difference.

[d307p]

I had contacted a vendor on the Hershey AACA Forums that was selling some, they were going to check what they had and get back to me but they never did.  Here is a link for a post about the inserts she was selling. 
http://forums.aaca.org/f169/77-78-eldorado-fleetwood-hubcap-color-300966.html

[d307p]

USA PArts Supply also sells them but I think their's have to be painted
http://www.usapartssupply.com/

[76eldo]

I'm pretty sure that the 75's are plain.  76's are all black except the bicentennial model, and they have a ring of black in addition to the center.  The 77 and 78 caps just have the center in color without the outer ring that the 76's have.

Dave, Please out me in touch with the person that has the colored inserts?  I'd love to get a set of yellow ones.

Brian

[Davidinhartford]

I'm pretty sure that the 75's are plain.  76's are all black except the bicentennial model, and they have a ring of black in addition to the center.  The 77 and 78 caps just have the center in color without the outer ring that the 76's have.

 

Brian

Brian you are 100% right!     The 74 and 75s were plain.     

Dave,    The redone covers look great!     Bravo!

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

In addition to the pre-76s Eldo hubcaps being brushed stainless steel; 1976 being painted black or white (Bicentennial) the following should be noted for 1977 & 1978 Eldorado wheelcovers:

The standard wheelcover returned back to brushed stainless steel unless either the Cabriolet or Biarritz option was ordered- in which case the the car was equipped with wheelcovers that were color-keyed to body paint.

It is important to note that the wheelcovers of these years were NOT painted. They were "Butyrate" inserts.

[jagbuxx #12944]

All good stuff plus add that the mid-year intro '76 Biarritz also had the insert portions of the covers painted in Firethorn, Innsbruck Blue to match those exterior colors..

[Eldorado Tex]

Great job! I've only got a set of 3 for mine, but I'm still debating whether or not I want to go with the hubcaps or if I could actually find a good set of wheels.