Im picking up a 47 ford coupe next week. I have a set of 50-53 olds wheel covers coming. Im in a little time crunch trying to do a few things to the car before the lonestar roundup. My question is will the olds caps fit the stock 16" wheel or will i need a special offset wheel. Or can they be adapted to trim rings. Like people do with caddy sombreros. Like this thread http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-caddy-sombrero-mounting-with-epoxy.225872/ Thanks guys
Yes they are. Just wondering if anyone has done it. Maybe by adapting the wheel cover to a 16" trim ring
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-15-caps-to-16-the-hubcap-trick.328128/ Anybody ever try this trick?
Back in the 70-80's Ford F-250's used 55-56 Ford full covers on their 16.5 rims with an adapter so it can be done. I remember my first Moon discs were pop riveted to trim rings so I could take them off easily. Good luck.
So is that what everyone does thats running wheel covers? They use 15" rims? I really dont want to buy new wheels and tires. The tires that are on the car are in good shape. Ill figure something out. Thanks
That's one of the reasons most don't run 16" wheels. Not many options. Other then the Commercial Cadillac 16" sombreros there is not much out there. And with adapting a 15" you will have to deal with the valve stem hole being in the wrong place. as is shown in the link. Plus I believe if the 47 wheels are like the 41's not all covers will clear the raised area in the middle of the wheel. If you stalk e-bay you may find some vintage Lyons 16" covers or some single bar flippers. But usually the ones in good shape are singles or if a set they are costly. Good luck and let us know what you come up with. Torchie
Yeah not really wanting to shell out $800 On some new tires right now. I guess ill just roll the trim rings and dog dish to the roundup.
Any body ever seen a set of these caddy sombrero caps sold by night prowlers? Then sort of resemble a real sombrero. They are 16"
Haven't seen them. Are they 16" across or for a 16" wheel ? 16" wheel covers are more like 17-1/4" across. That why when buying the Caddy sombreros off of e-bay you need to ask that question as well, as some of them are listed as 16"(Which is the measurement across) but they are for the 15" wheels. Torchie
They don't look like Cadillac sombreros to me. They're more like a shallower '53 stude cap with a Cadillac emblem.
Torchie is correct, I was going to do the same thing- attach Olds caps to 16" trim rings for my 46 Ford. The problem is the wheel dishes out so far and the cap dishes in so far that they hit long before the edge of the cap hits the trim ring. I have a friend running 15" Ford wheels and he had to press the cap flatter to get the to work. You can see the gap in this pic. I lucked out and found a set of knock off Olds caps in 16". I like the look of 16" tires waaaay better then 15's on 41-48 Fords. Good luck
Love your car Chris, been watching it come together on instagram.,looks great. I agree about the 16" wheels looking better. I think im just gonna hold out for some 16" caps. Heres mine. I plan on removing the visor, putting the skirts back on. Probably just do a down and dirty shackle drop, 1" up front, 3" in the rear. Try to make it to austin like that
Sorry, it is a 49 but I do have the 16" wheels up front that came on most 6 cylinder cars. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be finding caps either. 16" Caddy sombreros way out of my price range as they seem to have only been on limo's and ambulances. Scored these on ebay for 4 (1 of the 4 is mismatched though for $100. No one can identify them but I really like. Lyons caps come up now and then there also. ny them!
Yep. Those are cool. The Caddy sombrero that fits the 16" wheels came off of the series 75 vehicles which in Cadillac speak meant Limos or chassis that were used for hearses and ambulances. Plus add the fact that they were chromed and not stainless so they can get expensive to restore. When I was looking for mine I talked to a guy that had quite a few and his going rate was $450 a cover and they needed to be re-plated. As has been posted if you stalk e-bay or the hamb want for sale adds you will find something. Torchie
Those are cool . I saw a pair of 16" sombreros on ebay a couple weeks ago. $500 and they were pretty rough
I could really see them on a early fifties style Frank Mack inspired T or A roadster, with a race car nose and a full hood.
Well i dont have to worry about fitting the olds caps to 15" rims. Picked up these 16" lyon caps. Just need to get them cleaned up and polished. And repaint the crest
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