[68bird400HO]

Originally Posted by 68pongto

Did some more digging, found another style that is even shorter. It looks to be exact to the Inline Tube one. I my opinion the the 3 original examples look way closer to the Inline tube reproduction, The Ames style with the big wide ribs and beveled top would be the last choice for me.

Attachment 476106

Hard to tell for sure but #3 looks identical to #2 except that the cone part at the end is flattened or ground down making it sit shorter than #2.

[gto4evr]

yeah, that cone isn't pronounced at all, If it's not just a ground down example of #2, it sure wouldn't have much contact area on the rim and might wallow out the lug face.

thanks for those other pics, seems like there had to be more than one supplier either by year or location.

I still have an issue with inline selling parts different than the pictures on their ad so you don't know what you're getting.

[Bet Winner]

I got my '69 Judge in the late 70's and some of the lug nuts on it are very old, and some were replaced in the very early 80's if they did not look good. I have the back wheels off, and all 10 are the LONGER style lugs. I also have 2 lugs in the original GM plastic package--packaged individually with the group/part numbers on the packages. I believe that I bought these in the mid/late 80's as spares. And believe it or not, they are the SHORT style! I also have a complete set purchased more than 10 years ago advertised as originals which are all NOS and the longer style.

Obviously, GM has sold BOTH the longer and shorter styles because I have some of both which were purchased from a Pontiac dealership by me starting in the late 70's. Just from what I have, I would guess that the longer style might be an older style which GM replaced with the shorter style at a later time. Another guess is that the longer style came on most/all of our cars originally.

I believe that the Inline Tube lug looks just like the shorter style in the GM package that I have. I would never have looked at this w/o this thread.

[68pongto]

For whatever reason the shorter style has the lower bevel machined flat. I can see chrome plating on them and the surface is completely flat, so it isn't some hack with a grinder. With millions of these lug nuts made I'm sure GM had different suppliers throughout the 60's to 80's.

[Held for Ransom]

My '70 GTO (Oct. '69) build has the #1's pictured by 68pongto. My '70 Formula 12 bolt had the #2's pictured.

[68ragtop]

Better late than never??

Here is one of my originals from an April, Pontiac MI built car, next to the Ames lugs I bought back in 2004. Not sure if they are the same as the ones being made today however.....

They are the exact same in height. slight differences. Most notable would be the spacing of the bands, & the repro has rounded edges. factory has fairly sharp edges.

The factory one is on the right in all photos:

[Ram Air IV Jack]

Originally Posted by gto4evr

inlines claims of exact repros can be pretty funny sometimes. I don't fault them for at least making something available in the barren aftermarket world of Pontiac parts but they need to dial the claims of "exact as oem" stuff back because it jus' ain't so! they also tend to sweep usage a little wide, like back lock studs being 69-72 when it's really only 70-72 and 69 was different. if you replace all the components then yes, it works for 69 but if you're mixing with oem parts, they don't work together.

You got that right. I've seen claims of NOS on Inline Tube's Ebay stuff and even called them on it. One of the owners, John Kyrta, and I got into a horrible argument about it and I will never buy from them. Even the guys at the Inline booths at the shows I attend are not too good. Parts Place seems decent though and spell out the part you're buying is a reproduction but really all this stuff is made overseas and you get what you pay for.

[Simple Man]

Parts Place seems decent? I've heard a LOT of horror stories about them, especially WRT customer service.

[68ragtop]

I actually now loathe the description "exact oem reproduction"
its just BS, almost across the board.

Definition: Its pretty close, but probably not at all. Do your homework.....
Alternate Meaning: if you don't know any better, its an exact reproduction.

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

Parts Place seems decent? I've heard a LOT of horror stories about them, especially WRT customer service.

I have bought a few things from them. Only three hours South of me, so super quick shipping. 1-2 days max for me.