PO1 Wheel Covers

[Michael B.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

Here is a 1969 PO2 wheelcover. Sorry I don't have a good picture of a PO1.

[Wayne M.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

C3 isn't my territory, but here's my 2 cents. How can GM change the option code from P01 to P02, yet retain the service part # as 3923630, starting in an October 1967 (ie. 1st edition '68) P&A30 catalog, all the way through to at least Jan 1970 (the newest catalog I have) .

BTW, My P&A30 Rev July 1st 1969 shows this wheelcover # 3923630 as standard (as far as full wheelcovers go) on Corvette for 1968, yet for 1969, same # shows standard on Corvette and '69 passenger, 1st design (15" wheel, convex ornament). Further down, same catalog sheet Gr 5.858 #3963405 '69 passenger 2nd design, 15" wheel, FLAT ornament. Is this significant P01 vs P02 ?

Pic below probably won't tell us much, but it was taken in April of 1968 (so that should narrow down the VIN possibilities), in Montreal Quebec -- N.Y. tourist. Car's dealer sticker indicates MULKIN Chev. Probably on it's original rubber.

The differences must be very subtle for this thread to have gone this long without convincing proof -- what do the judging manuals say ?.

[Steven G.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

On the back of the/my spoked part of the wheel cover there are one or two sets of #'s, all I have are sq. tips, with #1376022E and some have a second set of #'s 1232117. I'm not sure what vehicle they were originally equiped since they were purchased used, this may be a way to correctly identify this part. Has anyone looked at these #'s? Steve

[Dale C.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

I have watched this P01 / P02 thing be kicked around for years and the one thing I can deduct from all the input is that no one knows for sure the real deal on when and why the delta. RPO for 68 was the P01 and RPO for 69 was P02, the darn cover made this oft misunderstood descrete design change sometime during the P01 or 1968 model year, nearest I can tell. Joe or Dick may know but they are probably tired of trying to explain this deal.
Dale

[Steven G.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

Other than the center caps including emblem, I am not completely convinced that there is a difference between po1 and po2, and that goes for other gm cars that they were used as well. Riveria did not have same # drilled holes for corvette centers, thats just my observation, a different part or casting #'s on the spoke part could make this easier. Steve

[Jack C.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

Steve, give me a bit and I'll take a more definitive photo to show you the difference.

[Paul O.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

After looking at numerous 68 with PO1's there are small but a few differences as others have pointed out here. Talked and looked at early, middle and late production cars with the original owners with PO1's that have said those on the car were the original ones. Now I know that some original owners will forget some changes that were made over the course of 40 years. In fact just recently talked with and viewed a owner of a early production 69 I think 1st month with 68 grills and PO1's.

There is probably no defined point in production where PO1's stopped and PO2's started it was probably hit and miss during late 68 and early 69 production till the inventory of PO1's was depleted. Plus I would not be surprised to see a Corvette with different covers 2 of each lets say or some other combo.

But they did change the RPO designator for 69 so one would assume there were changes in the design of the wheel covers to prompt the change. So if the car has gone through several owners and how easily these covers were to damage a 40 year old PO1 and ones that are 30 year old PO2 replacements would look some what the same for aging. Just my opinion. Paul 18046

[Jack C.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

IMHO, my guess, if someone damaged a P01 wheel cover on a 68 and replaced it a year later with a P02, the chances of them replacing all four is remote.

[Steven G.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

Steve, give me a bit and I'll take a more definitive photo to show you the difference.

Jack, it would be great to have a more definitive photo that shows the difference, at your convience of course. Steve

[David B.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

C3 isn't my territory, but here's my 2 cents. How can GM change the option code from P01 to P02, yet retain the service part # as 3923630, starting in an October 1967 (ie. 1st edition '68) P&A30 catalog, all the way through to at least Jan 1970 (the newest catalog I have) .

BTW, My P&A30 Rev July 1st 1969 shows this wheelcover # 3923630 as standard (as far as full wheelcovers go) on Corvette for 1968, yet for 1969, same # shows standard on Corvette and '69 passenger, 1st design (15" wheel, convex ornament). Further down, same catalog sheet Gr 5.858 #3963405 '69 passenger 2nd design, 15" wheel, FLAT ornament. Is this significant P01 vs P02 ?

Pic below probably won't tell us much, but it was taken in April of 1968 (so that should narrow down the VIN possibilities), in Montreal Quebec -- N.Y. tourist. Car's dealer sticker indicates MULKIN Chev. Probably on it's original rubber.

The differences must be very subtle for this thread to have gone this long without convincing proof -- what do the judging manuals say ?.

Wayne,

• According to Bizzoco's book (p.22), the revision during '69 changed to an "... angled center which carried the crossed flags." There is a picture to demonstrate it in the book. That may account for the part number change you referred to?
• The 68-69 JG (Section 21) doesn't differentiate.
• M.F. Dobbins book doesn't help on this subject from what I see.
• Prince's Restoration Guide Book seems to conflict with Bizzoco's because it doesn't list a change in angled center.

I tend to think that your GM references are correct, and that there was a change during the '69 year in the P02 design. But, I am no expert on it - just a '69 owner who is interested in the resolution of this confusing topic.

Hope this helps.

Dave B.

[Jack C.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

OK, the P01 is in the foreground, pn# 1232117. The P02 ( which was installed later in 68 as a P01 in 68) is in the background, pn# 1376022. You can see that the P01 doesn't square off at the top where as the P02 does.

[Wayne M.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

....I tend to think that your GM references are correct, and that there was a change during the '69 year in the P02 design. ...

Dave -- every bit helps. As I understand it, the option P02 appeared from the start of the 1969 model year (unless they were "selling" P02 and delivering P01, while inventory exhausted.

I attach a pic of GM Canada records on imported Corvettes. These two L36 coupes VIN #s 140 and 142 may have been the first 1969 Corvettes delivered to Canadian dealers. Both have the fancy wheelcovers "P02AA" code, which would have also appeared on the window sticker.

But I'm no C3 guy .

[Sal C.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

I've been paddeling this stream for years and getting nowhere. Wayne's photo of the red car should put to rest any ideas of the PO1 comming with a flat cap. I have always been of the belief that that the PO1 had the pointed fins and the PO2s were squared off.
Keep in mind that as we observe original, unrestored cars with these caps that we make sure that they are documented on the window sticker or build sheet. I'm sure that plenty of them were dealer installed.
I'll have to check my notes, but as I remember the part number that was shared by the passenger car and the Corvette was for the cover "less the orniment" (center cap).
To confuse matters a little more I will say that I have several NOS PO1s, 2 of which are in original boxes dated 3/69. And just to stir the pot a little more, some of them have the top left square of the checkerd flag colored white while others have it colored black.
Isn't this fun!

[Dale C.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

Wayne
Its like you said but kind of backwards. In 68 they were calling this wheel cover P01's, but ran out or something of that first design and then started delivering the redesigned P02's and still calling calling them P01's. They thought we would never notice. Little did they know of what was to be, NCRS. Jack, the PN from Chevy Motor Division is 3923630 for all years 68-72.
Dale

[David B.]

Re: PO1 Wheel Covers

Wayne - thanks for the pics - my SE# is a little later than the ones you posted.

Seems like this topic would be a nice Restorer article if anyone can authoritatively put all the pieces together.
Dave