I have never had a problem with any chrome part rusting. The secret is the way they are taken care of. I have chrome on a 73 Harley and it is as good today as when it was plated.

Aluminum requires a lot more care to keep a bright shine. I like wheels in that metal however valve covers no thank you. "cheap imports any more" I guess you may be to young to remember Cal Custom chrome parts sold by JC Whitney, you could see the copper under the chrome after a few polishes. It is just a cover so an import for that is just fine. I hope folks understand that cheap imports applies to the aluminum covers also. The valve covers I have are on the car for 2 years now.

I am not tying to make all the engine parts match. The water pump and timing cover are aluminum, the pan is chrome, the intake is raw cast and the headers heat coated. Chrome will not hold up to the heat. When I look at a motor I like seeing the different parts the contrast of those pieces make it interesting.

The cars on the road today, nothing says bumper, grill, window frame or side trim accent, they are just a blob dunked into a paint can all one color and boring as hell. I think the manufactures of today never had the pleasure of building model cars.

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