240Z D hubcaps ... reproduction?

[240260280]

11 minutes ago, 26th-Z said:

Armorall has silicone in it.  Don't use silicone on rubber!

The caps look great to me.  They have an inked number on them.  I doubt someone would go to all the trouble for a set of repros?  How much are these things worth?

Buyer beware.

[Terrapin Z]

I have a couple I believe are original, The have the punched valve stem hole like Kats made note of. A makers country of orgin stamping on the side IKI MADE IN JAPAN. Inked markings inside.

They are rough I know......

[lonetreesteve]

18 hours ago, 240260280 said:

Are they claimed to be original or reproductions?

Perhaps ask for a higher resolution photo of this area and we can tell.  The photos above are too small to see details.

It was like pulling teeth to get the seller to send me these last 3 pictures that are just a little more closer up. I don't see the "IKI Made In Japan" stamped anywhere that Terrapin Z mentioned. The seller also told me that the set of 4 are original. What do you think of these last 3 pictures?  

[240260280]

The edge fingers at the hole are not like any of the original pictures I have but they do closely match the early poor-quality fakes from 2 years ago but they better match Terrapin originals.

I think they are real or a very good reproduction.

The  IKI stamp and  Made in Japan require further exploration.  I'll check mine in the garage and get back.

 

 

 

 

 

Circa 1970 version 1

 

Circa 1970 version 2

 

2020

 

2018 fake

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 28, 2020 by 240260280

[240260280]

Feb 2018 fakes:

 

 

[lonetreesteve]

240260280, Kats and Terrapin Z, 

Thank you taking the time to post the pictures. After looking over all of the pictures, the D hubcaps that I'm considering look like an updated set of reproduction hubcaps to me. I am looking for an authentic set and this seller hasn't been very forthcoming when I asked him questions. He also has been difficult to work with when I ask him for additional pictures. My gut tells me to back off.  

[Captain Obvious]

My BS detector goes off loud when I see those too although I don't have any specific tell to point to that is a clear indication they are repros.

I do worry that it seems the people who are making these are simply getting better at fixing their mistakes and making the repros harder to distinguish from the original versions. I suspect the chatter here pointing out the differences is allowing them to monitor this thread (and maybe others like it) and use the info within to improve the parts.

Double edge sword... Better repros that are virtually indistinguishable from the originals are a good thing. But if they are sold claiming to be NOS parts made by the original manufacturer, it's a lie and should not be allowed.

[Terrapin Z]

I agree with those above, I think they are really good reproductions based only on the pic's. "If it looks too good to be true....." Especially if the seller is being elusive. 

JMHO.

 

 

[nix240z]

probably from the same seller of the original fake hubcaps that sold on ebay.

I did read a review that some of the hubcaps flew off the car while driving. 

 

[lonetreesteve]

I spotted these on the Los Angeles, CA Craigslist. The pictures of the wheel covers/hubcaps look really fake, but it sounds like the seller is only trying to sell the plastic "D" center pieces. Very similar to the plastic D center caps sold on eBay by jdm-car-parts. Not sure why the seller would show pictures of the fake wheel covers with the reproduction center plastic caps, unless he doesn't have any real ones, haha!   

Here's the link: https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/d/montclair-d-hubcap-caps/7319703744.html

 

[Johnz1971]

With the ebay price of 1 original hubcap going for $600, I'm out.

I wouldn't mind having a set of reproductions.  The ones posted earlier in this thread look good enough for me.  There's got to be someone else who could reproduce these things in bulk for resale.  Where's china when you really need them?

[Patcon]

I feel quite confident the repops are coming from Asia already