Topic: '81 Snowflake Center Caps

[Orange 81 T/TA]

Which center caps "belong" on my car?  I believe the previous owner of my car put the six-sided chrome caps on it (before they were stolen at the car lot).  I've seen these caps on numerous other cars.

But most surviving cars I've seen have the round center caps.

Was there any specific year this change took place, or are the six-sided caps just GTA caps that will fit Snowflakes?

GTA-Style Six-Sided Caps


Round Caps

[kentuckyyeti]

hexagon 79-up.

[Orange 81 T/TA]

Good deal. And just to be clear, only SE cars received the gold bird logos on the center caps, right?

[RENOVATIONS]

Correct 

[Orange 81 T/TA]

While we're on the subject, I'm having some trouble deciding what to do about my wheels.  They look like they've been painted, and I know that at some point I'll restore/repaint them.  However, I'm looking for a little bit different look.  I'm thinking either gold GTA wheels or buying Rallye IIs and masking and painting them gold.  What do y'all think?

[turbota400]

I say be creative.  But that's just me.

[Orange 81 T/TA]

...Of course, there is always the option of buying C5 ZO6 wheels and having the spokes powdercoated gold....

[pat]

the z06 wheels will need a spacer to fit right the back spacing is diffrent

[Orange 81 T/TA]

Spacers on the front or rear, and how big of a spacer?

[pat]

i dont know off hand but i would think  on both front and rear if you are talking about your 81 but i have not tried it to find out for shure. they would look cool if you can get them to fit and not rub. maby someone else will know or will have a z06 and see what it needs.

[Orange 81 T/TA]

Thanks, Hammer.

I was just thinking gold since the car came from the factory with gold snowflakes and orange (version 2) stripes (don't know when they became black...) and eventually I'll go back with that.

BTW, the car's in my uncle's shop getting the new motor swapped in.  I was talking with him about a month ago and he said that since I don't have the time needed to swap motors, he'd do it for me.  He's been a certified mechanic for 50+ years, so I know it's going to be done right.  I'll definitely be posting more pics and info when I get the car back.

[blue81ta]

Good deal. And just to be clear, only SE cars received the gold bird logos on the center caps, right?

My gold snowflakes came with gold center caps.  I ordered my T/A new...the caps are original.

[Orange 81 T/TA]

Gold caps?  Got any pics?

EDIT:  Oh okay.  Gold birds on the caps.  I didn't read your whole post.

[Orange 81 T/TA]

Your ideas are sounding really really good.

Hammer

P.S. I like old school mechanics too.  Good call taking it to your Uncle.

I hate not doing it myself, because I'm just that kind of guy.  But I've had the car almost two years now and I've never driven it.  I'd just like to finally move on to other parts of this resto.

[Bandit one]

I have on original 81 turbo t/a with the turbo wheels and they have gold birds on hexagon center caps. It is not an SE car, it is actually blue. The door panels have gold birds where the window crank hole is, but the steering wheel, and the automatic shifter knob has red birds. I believe it came this way from the factory, anyone else have this sort of combo?