Chimera Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 (edited) I noticed that 1966 was the last yr that came with the stunning and perhaps potentially injurious, wheel spinners for both Buick Riviera and Chevy Corvette. I personally love the look of the gladiatorial dual bladed Riviera turbine wheel covers. The book entitled, Guide to the United States Popular Culture, mentions: "In the late 1960s, U.S. Federal safety standards banned two- and three-bar spinners from manufacture in the United States." Cheers to the outlaw-dangerous, yet elegant Riviera Turbines! Edited December 13, 2018 by Chimera (see edit history) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted December 12, 2018 Share Posted December 12, 2018 I always thought they looked great! I had the bolt on turbines on my former 64 and currently have the knock off wheels on my 66 Corvette. Another feature that has gone by the wayside are the concealed headlights. They may have been troublesome on some makes and models but I liked them as well. Unfortunately, they do not meet the current federal regulations regarding pedestrian impact standards. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share Posted December 13, 2018 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 Two bar spinners have always been my favorite. RRB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 Like I had on my '57 Austin Healey 100-6. Had to carry the big dead blow hammer in the trunk. True knock offs. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 NOS......enjoy, Tom 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 WOW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWB Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 (edited) Great history from Wikipedia: "The spinner cap was introduced into the commercial vehicle and passenger automobile market in the 1930s. The spinner or "knock-off" was designed to keep the wheel on the automobile. They were screwed on and "knocked on tightly" using hammers and tools, hence the name "knock-offs". Most setups will feature right-hand threads on the left side of the vehicle, and left-hand threads (rotate clockwise to remove) on the vehicle's right side so the screw-on spinner would stay tightened as the auto was in forward motion. The knock-off spinners were used until the development of the lug nut method attaching the wheel. During the 1950s automobile manufacturers offered simulated wire wheel covers for a look of luxury that featured criss-crossing spokes designed to look like the real wire wheels that were used on vehicles in the 1920s and 1930s. These "spinner-wheel covers" were available on standard as well as featured on custom cars, and lowriders quickly adapted them for their own vehicles. During the early-1960s, the simulated wire wheel covers returned, but with new look designed to emphasize sportiness with their radiating spokes and center "spinner caps." These classic center spinner caps feature a rigidly mounted propeller-like center element, usually with two or three projecting "blades."[They were intended to simulate the knock-off hubs that were used on vintage racing vehicles and classic sports cars where a hammer or special wrench was used on the spinner to release or tighten the wheel to the hub. These spinner hubcaps were most often an optional appearance upgrade to the standard equipment hubcaps or full wheel covers that attached to stamped steel wheels. In the late 1960s, U.S. Federal safety standards banned the use of protruding bar spinners on automobiles." My first love of spinners was from the Mach 5. Coincidentally the Mach 5 or Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print in Shueisha's 1966 Shōnen Book - immediately prior to the U.S. ban. Which made them even more HIP! Edited December 13, 2018 by PWB (see edit history) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodneybeauchamp Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 14 hours ago, Chimera said: I noticed that 1966 was the last yr that came with the stunning and perhaps potentially injurious, w: "In the late 1960s, U.S. Federal safety standards banned two- and three-bar spinners from manufacture in the United States." I would have thought that if you were that close to be injured by a knock off spinner, you well well on the the way to being flattened by the rest of the car. Perhaps we need lumps of jelly or sponges to provide a softer impact as we run over someone. Only kidding, but safety laws certainly do amuse me at times. At at least mine will give you a smiley face as they pass over you. Rodney 😀😀😀😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadShark Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 We've all seen the documentary evidence of the havoc these things can unleash: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 8 hours ago, RivNut said: WOW Ed, that`s hilarious...nice looking lady too! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 12 hours ago, 1965rivgs said: NOS......enjoy, Tom Very nice Tom. I think these were the nicest ever fitted to a car. They were heavy and tough to keep clean but worth the effort! Do you have a full set? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummerboy Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 This is probably why they were banned: https://youtu.be/lLuNstLjP1c?t=40 😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 8 hours ago, Pat Curran said: Very nice Tom. I think these were the nicest ever fitted to a car. They were heavy and tough to keep clean but worth the effort! Do you have a full set? Hi Pat, Yes... Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 3 hours ago, drummerboy said: This is probably why they were banned: https://youtu.be/lLuNstLjP1c?t=40 😎 Nice scene. The drop top mustang looks like it has a cross between the Riviera two-bar Turbines and silver arrow hubs. Goldfinger came out in 1964 at the height of the turbine wars; I bet sales went up big time after movie release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsgun Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 The 66 cap is one of my favorites, right there with the Caddy sombrero. I always thought vette knockoffs would look amazing on a 1st gen riviera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 (edited) Those are just stock three bar Mustang wheel covers. Lest we not forget the original from Ben Hur's chariot race Edited December 14, 2018 by RivNut (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 Buick should have one upped them with a 4-bar-blade turbine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 16 hours ago, RoadShark said: We've all seen the documentary evidence of the havoc these things can unleash: Leo's dreaded nemesis of Greased Lightning from the movie Grease Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 14 hours ago, 1965rivgs said: Hi Pat, Yes... Tom Jealous!