VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Nickle or Chrome?

I've got to send my Sport Cab bumpers and Window surronds out as well as having my lights resilvered.Which is better nickle or chrome?I know nickle is correct.Any reccomendations as where to send them?How about cost? If I choose to have the car judged will I get dinged for Chrome?Thanks Robby

I am not sure but think the factory changed to crome in 1927, so if you have a car made before 27, you should use nickle.

:vcca:

So 27 were nickle and 28's were chrome.Is this just something you have heard or is it a fact?(not being snotty ,just want to know).Thanks Robby

As to VCCA's TA for 27, Bill Bradford the change was made in 28.

Here is his reply: In '27 only nickel plating was used on Chevys. Chrome may have been used as early as 1928 models.

I have tried to remember where I read this. It was not on Internet, which quite often is an uncertain source, to put it mildly. The library of CCON is unfortunately too large for my memory. But the book I saw this mentioned was a thick one with lots of documentation for several years. Not sure if it was an official GM book.

:vcca:

Well thanks.I just want to get it right.I know that the 28 Sports Cabriolet was a mid year introduction in 28 and being as rare as they are I feel compelled to keep it stock and keep it right.If you or someone else can come up with a reference it would be greatly appericated.I dont know which option I will take,which would be cheeper?Robby

Here are a couple of things I've found while researching the question on Chrome vs Nickle for the '28. Two things I found in the 1928 Sales Data Book with regards to accessories read,
"Genuine Chevrolet Bumpers are Chromium Plated" and the second item reads "The Gryphon Ornamental Radiator Cap is heavily Nickled".

My Sales Data Book book is dated 1-28. The Sports Cabriolet Convertible was a mid year introduction. My 1928 Parts Catalog is dated January, 1928. So when it comes to the Convertible issues, My information is limited. I also have a July 1940 condenced Parts Book for Chevrolet Four Cylinder vehicles. Some Sport Cabriolet Convertible Items are listed in that publication but no mention of the finish.

I've watched this site over the years and heard JYD mention several times that the '29 - '31 vehicles had Nickle plated Park Brake release handles, etc. I would find it strange if Chevrolet Chrome plated the Park Brake release handle on a '28 and reverted to Nickle on later years. So It appears to me that we have a mixture of Chrome and Nickle plated items on the '28 vehicle. I've viewed many 1928 instrument gauges/speedometer heads and their surrounds have all appeared to have been chrome plated.

Alahiker, none of this answers you initial question about finishes on Convertible side window surronds or windshield frames.

Nice thing is that we will discuss this in person.We are coming your way.Robby and Bren

There is a major difference between inside and outside plating and what was used when. The interior handles, instruments, etc.l were nickel plated at least through the 1932 models. This is despite some Chevrolet literature saying Chrome for some interior parts. In fact the Sales Data book lists Nickel on one page and a couple pages later lists Chrome. That is precisely why many of us recommend at least three references even if official Chevrolet before relying on it as gospel.

Well I still dont know what I'll do.If what Chipper says is true I dont think I would would be wrong to do the inside nickle and the outside crome.Sure wish a national VCCA Judge would chime in on this.Robby