Paul White Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Hi all, Does anyone have photos of spare tire covers? Apparent the attached photo shows a cover that was apparently a dealer's option extra. I am interested to know what they were made of and how they were fastened to the spare. Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - 29 Buick Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Paul: Your picture is of a 1929 rear-mounted spare which looks to be made out of an oil cloth type material. Some other tire cover photos on 29 Buicks are on <https://www.29buickphotos.com/Information/Wheels-Related/> and also in <https://www.29buickphotos.com/1929-Buick-Models/Members-Car-Photos/> and <https://www.29buickphotos.com/1929-Buick-Models/Historical-Pictures/> I have a set of 1/2 tire covers buried away with a set of original side curtains which I can dig out and check for you. Bill McLaughlin 1929 McL-Buick roadster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Wiegand Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 The spare tires cover in the photos is what is on our '16 Buick Touring. I had Gary Martin of Goldfield Trim make this cover for me when he put the new top on the car. The material is what is used to cover boats. I had the embroidery work done before he sewed everything together. The cover is open, or slotted on the bottom side so that it can slip over the tires. There are three, small diameter screen door springs hooked together and sewn into the back side to hold it on and in place. I had seen an old photo of a tire cover that was styled like this, so he used that as a pattern, or guide if you will, to make this one. We like it and think it gives the car a 'finished' look about it. Back in the day these covers were a very popular accessory that really served a good purpose. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas AACA Life Member #947918 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul White Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 8 hours ago, Bill - 29 Buick said: Paul: Your picture is of a 1929 rear-mounted spare which looks to be made out of an oil cloth type material. Some other tire cover photos on 29 Buicks are on <https://www.29buickphotos.com/Information/Wheels-Related/> and also in <https://www.29buickphotos.com/1929-Buick-Models/Members-Car-Photos/> and <https://www.29buickphotos.com/1929-Buick-Models/Historical-Pictures/> I have a set of 1/2 tire covers buried away with a set of original side curtains which I can dig out and check for you. Bill McLaughlin 1929 McL-Buick roadster HI Bill, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance, Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul White Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 7 hours ago, Terry Wiegand said: The spare tires cover in the photos is what is on our '16 Buick Touring. I had Gary Martin of Goldfield Trim make this cover for me when he put the new top on the car. The material is what is used to cover boats. I had the embroidery work done before he sewed everything together. The cover is open, or slotted on the bottom side so that it can slip over the tires. There are three, small diameter screen door springs hooked together and sewn into the back side to hold it on and in place. I had seen an old photo of a tire cover that was styled like this, so he used that as a pattern, or guide if you will, to make this one. We like it and think it gives the car a 'finished' look about it. Back in the day these covers were a very popular accessory that really served a good purpose. Terry Wiegand South Hutchinson, Kansas AACA Life Member #947918 HI Terry, thanks for the description, I have been watching your progress with your car and am looking forward to the start up! Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 (edited) Paul, I have been working on this item as well. Sorry that I have only been collecting ideas up to now. I did buy the materials, it is just not on the work list yet. Here are some of the options that you will need to consider. Covering - Vinyl or Stayfast. I decided to make a stayfast canvas cover so that it would match my top. The canvas is a little dressier, but it may take a little more effort to clean. Exhaust soot may also add to the problem. You should be able to throw it in the wash, or clean it though. Vinyl is very forgiving and has a little more stretch. Also a comment by someone about if you wanted to embroider a logo. The rubber internal to the stayfast may not make you the best of friends with an embroider person as it may have a tendency to get on the needle. I had no issues sewing my top, so I don't know why an embroider would have a problem. Piping - Some use piping, some do not. If you do use piping, the vinyl covered "cord welting" is a little more durable than the extruded embossed PVC. Attachment - I have seen string used and in a circle to make it tight. I have also seen lacing hooks or eyelets used for attachment. Lacing hooks would make it easier to remove and reinstall. You should compensate a little for a new spare vs a worn spare. I have seen durable Dot snaps used, as well as Velcro. You should determine what you want to use ahead of time. I think the smooth circle on the back side looks best, then all attachment can be made on the front side or underneath the carrier where it is not seen. Hugh Edited July 11, 2021 by Hubert_25-25 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted July 11, 2021 Share Posted July 11, 2021 (edited) Photos 3,6 and 8 I sent. #8 being what is on my car. As you can see with snaps some adjustment is provided. The cover came from a 1950s fix up restoration of a 1927 model 24 roadster. When the owner was trying to sell it to me he gave me the extra cover as the car did have the hardware for double spares but was not installed. I believe the car had smaller Model A size 21" tires. I still have 5.25/5.50X21s on my car at present. The spare is a DUNLOP and is a 5.00-5.25 X 21. As you can see from the photo I have it at the last snap. Of course I would need to have new ones made to fit the 6.00X22" I will put on now that I have the correct wheels. So Hugh, you can go into production.... right? I will take 2.... Also the thought of getting a cover made for the 1925 Master which also takes 6.00X22" tires but has a 1/2 inch wider rim. The cover would need to also fit this slightly different cross section because the profile changes because of the rim width. A friend of mine made a vinyl patch with the Buick logo. It does not stick well to the modern vinyl convertible top material the cover is made from. Screen printing would have been done originally. A few more examples... 