Yes the '450' steel wheel was a 15 incher wrapped in the same F-60-15 Polyglas GTs

The '450' (last 3 digits of part number/casting number) wheel commands a steep price today - restored sets can be $4000-5000 for date matched items, for something that got pitched in the scrap heap back in the day in favor of cool mags. Many Hemi car restorers cheap out on this item and try to pass off the shallow offset version with the narrow band (where valve stem sits), and when you know the difference it sticks out like a sore thumb.

$3.5 million Hemi Cuda convertible going across the block with the wrong (cheap) non - 450 wheels. Note narrow inner band and too-shallow offset which sets the hubcap too far out

Could’ve got 3.7 with the right wheels

Says the car sold in 2008. Dave C. Sold his collection at Mecum Indy that year and had a black one with the red body side moldings.

Tracker 1 you are right. The wrong wheels stand out like sore thumb. Never noticed but man when you bring it up definitely looks crummy with the shallow wheels.

Joining late, but came to say: Yes - assembly plants absolutely have the ability to do paint repair and body work.

Normally there is a short paint repair line for "small"ish touch ups that can be done while the line is moving; there is also a stationary area for more major repairs.

Maybe it was more of a "make vs buy" decision in the case of this Cuda. Since there was metal fab/customization involved they decided to outsource it rather than do the repair in house.

My own Oshawa built Chevelle was hit and repaired in the assembly plant. We discovered bondo in the fender the first time we had them off for a repaint.

K