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 3 hours ago, Pat Curran said: Jealous!! Pat, I`ll trade `ya for a summer with your Corvette...as long as it`s a big block with 3 pedals, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, 1965rivgs said: Pat, I`ll trade `ya for a summer with your Corvette...as long as it`s a big block with 3 pedals, Tom I have 3 pedals and it has spinners (real knock offs) but will a small block do?!! Edited December 14, 2018 by Pat Curran update content (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 (edited) 46 minutes ago, Pat Curran said: I have 3 pedals and it has spinners (real knock offs) but will a small block do?!! sweEEEEET Vette! Turquoise Mist? Edited December 14, 2018 by Chimera (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 4 minutes ago, Chimera said: sweEEEEET Vette! Turquoise Mist? Mosport Green. It was a one year only color. My former 65 Riviera was Turquoise Mist which is one of my favorites. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 I wonder why??? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Riviera 1964 center cap, two bar spinner, and emblem. I'm working on the covers everyday. Red Rivera Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Gents, these are ready as ready can be. Ready for what I don't know, but ready is ready. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 They look great Bob! Your work has definitely paid off. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivman Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 I agree, I like the turbine look of these, and I do like the idea of the GS spinner on my '65 GS … However, until I get a nice set of those, or a restoration done, I'll probably end up using the NOS wire covers I have … Luckily they have the spinner too. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 17 hours ago, Rivman said: I agree, I like the turbine look of these, and I do like the idea of the GS spinner on my '65 GS … However, until I get a nice set of those, or a restoration done, I'll probably end up using the NOS wire covers I have … Luckily they have the spinner too. Sir, you are a gent that is fully equipped and prepared for what ever classic appearance you like. Fine job. Thank you RRB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 Gents, here is a 63 turbine Wheel cover I have almost finished. The back has been cleaned and powder coated for preservation. The front of the wheel cover had the webs cleaned and left natural. The webs had their share of pitting , scrapes, and gouges from just being 50 + years old. The tops of the vanes, the center cap crown, and circumference have been given the first round of polishing. I think powder coating the webs alumina would look better. Comments for improvement are greatly appreciated. RRB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
65VerdeGS Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 On 12/14/2018 at 5:06 PM, Rivman said: I agree, I like the turbine look of these, and I do like the idea of the GS spinner on my '65 GS … However, until I get a nice set of those, or a restoration done, I'll probably end up using the NOS wire covers I have … Luckily they have the spinner too. Were those turbine style hubcaps with spinners ONLY used on the '65 Gran Sports as a standard wheel cover? Or, could these have been ordered for any '65 Riviera? The turbine type hubcaps are rarely seen. Most '65 Gran Sports I've seen over the years have the 'Formula V' chrome wheels (aka Buick Road Wheel). Just wondering... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 7 minutes ago, 65VerdeGS said: Were those turbine style hubcaps with spinners ONLY used on the '65 Gran Sports as a standard wheel cover? Or, could these have been ordered for any '65 Riviera? The turbine type hubcaps are rarely seen. Most '65 Gran Sports I've seen over the years have the 'Formula V' chrome wheels (aka Buick Road Wheel). Just wondering... Alex, The standard hubcaps for the Gran Sport option in `65 are the spinner hubcaps. These caps were also available from the parts dept. as an accessory item so it would have been possible for the dealer to install these caps on any Riviera. A little known fact is that these same hubcaps were also standard equipment on the early `66 Riviera GS cars. Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC1968Riviera Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 12 hours ago, Rivdrivn said: Great example of what the HanKook white wall tires look like. There was a healthy discussion about these tires in another thread. I personally really like the Hankook tires as they are a very dependable tire. Most others poo-poo the fact that the name and "wave" are so evident on the tires. Again, I like the looks of the tires. Great looking wheel cover too! :=) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimera Posted December 18, 2018 Author Share Posted December 18, 2018 What is also very cool about these turbines or most of the Riviera wheels/covers is the attempt to create an illusion or holographic effect with the mirroring of the black and chrome checkers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 On 12/12/2018 at 9:49 PM, 1965rivgs said: NOS......enjoy, Tom Tom, thank you for an example of NOS quality. It helps me separate wheat from the chaff. Outstanding piece of industrial/automotive art. Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWB Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Perhaps inspiration to many, least of all the Mach 5? The winning 1958 Lister-Jaguar - now for sale. Insane spinners! https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2018/12/21/a-smoother-knobbly-the-1959-scca-championship-winning-costin-bodied-lister-jaguar/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Repair efforts. Replace broken stud with new threaded aluminum billet 5/16” x 18. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Gents, would anyone care to speculate at what time in a 63/64 Riv cast aluminum wheel cover get a weight attached? i see these little tan weights clamped on the backside of the wheelcover? We’re the weights put on at the factory? zTurbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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