OEM vs. REPRO. Classic Industries purchase of gray tire valve stem caps for comparison.

[69hurstolds]

Perhaps it started in 85. If they didn't use them in 84, I know for sure they used them in 85 because they came with them. My 87 spare has an original gray cap although I haven't put gray caps on the rest of the valve stems yet. My 85 spare has a gray cap. As old as it is, I'll probably redo the valve stem in it anyway. The 84 H/O I know has a black cap. I'm pretty sure it's the original spare, but can't know for 100% sure since I didn't have it for the first 15 years of its life. It's the correct size, however, the T125/70D15 for non-posi. So with the info I have available, I'm just going to go ahead and extrapolate the 86's had gray caps on their spares as well.

I have a pic on my computer of an original low mile 87 442 with G80, and I went out to the shop and took pics of my 87 (non-G80) 85 (G80) spares. They're still virgin spares with all their nubs and color markings on the tread.

What I still can't figure out why the 87 got a T155/80D16 regardless, while the posi only got the 16" wheel on the 84 and 85. Same gears, same rear end essentially. I get why they were different sizes, but couldn't they have figured out just save a few bucks and have ONE spare like they did in 87?

Here's the pic from my 'puter...

And this is my 87 spare

And my 85 spare

 

[69hurstolds]

And found some web pics of an 85 442 (now belongs to a member here) with gray caps everywhere...

And I know there were more cars than just G-bodies that had gray caps on their spares. I was snagging them everywhere in the yards there for a short period.

 

[PBGBodyFan]

It’s one of the fun things I do at yards too with g-bodies, snag the gray original caps. Should probably round them all up to keep together..

 

[oldsofb]

I know this is late, but still. Just pulled my spare out (it still has 1987 air in it 😉)

That's it. This spare didn't touch the ground until I got it. At least I think so.

Hutch