MTFCA Forum

Another question for the combined knowledge of the board... the parts box that came with my car included these four brass hub caps.. the car only had one old cap on the car.

I think the one on the car is original, given the clean definition of the letters, and the four brass ones are reports, given the less clean stamping and differing 'made in' font. Do you guys agree?

Thank you in advance for your time and opinions.

Andy B.

Yes.

You learn quickly, Grasshopper.

Here are a couple original caps that have slight differences. Then an original next to a reproduction cap I was practicing painting the background.

The higher "swoop" of the top of the "F" shown on three of the four hubcaps pictured by Corey W are earlier, and more desirable. Larry Smith is the expert on this detail. But I "think" the "high F" caps are basically a one year variation used late '12 and nearly all of 1913. I could be wrong on the specific timeline.
If I recall correctly, the true 1912 hubcaps had the same "High swoop" script, but no "MADE IN U S A", and script was centered.

Some great information was added by Keith Townsend to this other thread that I had missed.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3148

I believe both the hubcaps on the mattress pad are '13s. They have a much bigger script than the '14-17 style. I've been collecting these for years, and there is a definite difference.

Thank you all! I plan on making the repros a little more worn with the blackening agent that has been discussed until I can find suitable originals. Cheers!

Andy

I bought a set of new nickel plated hub caps for my '27. Some of the originals on the car don't fit well (slightly loose). Several of the the hub caps in my spare parts collection were cracked and are even looser. The reproduction hub caps don't seem to want to thread onto the fine threads of the hubs. I'm not sure if it is because the threads are damaged. Leaving the originals on for now.