1918 Buick Hubcaps needed - Trying again

[DAVE A]

Trying again to find hubcaps for my 1918 Buick Centerdoor 4 cylinder.   Here are pictures of the cap I need.   They are 2 7/8 diameter , aluminum, with the block print word Buick going from point to point in the Octagon on top.  Thanks to all who tried in the past.  I have purchased a number of similar caps but size always ended up wrong.   

[1937 Buick 66C]

Dave,

 

We have a member (Dave Schneider) in our local club who has a warehouse full of hubcaps and wheel covers for sale.  He might have one or more of these.  He can be reached at 970-667-1720 or email: sneedley@msn.com.

[Larry Schramm]

Note, These are NOT the correct caps for your car.  As a reference they look close, but the BUICK on your correct caps go from corner to corner, not flat to flat like these. Easiest way to identify along with size.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285607257844?mkevt=1&mkpid=0&emsid=e11021.m43.l1120&mkcid=7&ch=osgood&euid=0868cc2a52ea48b7874e9f9fc52e9642&bu=43186898688&ut=RU&osub=-1~1&crd=20231215070244&segname=11021

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[raydurr]

Maybe.

Ebay item 285607257844

[Larry Schramm]

1 hour ago, raydurr said:

Maybe.

Ebay item 285607257844

See my email to you

[DAVE A]

As Larry pointed out the BUICK goes from Point to point on my correct hubcap and is 2 7/8 in diameter.  The caps on e-bat are 2 1/2 and Buick goes flat to flat.   Close but no cigar!!    How do you solve this problem if caps can simply not be found?   

[MCHinson]

2 hours ago, DAVE A said:

   How do you solve this problem if caps can simply not be found?   

Someone can cast reproductions using your good one as a sample. 

 

3D printing might be another option. Probably neither of these two ideas are going to be as cheap as finding some original ones. 

[cxgvd]

Just a thought, Is there a way to contact folks who collect hub caps?  I searched for groups on Facebook without success, however, they must have a way to swap, buy and sell.

[Brian_Heil]

This site on Facebook looks promising 

 

[Grant L. Meredith]

There is a lot of this style of caps on eBay. One set looked brand new. Good luck hunting.  

[Larry Schramm]

On 12/22/2023 at 3:59 PM, Grant L. Meredith said:

There is a lot of this style of caps on eBay. One set looked brand new. Good luck hunting.  

 

Link to caps?

[Grant L. Meredith]

I’ll try to link it Larry.  Many different sellers have tin caps and has brass caps.  Looked it over I don’t see one exactly like the one pictured. More 1920s style. 
I’ll keep looking though

[Larry Schramm]

The first cap is the only cap that I know of that will fit on 1917 & 1918 E3x series vehicles and also the E-4 truck.

 

Those are the 4 cylinder Buicks for those two years.

 

Notice that the BUICK goes between the angle part of the cap on the left picture and not the flats on the second cap.

 

The correct cap is ALUMINUM.  Brass caps need not apply.

 

                                     Correct Cap 

 

 

<

 

                                 Wrong Cap

Edited January 23 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[Terry Wiegand]

I've been following this for a while and the question that I want to ask is this - what years and models used the Aluminum caps?  I could be wrong on this, but did the 6-Cylinder models use Aluminum caps?  Also, what year was the first for Aluminum caps?  Several years ago at Chickasha there was a fellow who had a set of 4 Buick Brass hubcaps that were absolutely mint condition.  I almost bought them but something just told me that they would not fit the 6-Cylinder hubs.  The fellow was asking $100.00 for the 4.  They were from the right era for my '16 because they had the block letters.  I believe 1923 was the first year that used the script style caps.  I hope that someone will correct me if I am wrong on that.

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

AACA Life Member #947918

[Grant L. Meredith]

Here is something close. On eBay 

[Larry Schramm]

I would say that this is a correct cap.  Not in great condition, but the correct cap.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193189566935?hash=item2cfafed9d7:g:6G8AAOSwpiNZsVuX&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4HxzSbYXshoTQ8WozWWfqLbLWKPW0Aj6kBGRAAd51f5D05ks257DH%2F2XPmLM4WBnpfCfJ2PjOmkzMQxy5SaNSTUlASFeSDHWQx5PV5C3dvRx9HOPt5IvdvM9ztiFgOdElhZnF8cJiH4noNzneOpEgorwPBoysAw%2Fb%2BQXtg5n%2Fft0X2GE%2BkVwqjBIuV%2Fl23vJazho%2FtRhDEZ2gCeDIyetHV6JUQxmQ2KWkOgv85kUO0QYTxtWQ%2FtXpxaUTrhERh1sQsjCsvAZE5BOasIxKGLaUww%2BRSJi6QrhpduzEqgRmJjU|tkp%3ABFBM7KHZspdj

[DAVE A]

Thanks Larry, I'll try it!!

[DAVE A]

Larry; 

     I received the hubcap today.  Size is right, block letters in correct position, I think we have a winner. In rough shape but better than nothing.  Only difference is the center on this one is painted black.   I wonder if they used the same cap on other years?  Anyway, thanks for your expertise.  Still would take a few more if found!!

                                      Dave

 

 

 

[Larry Schramm]

On 1/8/2024 at 9:58 PM, DAVE A said:

Larry; 

     I received the hubcap today.  Size is right, block letters in correct position, I think we have a winner. In rough shape but better than nothing.  Only difference is the center on this one is painted black.   I wonder if they used the same cap on other years?  Anyway, thanks for your expertise.  Still would take a few more if found!!

                                      Dave

 

 

 

 

Dave,

 

You are welcome.  I would say that they are supposed to have the black background, but the black has worn off.  I would just repaint all of the caps with the background black.  Polish/fix first, the paint.

 

Larry

[Leif Holmberg]

Picture of 1919-1920 K-H hub cap.

[Larry Schramm]

On 1/14/2024 at 8:02 AM, Leif Holmberg said:

Picture of 1919-1920 K-H hub cap.

 

That hub cap is larger than the one he is looking for.

[Leif Holmberg]

My intension was to show when this type of hub cap started.

[Grant L. Meredith]

Just saw this on prewarcars. Maybe this might help

[Grant L. Meredith]

Here is another set for sale

[DAVE A]

Thanks for the thought Grant and Leif.   Both of you have shown 6 cylinder hubcaps.  I think all of you may be correct that they were originally black in the center around the block letters BUICK.   On the 4 cylinder the word BUICK goes from angle to angle on the cap and is approx 2 3/4 in diameter on the round end (threaded on inside) .  On the 6 cylinder it goes from flat to flat and is larger.  BTW if anyone needs a set of 6 cylinder caps, I have 5 of them.  

[Grant L. Meredith]

I’m only happy to help out! 🙂

[Grant L. Meredith]

[Larry Schramm]

On 1/21/2024 at 1:27 AM, Grant L. Meredith said:

 

Not the correct caps

[Grant L. Meredith]

Ok. Lookes close.  Maybe someone would need them. One has a split in it. Other looks good

[DAVE A]

Grant;

     Again 6 cylinder caps.   The 4 cylinder are smaller (about 2 7/8" diameter) , made of aluminum , and the word Buick in block print go corner to corner instead of flat to flat like these.  Thanks for continuing to look!!

                                        Dave

 

[DAVE A]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have now secured enough hubcaps for my 1918.  Thanks to all of you who helped me find them.  They are at the metal polisher to put them in tip top shape.   I should even have a spare or two when I am done.  I also have a set of Brass 6 cylinder caps that I picked up on the way!!