52 MM Rudge Hubs and Wire Wheels for Sprint Car

[cessna195]

After about 35 years of searching I finely found a set of 52 mm Rudge- Whitworth long hubs and four 18 inch straight side wire wheels with lock rings for my 1935 vintage sprint car. I have a photo of the car at old Legion Ascot and the car had Rudge wheel s on it at the time. My question is what type of bearings did the hubs use? The car has a Chrysler tube front axle and spindles. See attached photos of the wheel, hub, spindle and axle. I do not see how a Timken roller bearing would work with the hub. There is no way to keep the outer bearing cup in place on the hub. Was some type of ball bearing used on with the hub?

Thanks for your help

John

[Layden B]

As you may know the 52mm refers to the largest bearing OD which can go into the hubs. They were indeed originally ball bearings both inner and outer.

You may have to make up spacers to fit the races to your spindles.