Racing Hubcaps or Aerodynamic Hubcaps

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ Apr 26 2006, 05:47 PM) [snapback]245776[/snapback]</div>

Jay,

What length rivets did you use? I'm assuming you used 3/16" rivets. All the rivets I have currently are either too short or way too long.

My hubcaps arrived today, I have drilled the extra 3 holes in each and have all the holes in the trim rings, but the bolts/nuts I used to hold the pizzapans on will interfere with the rim a bit, so I'll have to rivet them.

I'm assuming the washers you used on the rivets were the specialized rivet washers that may or may not have come with your rivets?

I'm dropping by Home Depot tomorrow with a trim ring and hubcap to get the right length rivets, but it would be nice to verify my thoughts on the "right" length.

BTW, these hubcaps are the same brand I bought for my 71 Mustang in college in the late 80s, I can't believe they're still around! And obviously their QC on size is still an issue, as I see from your original pics that your Mike's hubcaps pretty much sit flush with the edge of the trim rings, while mine are about 1/8-3/32" smaller in radius than the trim rings.

 

Probably my only concern with doing this mod is how the wheels (front especially) will be caked with brake dust that won't be as easy to clean off. Brake dust is hell on clear-coat. I wash my wheels off quite often, and it'll just add one more step of removing these covers to clean an area that I don't even see. Am I a slave to fashion? Only time will tell... I still greatly appreciate you sharing this with us!

 

Where do the valve stems go? Looks like you'd need to take the hubcaps off to check your tire pressure, which is inconvenient enough to encourage not checking tire pressure. I think they do look cool, but I'm skeptical about the mileage claim.
Bob

 

My hubcaps shoud be here today. Thank you for the post. Here is my goal.
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ Jun 15 2006, 02:28 PM) [snapback]271777[/snapback]</div>

I'll Make them from sheet metal or foam covered in resin and painted to match

Notice the skirts don't come down all the way...I've been looking at the curve of the sides of the Prius. If I made a full skirt it would have to puff out at the bottom and I'm not sure I want to do that.

 

Oops

 

I got my caps today and have already installed them. They look great! I think I may just add three more rivets to each cap to make a more stable fit. Thanks for your post.

 

I like them.. kinda have a salt flat racer look to them.

 

Maybe I'm simply ignorant, but I would normally think that anything that adds weight to the wheels would require more effort to make them turn. Back in the early 1970's top fuel dragsters experimented with wheelcovers like the pictures and even aerodynamic fairings. They were ultimately rejected because the added weight offset any benefits.

I would think simply going to a nice lightweight racing (dot approved) rim might provide some minimal benefit, as well as a harder compound tire, but as far as actual duel economy on a car with so little power I would think the benefit of hubcaps would be in the eye ofthe beholder.

 

I've got a black Prius and have been thinking about a hubcap like this. Only I'd like it painted glossy black. Could these be painted? Would I have to take them to a body shop and have them painted and clear coated like the car?

 

I really like those JDM side markers in your pic. How are they attached? And do you have a link to where to get them? I think they'd look cool on black.

 

Sorry. I misunderstood. I didn't mean the side signal lights. I meant the "PRIUS" on the door panels. It's not a decal. And I don't think that comes standard. Where did you get it and how does it install? I hope no drilling of holes.