Original 69 GM Derby Caps Wanted
 

Looking for a correct set of show quality derby caps for 69. Ideally a set of originals with the double ribbed boss on the inside of the caps. Let me know what you have. Thanks

Example of the double ribbed boss ? I know I have a NOS set somewhere and a ton of used.

Charley,

I dug up these two for now and will try to explain what I learned from Mike Thorpe (rszmjt) on the subject of factory issued derby caps. He's handled thousands of these caps and has been checking them since the 1970's for differences between them.

The parts numbers most know for these are 3925801 or 3925805 but they both differ by time frame issued and were also remade by various manufacturers under GM. The early factory originals for 1969 have a double casting rib (or flute) where the screws from the backside of the rings secure to the caps on each of the 4 screw locations. Original production line installed rally wheel caps have this double rib inside, have the GM part number 3925805 and also say made in Canada inside the cap. I think they were made by McKinnon Industries for GM but not positive on that one?

http://image.ibb.co/no9z9x/Inside.jpg

The later versions have a single casting rib (or flute) with one of the above part numbers and in the last 15 years or so, the part number had disappeared completely. They also have various casting flash differences from the factory issued caps or the early over the counter parts but are easy to spot from originals. Below are a couple pictures that simply address the casting ribs, but do not go into the comparisons of the outer fonts and such. I have also been told that 68 and 69 caps differ from each other on the outer beveled edges of the rings where one is more rounded than the other and that the 69 has more pronounced flat edges with a sharper radius. Here's the 69 version with the sharp edge along the outer edge of the ring.

http://image.ibb.co/b1mPbc/Derby.jpg

The later 3925805 part numbers differ widely in the casting flash inside the caps from what is obviously different vendors for GM. They also have different fonts and ring sizes on the outside cap as I have come to learn but still don't know enough about that. I have had 2 sets of originals including a 68 driver with factory issued derby's with the double ribs and made in Canada markings, but quality was poor.

Another showing double ribbed cap. Marked Canada as seen and believed to be an original factory assembly line installed cap.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...uble%20Rib.jpg

Better pics showing another original assembly line double ribbed cap, and another single ribbed cap. The attaching screws also have different markings where the assembly line cap has a triangular marking on the screw head.

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...L/IMG_5125.jpg
Double ribbed with head markings on the screw

http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/...L/IMG_5126.jpg
Single ribbed with different screw as well

Learned something new today!

I found some but what is a nice double rib set worth ?

PM on the way.

Fish on line......

Don't know if the PM sent or not?

Most sets I have seen average between $400 to as high as $600 for a real decent show quality set. NOS ones with the single rib have been averaging $500. There's a guy in Utah that sells complete restored sets between $600 to $800 with the higher price being for dead mint originals. These are top flight quality pieces.

Let me know what you have and what you'd like for them. Thanks