Has anyone ever noticed that the reproduction hub caps and the original ones (At least the Canadian ones) are different?


See pictures below for a comparison between original hub caps from an F-47 vs Dennis Carpenter reproduction ones.




Kirk

 

The reproductions look nice though..

 

 

Its hard to see because the new one is so shiney, but if you look at the picture of the hub cap from the back side the originals fold over in a smooth curve to a single lip, whereas the reproductions have a double terrace.


Once you see that, if you look at the front pictures again you can make out that the new one has a double terrace from the front as well.


Additionally original ford hubcaps from 1950 had blue lettering, (which I believe changed to red in later years)


Kirk

 

Perhaps the ones I have were only meant for innie wheels used at the time, but the later reproductions can handle innies or outties?


Could that be the difference?


Kirk

 

From what I know, the 48 to 52 were stainless with blue FORD letters. 1953 to 56 hubcaps were the same shape and size but were steel and painted argent silver with red FORD letters.

 

I have the original hub caps on my 1950 F-3. They are very hard to get on and off. No wonder they are all dented up. I suspect the repro ones are 1951 vintage. Notice they have a ring that sticks out some where they fit onto the wheel. That should make then a lot easier to get off.
I met the son of the 2nd owner of my old truck from Stacyville Iowa. He grew up with it in the 50s. He told me one day he had 5 flats. No wonder my hub caps have so many dents.