1924 Model 49. 1924 Model 45 Screen printed. 1923 Model 54. 1923 Model 55 Edited July 11, 2021 by dibarlaw (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 I'll see what I can do Larry. I have your pattern. I have to finish my seats first. These have got to be easier than making rear window frames. Hugh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - 29 Buick Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 Paul: Here are 2 photos of my full cover side mount covers - which I have never used, as well as one from the early to mid-50's showing the cover installed. Bill McLaughlin 1929 McL-Buick Roadster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul White Posted July 13, 2021 Author Share Posted July 13, 2021 8 hours ago, Bill - 29 Buick said: Paul: Here are 2 photos of my full cover side mount covers - which I have never used, as well as one from the early to mid-50's showing the cover installed. Bill McLaughlin 1929 McL-Buick Roadster. Hi Bill, thanks for taking the time to arrange the photos, are they made from some type of oil cloth as you suggested the one in the period image I posted at the beginning of the thread was? Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - 29 Buick Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 Paul: Yes, I’d say it’s an oil cloth type of material that is much the same as in your picture, maybe a bit heavier than I assumed. I can snip a small piece off the inside and mail it to you if you want. Send me your address in an email (Bill@29buick.ca). Bill McLaughlin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 (edited) Finally a few moments to post some spare tire cover "how to" notes. The dimensions on the drawing are for a 22-6.00 tire. This is a 1 year only tire size. If you want a good looking tire cover, adjust the size basis from what is on the drawing to the actual size of your tire. I made this from Stayfast to match the top, but Sunbrella is a less expensive and better alternative. Vinyl works well too. I did use a long piece of wire to pull the 1/8" cording thru the inner circle after sewing it. This is held on by a single 1/8" cord. A random pedestrian said my Buick looked "Presidential" so I think that is a befitting compliment for these early Buicks. Hugh Edited September 21, 2021 by Hubert_25-25 (see edit history) 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kikta Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 (edited) Very Nice Hugh! Here is my cover Edited September 28, 2021 by Mark Kikta (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul White Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 On 9/21/2021 at 1:29 PM, Hubert_25-25 said: Finally a few moments to post some spare tire cover "how to" notes. The dimensions on the drawing are for a 22-6.00 tire. This is a 1 year only tire size. If you want a good looking tire cover, adjust the size basis from what is on the drawing to the actual size of your tire. I made this from Stayfast to match the top, but Sunbrella is a less expensive and better alternative. Vinyl works well too. I did use a long piece of wire to pull the 1/8" cording thru the inner circle after sewing it. This is held on by a single 1/8" cord. A random pedestrian said my Buick looked "Presidential" so I think that is a befitting compliment for these early Buicks. Hugh Hi Hugh, Once again your attention to details is amazing, thanks for sharing your hard work Cheers Paul 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcslr Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 This thread title implies that this fabric cover was used on all Buicks before 33. Is that true? I'd have thought side mounts on roadsters and coupes (??) would have been metal. Just trying to learn. Thanks, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 Here are a few 1931s with metal covers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul White Posted November 3, 2021 Author Share Posted November 3, 2021 another period image with a tire cover similar to that which started this thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 The other thing to note is the way Buick pinched the vinyl that covered the tops with the fake landau bars. It is an interesting detail. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul White Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 Good evening all, I am planning to put together a photo article for the Buick Club of New South Wales magazine on the topic of historic and modern reproduction of spare tyre covers and would like to seek your permission to use your images. Hugh, i would especially like to include your wonderful plan if I may. Thank you in advance Yours Paul White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert_25-25 Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Paul, Sounds like an interesting article. Feel free to use what I have contributed. Hugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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