[Chrysler300] 1964 Chrysler Wheel Covers

["'Rich Barber' c300@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300]" <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As we proceed further down the cone of knowledge and learn more and more
about less and less, a couple of new questions have come up.  Why are the
medallions on the 14? wheel covers on ?64 Chryslers all aligned horizontally
over the valve stem hole?  Further, is anyone aware of the process for
fabricating the wheel covers and whether they were produced in a Chrysler
plant or by a third party firm?

 

Investigation of the backsides of the wheel covers indicates the medallion
could have been installed in any of four positions at 90 degree intervals
but observation of a large number of ?64 wheel covers indicates the great
majority have the valve stem hole at the bottom when the 300 or ?C? portion
of the medallion is properly aligned horizontally.  Non-aligned medallions
may have resulted from replacement or off-spec. initial installation.  There
being three major ?spokes? on the wheel cover, any other alignment of the
medallion would appear odd.  Thus, a standard specification for initial
fabrication would seem to be justified.

 

Pondering the entire fabrication process leads to the assumption that round
stainless steel blanks are polished on one side, punched out, stamped and
formed in one or more processes, painted with really great paint, probably
baked and polished with the large center ring burnished to a flat finish.
Then in an wholly or partially automated process, the appropriate center
medallion and its cream-colored protective back cap (spec?s show the
protective cap was present on the Newports and NY?s only, not the 300?s, but
a good idea to protect the painted back of the medallion-tiny perforations
around the edge to allow any moisture to be centrifuged out) and
gasket/spacer are inserted from the back and the eight little ss ears
pressed down to hold the medallion firmly in place for the next 50 years.
Perhaps the final assembly process involves chunking the painted and
polished blank face down in a jig with the valve stem hole fitting over an
alignment pin.  Then the assembler intentionally, or as per specification,
takes that few seconds to align the medallion so that it can be read with
the valve stem hole at the bottom.

 

While we?re at it, perhaps we can also document the different medallions and
colors on the different models.  First pass:

Newport:  Wheel covers optional.  Dog dish hubcaps standard.  If wheel
covers were installed at the factory they would all have flat black paint
between the tiny, shiny ?spokes?; the medallion has a narrow and tall ?C? in
black with silver edging and three little silver crowns stacked vertically
in the open part of the ?C? and all on a maroon background?all the same
color scheme regardless of body color.  As per Chrysler Service manual
specs, the early centers were red and later maroon.  See Page 22-4 at:
http://www.jholst.net/tires-wheels/64-wheels.pdf 

 

300?s & 300K?s:  Wheel covers standard. All having flat silver/?argent?
paint between the spokes and a pretty red, white & blue medallion with shiny
silver edging and silver 300 in the center.

 

New Yorkers and Salons:  Wheel covers standard.  Paint between the spokes
color-keyed to the external body paint.  Not sure if each available body
color was accompanied by exact-matching wheel covers.  Medallion is similar
to the Newport except the ?C? and crowns are on a white background.  Salons
were equipped with 6 ½? wide rims vs. 5 ½? on Newports and 6? on 300?s and
NY?s.

 

Enforcer/Cop car:  8.00 x 14 4-ply rayon tires on ?Heavy gauge? 14?
Safety-Rim 6K wheels standard.  Goodyear ?Blue Streak? 6-ply nylon tires and
15? Safety-rim wheels optional.  It seems I have read that these optional
wheels and tires could be had on other ?64 models and that they were then
equipped with 1963 300J wheel covers.  The 1964 Chrysler Service manual even
indicates these 15? wheels were standard on 300K?s?but, sadly, this does not
appear to be the case.  See Page 22-1 at:
http://www.jholst.net/64-service-manual/wheels.pdf  

 

Opinions:  The 1964 wheel covers on our 300?s are attractive and well-made
but doomed to major and minor failure as the sharp scallops meant to hold
the covers in place wear and lose their bite on the painted surface of the
rim and as the elements attack the bright paint from the backside of the
medallion.

 

The Chrysler bean counters responsible for downgrading the 300K?s made
several decisions that saved Chrysler some money and disappointed the buyers
in 1964.  I miss the 150 MPH speedometer, the tachometer and 15? wheels and
tires.  

 

Facts:  Nevertheless, 1964 marked the production pinnacle of both coupe and
convertible letter cars?pricing with elimination of the full-race engine as
standard was certainly a part of this success.  The current Chrysler 300
SRT-8 has a 180 MPH speedometer, tach, 20? wheels and racing tires.
Chrysler still uses the racing success of the ?55 and ?56 300?s as the
heritage for the current models.  Performance identifies and strengthens the
breed.

 

Inquiring minds want to know.  Any insights, facts, corrections or even
informed opinions are always welcome.

 

C-300-K?ly,

Rich Barber

Brentwood, CA

 

 

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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Posted by: "Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>
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