VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Wheel paint

I think you guys may be right re early 28's and late 28's and the different rims. The same thing can be seen in early chassis/late chassis, early steering wheels/late steering wheels etc.
Chris

From what I have been able to find out, from here and other so called documentation, I have seen both early and late 1928 "Documents" either advertisements or other literature from Chevrolet and also their supply partners both cad and black rims one advertisment showed the two rims on different cars, black on a sport cabro and metal or light colored rims on a coach.

It appears to me that our more knowlegable members will chose the documentation that will supports their favorite color.
Therefore it looks like whichever color you like will at the same time be approved and also dissapproved. (and either one won't make the car run any smoother or safer.) Personally I would rather have a car that runs smoothly and safely than one that "just looks good" Ok , so you want both, which came first the looks good or the runs good?

Yes Mr Mack I am with you ,Chip I do accept what you put forward .I feel that both colors were used but to say that it was one or the other I can not be 100% sure.It was not meant as any critisism nor I am an expert in such matters it's just my opinion. Surely someone must have a dealers news or service bulletin that may give an answer.

no hurt feelings here, that is what I thought this forum was for: a full and deep discussion of the things we have a question about or an answer for!

A time machine would be handy about now.......

No problem here. Just trying to get people to recognize that "what we have always thought was correct" might not always be so. And getting them to search through literature, photos and "original" vehicles to determine what was done all those many years ago.

As stated before I had always thought that the demountable rims up to '31 were cadmium plated. Not sure where it came from but was one of those things that "everyone knew to be the way it was done." Then I find a reference to black and galv. on rims. Neither one is cadmium plating.

Now the question were any rims actually cadmium plated? Or were they zinc plated (galvanized?)? How about clamps, nuts and bolts? Knowing a little about the weatherability of plating and certain coatings, I suspect that zinc plating was used on all those parts and not cadmium. That is at least for some manufacturers (Jaxon, Motor Wheel, Budd, Tuarc, Kelsey Hayes, Disteel, Firestone). Several supplied wheels, rims and parts to Chevrolet.

I have seem many references to zinc plateing from that era, Cadmium may be a later process. Maybe some research into those processes is in order?

See, they are cad plated. I rest my case. HA!

Looks like the rims match the bumper so must be chrome!!!!

I think I will go with the black, or maybe just leave them painted alumimun at least till I can find some Chrome plated wire wheels and some all white NONSKID tires. Anyone have any? anything from 18 thru 16 inch wheels will do that fit a 28 hub bolt pattern, I want the '28 sedan to have that lean low look, maybe a vintage low rider?

Trying to find the path to the truth.... Although it's not a Chevrolet publication, I have a Clymer publication 'Early Chevrolet History' by Doug Bell 1966. In the chapter on 1928 National Series AB, it specifically goes into detail that the Cabriolet went to a black rim in the spring of 1928 and "In early summer black rims became standard on all body styles." This seems in keeping with observations of both wheel colors in 1928 and Cabriolets having black wheels.

Just a little more food for thought....

Those that were associated with him will tell you that Doug Bell knew his Chevrolet history!

I agree that what Doug Bell generally wrote is correct. Unfortunately a few mistakes were made, just like they continue to be made by all of us.

In an attemp to help the understanding and approach to Chevrolet history I submit the following. GM had (and still has) the policy of at least two suppliers or manufacturing plants for vast majority of major and minor parts. [Assemblies, such as engines, transmissions are exceptions in the early years.] In many situations one is GM owned or controlled and one outside. There are many reasons for the policy which Olde and others can comment on. Therefore, each part will have differences depending on who made it and wear and tear on manufacturing tools. There will also be differences in the implimentation dates of any changes.

Generally GM used the FIFO (first in, first out) inventory control. What that means is that in production that changes are made relatively quickly, though not always on the date specified in the engineering or management directive.

Coupled with the different suppliers it made most changes difficult to pinpoint at each plant. When you add the different production plants it could take months for a change to be totally complete.

If you want an example of different suppliers for production plants, look at the hood hold downs for the 1929-30 Chevrolets. Why in the world would there be differences in the design that are documented in the parts books? There are numerous other examples but none so well documented.

So the use of both plated and black rims during 1928 production is very understandable.

I must caution those that use "factory" or 'sales' photos to be careful in their interpretation to production. These photos are in many cases artistically altered or the vehicles so altered to be more photogenic. Also it is common for many photos of prototypes or pre-production vehicles to be taken and distributed (at least with in the company). Many of these photos would be stored in company archives. So it is wise to find other supporting documentation before concluding that a depicted feature was actually used in production vehicles.

Well, I guess I can go with either plated or painted rims since my sedan was built in may of 1928? That means I will stick with the aluminum paint for rims.

I'm going to leave my black rims black. i.e. "If it isn't broke don't fix it."