ID help Late 70s to mid 80s Deville Turbine Vane wheel covers

[936CD69]

Hello all, I have a friend who would like to upgrade the base wheel cover on his 1980 Sedan deVille to the Turbine vane cover, I have done quite a bit of research, including the Database, but am unable to find a definitive answer on authenticity. I have found some with black vanes, others appear unpainted. Looks like the unpainted may be 82-84? or were they earlier? Any help would be very much appreciated.

Craig

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I never realized there were two different versions of the optional turbine vaned wheel cover for DeVille.  I had long assumed all had the vaned area painted black and that the paint simply flecked off (and sprayed over with silver) on those that did not show this. 

However, I checked the brochure and it appears silver is correct in 1983.

[936CD69]

Eric, can you confirm black vanes are correct for 80-81?  I found a fairly nice set, just want the correct ones, and these are black

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I'd put my money on black in 1980 but I cannot affirmatively confirm.

The 1980 Prestige Catalog may contain the answer. If the CLC MRC has a copy, perhaps someone there could research this.  Otherwise check the MPL a different part number for the 1980 DeVille turbine vaned wheelcover is shown...?

I'm fairly knowledgeable about covers of this era and this one has me stumped. I'd be very interested in knowing the final answer!

[936CD69]

Unfortunately my MPL only covers 84-92 D cars. Any idea what the option code is? Anyone with an MPL that covers 83 back, could you please check it out? Thanks as always!

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

1981 appears silver too...

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

I have the #s and such, and will try to help, but at present, we have a sick cat that has disappeared under the unfinished part of our basement where they go to "explore." My grandson is coming over to help crawl under the house and that will prevent me from getting right on it.

[936CD69]

I appreciate your help Barry. Hope the kittie is OK (I have 3)

[D.Smith]

I dug thru my archives and the only ones I saw with dark color in the fins was on a 77 Deville.
My 1979 Data book specifically mentions the fins are black on the turbines.

The 80-84s all had silver color in the fins.   

although one photo of a cover off a car appears to have a dark grey color between the fins.

[936CD69]

Thanks David, I am coming to the same conclusion. We'll see what Barry's part numbers tell us.

Craig

[D.Smith]

Another 77 with the black finned turbines.    Definitely looking like the black ones were 77-79, then they went to silver in 1980.   Which makes sense as they probably wanted them to look different than the color-keyed turbines used on the 80-85 Fleetwood Broughams with d'Elegance option.

[936CD69]

I believe he will probably use the black finned ones on his black slicktop 80 SdV. If he ever has it judged, he can always put the base covers on for authenticity. Still looking forward to the part numbers, it may help someone else in the future. Thanks again, everyone.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I concur with Dave -  I'm convinced the optional turbine wheel covers gray/argent/silver vaned area  resumed in the 1980 model year. I say "resumed" because the same cover was also optional from 1974 - 1976 on DeVille. (1976 version featured black hub section rather than brushed stainless steel)

DeVille cover (w/crest only) with black vaned area appears to be exclusive to 1977 - 1979 only.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

I finally got to delve into my parts illustration book and find confirmed that the black centers are 1976.

For those who are interested, our young lady cat is in surgery at this time with a bowel blockage. $3-$4K. Thank goodness for a grandson who works for Google and gave his grandma a delayed Christmas present.

Part # is 3516622

[936CD69]

Hi Barry, could you provide the PN for the 77-79 and the 80-84? Thanks again

[936CD69]

Well I keep forgetting about GM Parts Wiki. Found a 76-81 MPL there. Part number for the 77-79 deVille and commercial chassis is 3516343. Original part number for the 80-84 is 1618876, which is superceded to 1620547. I have attached pics and the parts manual page.
Thanks for everyone's help.

Craig