Hub caps, rare... really?

[Richard Patterson]

First, let me thank everyone for the help on my various other questions - this group has been really helpful.  Back story; bought a 1934 Ford Roadster..  someplace in its history the 17” wire wheels were replaced with 15” wheels (I am going to rectify this over time).  Three of the wheels had center caps and I figured I would just either buy one, or get 4 new...  wow, bad assumption.  I was told by a couple of Hub cap folks they have never seen this size with the clips mounted inside ...  help/thoughts ?

[19tom40]

A photo of the wheel without the cap installed might help in finding a cap to fit.

 

Just a guess but those look like the wheel for the balloon tires offered by  some tire manufacturers during the early 1930's. They are a rare aftermarket accessory. Here is a link to a photo of a 34 Ford with them.

 

http://theoldmotor.com/?p=168182

 

[Richard Patterson]

Here is a view without...

[19tom40]

Those are the wheels for the accessory balloon tires. I suggest that you post these photos on the Early Ford V-8 club forum and the Ford Barn Forum. Someone on these Forums may have information that you can use to find a hubcap. I don't think that any other hub cap will fit those wheels.

 

https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/index.cfm

 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

 

The V-8 Times had an article about them in the late 1970's or early 1980's. Their site has a searchable index and if you can find the date of the article, you can probably find that issue for sale at the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum.

 

http://www.fordv8foundation.org/

[Richard Patterson]

5 hours ago, 19tom40 said:

Those are the wheels for the accessory balloon tires. I suggest that you post these photos on the Early Ford V-8 club forum and the Ford Barn Forum. Someone on these Forums may have information that you can use to find a hubcap. I don't think that any other hub cap will fit those wheels.

 

https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/index.cfm

 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

 

The V-8 Times had an article about them in the late 1970's or early 1980's. Their site has a searchable index and if you can find the date of the article, you can probably find that issue for sale at the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum.

 

http://www.fordv8foundation.org/

Thanks Tom.  Post on the early ford v8 forum, with get to the Old Ford Barn tonight... so are these worth keeping on the car?  The spare is the original wire wheel so I was going to switch them out... value your thoughts on it. 

[19tom40]

Those tires were supposed to give a better ride, but they did not sell very well back in the day. IMHO, I would try to  replace them with the more common wire wheels so that you have a spare and  easily replaced hub caps. Rare accessories may be nice to have and make your car unique, but when you have a problem, they are pain in the you know what.

 

It is your car and you should do what makes you happy with it. I like my cars the way that they left the factory, they are easier to maintain that way and look good.

[Matt Harwood]

I have one full set of painted General Jumbo wheels with tires and three in primer, plus a bunch of hubcaps in my storage room. The hubcaps are different than those on your Ford but the wheels look similar. I don't want to break up a set, but if these are useful to you, I'd let them go very reasonably just to have the space back.

 

 

 

[Richard Patterson]

Do you know what the logo is on those hubs?  

[Matt Harwood]

Sorry, I don't know what the logo is--I always assumed they were a generic General Jumbo logo so the wheels would work on any car.