mercman from oz Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 As everyone knows, the all new 1949 Chevrolets rode on 15" Wheels. For 1948, the standard size wheel was 16", however, a 15" wheel was available as an option. To enhance the looks of the 1948 Chevrolet with the 15" wheels, Chevrolet offered a Full Wheel Cover. Then, when the all new 1949 Chevrolets were released, Chevrolet again offered an optional full wheel cover. The profile of both wheel covers are the same, however, the centres differ, as you can see from the attached picture. On the left is the 1948 wheel cover and on the right, the 1949 wheel cover. Now, if you check on eBay, there are Sellers advertising these full wheel covers as 16", which I believe is an error. It is my belief that they were only available as 15". Can a Chevrolet Authority please set the record right. Question :- Did Chevrolet offer a 16" full wheel cover for the 1948 Chevrolets? Thank you for your help in settling this matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 The center cap on the left is either a 49 or a 50. 49 had a red back round around the bow-tie and in 1950 it was gold. The trim rings would be the difference, the center hub caps should fit on either wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Shifter Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 25 minutes ago, John348 said: The center cap on the left is either a 49 or a 50. 49 had a red back round around the bow-tie and in 1950 it was gold. The trim rings would be the difference, the center hub caps should fit on either wheel. Maybe I am misunderstanding something, but, isn't the OP talking about full wheel covers and not center caps and trim rings? A Chevy parts vendor such as The Filling Station, might be able to answer the original question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Wells Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 Full wheel covers for 15" wheels are generally 16" outside diameter; covers for 14" wheels, 15" O.D. It follows that if full wheel covers exist for 16" wheels, they'd measure in the neighborhood of 17". The covers on this ebay ad tape at around 15" O.D. per the sellers photo, so they probably won't fit 16" wheels. https://www.ebay.com/itm/304686102321 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 John brings up a point on full wheelcovers from that era. Sometimes a "full" wheelcover was a stainless (or on Chrysler products painted) ring that covered the wheel, while the small hubcap snapped over top of it to retain it. The ring may have had teeth on the outer edge to hold it in place and keep it from rotating on the wheel and cutting the valve stem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryankazmer Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 Prewar inner trim rings were offered by many. Postwar they were wide. Chrysler was not the only one with white ones, which I’ve seen called « spats. » 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman from oz Posted February 11 Author Share Posted February 11 That Tape Measure shows the dimension as 15", not 16" These Full Wheel Covers were never offered for the 16" wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman from oz Posted February 11 Author Share Posted February 11 (edited) John, The two Full Wheel Covers that I showed are correct for the 1948 (left) and 1949 (right) These are the small Caps that you are referring to that were standard equipment on the 1949 and 1950 Chevrolets Edited February 11 by mercman from oz (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John348 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 2 hours ago, mercman from oz said: John, The two Full Wheel Covers that I showed are correct for the 1948 (left) and 1949 (right) These are the small Caps that you are referring to that were standard equipment on the 1949 and 1950 Chevrolets Yes, and I have seen the small caps with the trim rings that Rocket Trader refers to as well, that give the appearance of full size wheel covers, my mistake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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