Correct wheel color for 1970 Convertible?

[chrisntam]

Put new tires on the car today.   Went with Hankook Optima.  Whitewall was kinda narrow, but not much to choose from these days.  Had two wheels that were gray and three were black.  What's up with that?  What color did they come in from the factory?  Did one of the prior owners take a trip to the salvage yard?  Looks like something happened...........

[wrefakis]

grey for 70

[Scot Minesinger]

I have 3 1970 Cadillacs, two are convertibles - all with semi-gloss black wheels, not gray. 

One has 32k miles all original.  When purchased it had original radiator hoses, heater hoses, shocks, spark plugs & wires, and etc.  Only battery, fuel filter, oil filter, oil, coolant, tires, and air filter had been changed.  Given this level of originality I doubt anyone painted the wheels black over a gray paint.  The spare was never out of the trunk.  The jack has a beautiful gold cad finish on it that looks new.  The rim on the spare is black semi-gloss.

Conclusion is that black is correct, not gray.

[Tom Hall 7485]

Why assume that only one color is correct? 

[wrefakis]

grey,period

[chrisntam]

grey,period

Are you stirring the pot?

[Jon S]

They were gray throughout the 1950's

[Tom Hall 7485]

I'm sure a lot of them were gray, Bill R.  My question is whether anyone is in a position to rule out things like multiple suppliers who used different color schemes, color-coding for tire brands or weight ratings, mid-year production changes and so on.  It is human nature to assume that the factory did something uniformly for eleven months, but I wouldn't bet my life on it.  That sort of assumption is how judges and exhibitors get themselves into trouble.  A great many 1971 De Villes had black wheels.

[Jon S]

Cadillac wheel color was pretty consistent and distinctive.  As I've stated many times, unless you've owned the car since new and know the complete history of the car, all bets are off and speculation takes over.

[dadolac]

They were gray throughout the 1950's

Hate that this is my first post but this is not true. Black only on steel wheels 56, 57.  A bunch of colors available  from 50 to 55.

[wrefakis]

I am totally sure 70's had grey wheels, how many did anyone look at from 70-73??? I had over 100, remember I had cars from new to 5,000 miles many times, when you buy your first one in 06,there is a limit to what you can know
started with these cars in 69

[dadolac]

 

I am totally sure 70's had grey wheels, how many did anyone look at from 70-73??? I had over 100, remember I had cars from new to 5,000 miles many times, when you buy your first one in 06,there is a limit to what you can know
started with these cars in 69

Confused. I guess I should use my parts book for a wheel chock 

[wrefakis]

talking about factory installed on production line, not replacement parts

[Jon S]

talking about factory installed on production line, not replacement parts

I agree!  Replacement wheels even from Cadillac may have been black, but production line installed wheels and spare tire rims were gray.

I found most "replacement" parts even from Cadillac were never the same as the factory-installed parts.  Good example - Fuel pumps.  Replacements were definitely different - be they crimped as opposed to screwed together or different physically.

[dadolac]

Should we dismiss the 1970 Cadillac data book as well ? It says black. Still confused 

[dadolac]

How about the owners manual? Clear shot of the wheel on left. Looks black to me.

[Jon S]

Yes, it does look black in the Owner's Manual.

[Scot Minesinger]

My 32k miles Cadillac SDV has a black rim for the spare (not original dual white side wall tire though), and I doubt it was painted black by others subsequent to leaving the factory.  Since the parts book reads black or gray, I doubt points would be deducted ever, so it really is not too serious.

[chrisntam]

How about the owners manual? Clear shot of the wheel on left. Looks black to me.

Yes, but that could be a "file" photo.  It sounds like either is correct, but regarding my original post and the subsequent answers, I would say it's safe to assume a production car wouldn't have wheels both gray and black in color?  But then again, my car might  have been produced right when the factory made the change in color, making my car 1 of 1!!   

I always get a kick and roll my eyes when people with collector cars (like 1967 corvettes) say their car is 1 of 30 with this exterior color and that group of options.  Yeah, but they made TWENTY THREE THOUSAND '67 corvettes.  I say, meah, big deal......

[Scot Minesinger]

Factory made changes mid year in 1970, take for example the door panels, first part of year in closed body DeVilles they were uphlostered, and second part they were wood matching dash.  That is what my friend who worked for the Caddy dealer tells me.