Fixing '66 Toronado trim rings

[paxtonshelby1966]

Hi guys - has anyone found a way to fix / replace broken tabs on wheel trim rings? My rings are in good shape cosmetically but they are all missing one or more tabs. I'd rather not pay big bucks for rings in perfect shape, as my car is going to be a driver. Looking at the rings it seems that there might be a enough room / thickness to remove the existing tabs and rivet on new ones. What do you think? Also - what kind of steel would be best to use? I don't want these things to break every time I remove the ring from the wheel. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated!

[Otto Skorzeny]

How would you use rivets that wouldn't be visible? Is there enough left of the old tab to overlap a new tab? I think a spot weld of some kind would work. You'd have to get the same kind of steel - maybe from a useless or bent one that can't be repaired.

By the way, what did you decide to do about your exhaust system?

[Otto Skorzeny]

This might sound dumb but look at the various JB Weld type products to fix your trim rings. My brother sheered off the engine cover on his Honda motorcycle when he laid it down and it went over a curb. After carefully sanding and cleaning up both surfaces, he glued the steel cover back onto the block and has been driving the bike for 3 years. (the bike wasn't worth paying a shop to fix it correctly)

[paxtonshelby1966]

Thanks for the input Otto. The ring has 2 layers to it with airspace between. If a rivet could enter thru the backside it would not be visible. I'm not sure how well it would hold up though. The JB Weld idea is also a thought.