Would anyone out there know what these awesome wheel covers are on Dave Leather's awesome chopped 51 Ford Victoria in the background, and where I can get some? (photo taken from TRJ - I hope that's ok???) Cheers, Dave
Kind of far, they could be Cadillac Sumbreros with a slight modification, pretty sure they are 1953. Here is an Ebay ad http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAP...em=171146822129&vectorid=229466#ht_3078wt_919
Yes, 1953 Cadillac that someone added bullets to the center. I've got a full set of 4 stashed away in my loft. I've owned them forever and they are mint. Still not sure what car to put them on.
I do not see anyone making repros just yet. I think there are still decent ones out there for sale, lots of originals on Ebay and a few on craigslist. They seem to make the 52s repo for some reason. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/4118496346.html
While the covers in question are '53 Cadillac.....they are not sombreros. The Caddy wheel covers known as Sombreros range from about '46 thru'52 and are deeply contoured, much like the Mexican hat after which they are named. I have always liked the gentle convex shape of the '53 caps.........no matter what they are called.
I seem to remember reading that the Cadillac caps only fit certain wheels - Anyone else know for sure before our friend downunder spends his hard earned money
The '53 Cad wheel covers have a return flange behind the edge of the front face. It's possible to attach them to a 15" beauty ring with sheet metal screws, and the ring is just barely visible when it's all together.
I'm loving the 54 Ford Lions Crest wheelcovers at the moment, and think they'd be perfect for my 55 build... Would they fit? Is $450 for these redone ones a good price? http://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/e1105...50863710229&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123
Seems pretty rich to me, but it might cost you that to duplicate them. Take a look at these guys (not a recommendation, but a good reference): http://www.hubcaps.org/
Hi 50Fraud. Hubcaps.org sells them at $100 ea anyways, and they don't have them in stock. And the ones on eBay look to be in awesome condition... Do you think they'll fit my smoothie rims? Do you think they're good for a 55 period-correct custom 52 Victoria? Dave
I'd hate to see you put wheel covers on those chrome rims you have, that would scratch the chrome all to hell. Better to get some painted rims the same size, swap your tires to those and use the wheel covers over the painted rims. Somebody will buy the chrome smoothies off you and you can turn that money into wheel covers! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Hey Canada Jeff. I though I'd try the chrome and see if I liked it, because I could only buy the rims chromed or primed, and would have had to paint them anyway. I don't like the chrome, and I love the look of a black (or red) rim around the edge of the wheelcover...
Oh, I gotcha. I'm sort of in the same spot myself right now. I have the same chrome smoothies on my car, but am seriously thinking about switching to painted rims and wheel covers to help back-date the car a little, and allow me to change up the look from time to time with different caps. Good luck in your search. Those 53 Caddy caps are beautiful! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Exactly what I'm doing - converting my custom from a 60s looking one to mid 54/55. I do love the 53 Caddy wheelcovers, but aren't a massive fan of them stock standard, so I think they'll be too much work I think to look like those on Dave Leather's purple 51... And I'm also absolutely in love with the 54 Ford wheelcovers, almost more than the 53 Caddy. And I think they'll look period perfect on my 52 once I lower it more, put on fender skirts, change the tail-lights to 53 Ford with 54 Olds lenses, and paint the rims black (or red)...
$100.00 a hubcap is about all I would pay. You need to figure in shipping down under also. just one man's opinion.
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