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HHR - Buick Bijou Super Progress

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Old May 16, 2013 | 09:55 PM
  #91  
Blue Beast (aka Boydie)'s Avatar
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I would almost drop down to 15 just to wear the Buick's covers. The original cover was steel wrapped in solid brass which was chromed. Beautiful.

Boydie


Originally Posted by 843de
Stuck in traffic this morning I had an idea if you ever decide to drop down to 15" rims and higher profile tires for even more of a retro feel.

How about a set of repro '49-'50 Buick wheel covers, they'd work on 15" rims.



Your thoughts Ben?
Old May 16, 2013 | 10:42 PM
  #92  
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Those are gorgeous! I have a question for you guys... Weren't those the center lug covers only and not the entire wheel cover? If I recall correctly they were used with beauty rings. In which case, how would they ever stay on? As far as I know, all the stock steel wheels that match the HHR bolt pattern have no flange for center caps to lock on to. Any one know if I am thinking correctly? Also, aren't those like over $100 each?
Old May 16, 2013 | 11:45 PM
  #93  
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Yes you are correct Ben, that's the cap used with the separate trim ring, but there was a full wheel cover variant. See the image below.



They are available here for $90 a pop, but I've seen them for half that at swap meets over the years.

http://www.hubcaps.org/roadmaster.html

There are 15" rims that will work on HHR's, here's a thread on them....

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/tires-wheels-49/15-inch-rims-tires-37007/
Old May 17, 2013 | 02:27 AM
  #94  
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Awesome!!! Thanks you the heads up!!! I really love the old school look of the art deco BUICK lettering!!! Do you know if the 15's mean I would lose tread width over the 16's? I know that sometimes higher sidewalls can make a car feel more wallowy (for lack of a better term) in terms of handling. I switched from 15's to 17's on my old Pontiac Montana and the handling improvement was astounding! Anything you or anyone else would like to share is greatly appreciated!!! :)
Old May 17, 2013 | 06:30 AM
  #95  
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You might contact Coker Tire and tell them what you have going. They might be able to fix you up in one stop.
Old May 17, 2013 | 09:06 AM
  #96  
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Thanks Tominator, but I don't think my budget will allow for Coker Tires...although I do love the Chatanooga area...I may hold off on the tires until after I get the car painted and make the trip to Coker. My wife would be cool with a mini vacation and I could get my tires. WIN/WIN
Old May 17, 2013 | 12:23 PM
  #97  
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Just for s#!+$ and giggles, I added Gorilla tape to the D pillars to give me a better visual for how my HHuick will look with them painted out black.

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Old May 17, 2013 | 03:45 PM
  #98  
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Yeah, that's the ticket Ben!

As an aside, I had a case of bleeps and giggles once, it was a combination of bad Mexican food and some Nitrous at the dentist.
Old May 17, 2013 | 09:46 PM
  #99  
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Thanks Mike!!!

And on the aside ... LMAO!!!
Old May 17, 2013 | 10:15 PM
  #100  
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My apologies for any coffee/soda/water you may have spewed on your monitor or keyboard, it was a "Five Monday" week and it left me a bit squirrely.

If it not too much of a hassle Ben, can you grab a shot of the blacked out pillar treatment in daylight for us?



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