I've run painted wheels with beauty rings for years but the edges get the paint ruined when mounting tires so I'm thinking about the chrome ones with painted centers. I have searched and not seen pictures or comments on the combination chrome and painted. I'd like some first hand experience of how they look or at least see some pictures on late 30 and early 40 Fords.
In the '80s and '90s smoothies with chrome rims and painted centers were quite common. I am not sure if I have ever really seen them in other time periods. Not to say that there is anything wrong with the idea. It is an interesting concept, chrome hoops with painted centers and small hub center covers. Should be easy to maintain. I am with @Dick Stevens on the chrome reverse deal. I like chrome reverse wheels on a boat fender car.
Recently I saw a roadster that had them. I can't remember where, but I liked it. Try painting the centers with plasti-dip, and if you don't like them peel it off.
I also prefer paint and beauty rings and a good tire guy should be able to swap tires without damaging the paint.
Aha.... an old magazine cover featuring George Barris painting the wheels centers.... that's where I saw it.
I don't know the years, but Ford and GM both offered a version of the Rally wheel that had a center with painted spokes and a chrome rim. I have a 78 Buick Regal with them and the rims look great. I also have virtually the same wheel on my 67 Caliente, but they are painted and have a beauty ring. They don't look as nice. There is also the option of using BMW alloy rims on the Chevy, the bolt pattern isn't an exact match, but a little work on a jig or a lathe would fix that. BBS put out a 13", 14", and a 15", wheel with a painted or coated center with an alloy rim. They looked sharp. My preference, assuming a matching bolt pattern, is the 50s chrome reversed Buick rims. Bob