Best reproduction 30-31 hubcaps

Who sells the best (closest to original look and finish) reproduction hubcaps for 1930-31 19" wheels?

I need 5.

Is "special" tool really needed to spread the tangs in back for proper fit?

Anyone willing to rent/loan "the tool" in Nor Cal (Placerville/Auburn/Grass Valley/Sac)?

Thanks, Clem
 
The best I found was from Bratton's. I think the new catalog says around $26 each and no, you don't need a special tool.
 
Al Lepore of A+L made one of the best versions. This is the "expensive" $26 one, not the $8 version. More "rounded" in the script area. Very subtle....
 
Be sure to install the hubcaps with the wheel off of the car and bend them over from the back. Don't bend all of them, save some for later. Maybe a little silicone to stop rattling.

Charlie Stephens
 
Clem,

As noted above, buy the best from;
A&L Parts Specialties
Box 310
Canton, CT. 06019
860.693.0112

Unfortunately, Al Lepore passed away this last week. See threads below about that. His business will carry on. I think Walt Bratton gets his hubcaps from A&L as well. The prices quoted are worth it for the quality you get!

You don't need a special tool. When I mount them, I spread about five or six of the tabs over. But, I run a thin bead of silicone around the edge to help them stay in place and prevent a little rattle that can drive you nuts looking for it. That's just my way of doing it, there's bound to be other good suggestions too.

Dave Lopes
 
A+L Hub caps are the best repro and will be for sometime - [the time and investment he had in this last die he had made plus the cost no one will follow his lead. Bratton's sells A+L's Caps as SHOW 1930/31's caps $26.00 ..There was 1 cap in between the LATER cap and Early cap. That one does not have the FULL reinforced steel liner , there's a circle center large as w/ Ford script circle on outside of cap. If i were you i would buy 1 extra ,just incase a wheel should drop flat on the cap.It happens. Its a ***** to pull a dent out of those.
 
Here is a related question, there had to be somewere around 10 million 30-31 hubcaps made during the Model A production, how come you never see an original? Fourty some years in the hobby and I may have seen 2-3 at the most on flea market piles.
 
Roadster62 ................
I have noticed that too. Original "A" hubcaps are scarce ! They must have all been junked with the wheels, over the years. But, the wheels are not that scarce. And most do not have hubcaps. Perhaps the tabs broke away ??????
MIKE :)
 
Who sells the best (closest to original look and finish) reproduction hubcaps for 1930-31 19" wheels?

I need 5.

Is "special" tool really needed to spread the tangs in back for proper fit?

Anyone willing to rent/loan "the tool" in Nor Cal (Placerville/Auburn/Grass Valley/Sac)?

Thanks, Clem

I do think that the vendors now sell a rubber ring to help with the rattling.

Since someone gets a 50% point deduction for reproduction parts are you sure that the additional cost for the purchase or the best hubcaps is worth it? (8x5=40, 26x5=130 almost 80 saved) Maybe the money saved could go to the purchase of original caps in the future.
 
Interesting responses. I have collected hubcaps and valve hardware for years, and, I too have found that decent quality 30-31 hubcps are not an often found item at the swaps. Junkers are not that common either. I'm not going to offer an opinion as to why, there's probably hundreds of logical reason, but I agree with that observation that there just aren't many around. I've got a number, and they all need some serious help!

Regarding the extra cost of the better caps from A & L. I do think they're worth it, again, my opinion. Those hubcaps are very close to the originals. The texture of brand new stainless can be spotted rather easily, so an observer knows it's a repro. But, with a little work on the polishing wheel, an A & L hubcap can be transformed into a hubcap that is tough to distinguish from an original. There are a number of different scripts and edge contours on the originals. But again, running a set of high quality A & L's that have been doctored to remove the texture that brand new stainless has, has and will, fool many people looking at them, even when they're looking very closely. Judges, when they do not know for sure if a part is repro, should give the part the benefit of the doubt, and score it as original.

Dave Lopes
 
It amazes me when some folks (not pointing at anyone here in particular) balk at paying $26 for a really, really nice hubcap for their 80 year old car. Holy cow, go price a hubcap for your modern iron sometime to see what a huge bargain that $26 is.......

Of course, money is tighter for some than others and I know that but still we are talking about something that is right out in the open for all to see, and not all that much money. Yeah, I would like to find a set of NOS 30-31 hubcaps wrapped in Ford paper myself but probably not gonna happen.
 
Hey Greg. If that happens, I'll trade you for a set of new old stock, in the Ford box, '29 hubcaps! I could really use a set of nos 30 hubcaps! I won't be holding my breath though.

Dave Lopes
 
Great piont Greg! How many people think their hourly labor rate is worth $26.00? Could you "restore" a hubcap in an hour? Could you list some junk on eBay and make $26.00 an hour? :confused:
It amazes me when some folks (not pointing at anyone here in particular) balk at paying $26 for a really, really nice hubcap for their 80 year old car. Holy cow, go price a hubcap for your modern iron sometime to see what a huge bargain that $26 is.......

Of course, money is tighter for some than others and I know that but still we are talking about something that is right out in the open for all to see, and not all that much money. Yeah, I would like to find a set of NOS 30-31 hubcaps wrapped in Ford paper myself but probably not gonna happen.
 
...with a little work on the polishing wheel, an A & L hubcap can be transformed into a hubcap that is tough to distinguish from an original. Judges, when they do not know for sure if a part is repro, should give the part the benefit of the doubt, and score it as original.

Great to hear!!!! Ok then, A&L with elbow grease it is!
 
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