Jump to content

"Fool" hubcap?


Guest virgilmule

Recommended Posts

Guest virgilmule

In going through my father's barn, I found what I at first thought was a Model A hubcap: about 3" across, a row of teeth on the underside to keep it in place, raised script lettering in the center. THEN, I looked a little closer: I can SWEAR the hubcap says "Fool!"

Can anyone make heads or tails of this?

post-31896-143138216101_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You are absolutely correct. There are variations on these, one I've seen before says "Foof."

They were aftermarket Model A replacement caps and to avoid problems selling unauthorized accessories, or getting into trouble using the Ford name without permission and proper license, they produced a similar looking cap with the name spelled differently.

Interesting accessory.

Terry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest De Soto Frank

I have a couple of these "Fool" / "Bool" caps for '30-'31 Ford...

As noted above, an aftermarket cap that skirted trademark / licensing fees...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good question Keiser, what year(s) were they from? Patent infringement suits or fear of them no doubt were what resulted in these being produced with "Bool" or "Fool" (take your pick) rather than "Ford". In the '70's my office was close to the U S Patent Office, and access then was wide open. At lunch time I sometimes strolled there and went back into remote areas searching out automotive patents, among other things. I recall finding a stash of old Pep Boys catalogs. After perusing them, the reason for their being there became more understandable. In '30's catalogs, there were pages with mark-ups on the pictures of such acessories as hood ornaments for example, that could easily be seen to be copies of the real OEM things, and presumably were the subjects of infringement suits.

I've looked in catalogs from Pep Boys, Western Auto, Warshawsky, Sears, and Montgomery Ward spanning '36 through '59, but could not find these caps. So that mystery remains! Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good question Keiser, what year(s) were they from? Patent infringement suits or fear of them no doubt were what resulted in these being produced with "Bool" or "Fool" (take your pick) rather than "Ford". In the '70's my office was close to the U S Patent Office, and access then was wide open. At lunch time I sometimes strolled there and went back into remote areas searching out automotive patents, among other things. I recall finding a stash of old Pep Boys catalogs. After perusing them, the reason for their being there became more understandable. In '30's catalogs, there were pages with mark-ups on the pictures of such acessories as hood ornaments for example, that could easily be seen to be copies of the real OEM things, and presumably were the subjects of infringement suits.

I've looked in catalogs from Pep Boys, Western Auto, Warshawsky, Sears, and Montgomery Ward spanning '36 through '59, but could not find these caps. So that mystery remains! Dave

I am certain that J.C.Whitney made or at least sold them in the late 60's or early 70's. That is when I first got a catalog and saw them in there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is a discussion of these in the Technical Q&A Section of the Model A Ford Club of America site:

Question:

In the centre of my 1929 hubcaps is a word which on first glance looks like the word 'Ford'. On closer inspection the word now looks like 'Boal' or 'Bool'. Any ideas? Please put me out of my misery. With thanks. -- David Jacobs

Answer:

Don't take this too hard. These have fooled many people in thinking it says Ford. On close inspection it actually says "Fool." These are a reproduction item (cheap) made about 20 years ago (or longer) as a cheap hub cap for the Model A . The clever script lettering at first glance looks like FORD, intending to fool people. I believe they came from Taiwan or Japan. I believe I still have a few bent up ones in my scrap box. Of no value. -- Les Andrews, Technical Director

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, I should have looked there too, I have an old trunk full of J. C. Whitney catalogs, but couldn't remember how far back they went. Warshawsky was their parent or overarching company, so I looked in theirs instead of digging out JCW's. Some afternoon when I am not doing anything. . . . . A picture of the caps from a catalog and its date would be cool. I'm betting they were about a half a buck each. Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 years later...

There were some aftermarket caps made for the 1936 Dodge too, I used to have a couple that came with a car I bought. They still show up on E-Bay, sometimes listed as NOS, and I am sure many people have bought them without really looking close at them.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I believe they were produced much earlier than the 1960's. We started restoration on a '29 Ford AA Cretors Popcorn Wagon in 1980 that came to us with one of those caps and it appeared to have been on the vehicle at least since the 1950's. This vehicle, in deplorable condition, had been stored away in the early 1960's and hadn't been driven for many years before that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember regular discussion on these when I had my A a few years ago. Bear in mind that MARC was founded around 1953, growing very fast in a couple of years, so a demand for Model A parts by hobbyists dates back at least that far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest prs519

I bought a set unused at Hershey last year for $20 dollars. The guy after me paid $40. Go figure, eh ! Wayne

That's cuz you are so good lookin, Wayne; they gave you a discount!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest prs519

To my surprise, I saw a Bool the other day clearly meant for 1940-48 Fords (for 16 inch rimes). Until then, I did not imagine that such a thing was made. I know Western Auto suppliers of replacement caps would highly duplicate the looks of proprietary hubcaps of many years and brands, but always there was some evident change to protect against copyright infringement suits. Does anyone know of such an actual lawsuit occurring? It might have started with the Ford script, which subsequently in revenge changed it to look like "Fool". Ho! Silly and self defeating for a big corporation to carp about that, hence they lost free advertising!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Free advertising? How many crouch down, to look at a hubcap, and say, "Hey, it's a Ford. I think I'll go buy one." I guess all of those fake Levis, Gucci bags and designer sunglasses that "our friends", the Chinese send over here, by the container ship load, are free advertising too. Copyrights and patents are in place for a reason

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am a proud owner of a 1947 Buick that has hubcaps that say "*uic*" Tje B and the K are interchangeable and neither a B nor a K but close enough so that most people don't notice the obvious mis spelling. I have a set of real replacements but just can't bear to take these off as I find them funny.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest AlCapone
That's cuz you are so good lookin, Wayne; they gave you a discount![/QUOTnot

you are likely right, I had not thought of that ! Sometimes we overlook the obvious. Wayne

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...