House Wire Wheels

[mlb1949tbird]

We have a 1914 T touring with a set of "House" Quick Change wire wheels made in Buffalo NY by Wire Wheel Corp of America. We are looking to obtain the brass emblems that rivet to the spin on hub caps, Left Hand and Right Hand. I can email a picture of the one original emblem that we have. Any information on these wheels would help. Thanks, Mike

 

[jackrabbit]

Mike, check out this site machineplatesonline.com they mey be able to help.
Good luck Skip

 

[mlb1949tbird]

Thanks, I will check it out.

 

[mlb1949tbird]

Just to update this thread. We did find a set of House hub cap emblems on ebay. They are not quite made the same as the original but they look much better than no emblem. Attached are a couple of pictures of the hub cap and the wheel on our 1914 Model T. Does anyone else out there in Model T land have a set of House wheels on there T?

 

[Mike Peters]

I was told that these are Budd wheels. I have them on my '15 touring. They have adapter plates welded to the inside of the hub to bolt up to Model T brake drum in the rear and also the front hub. Originally, they were held onto a special hub with the hub cap in the same way your wheels are. Good luck finding hub caps!

 

[mlb1949tbird]

Hi Mike, The House wire wheels are virtually the same as the Buffalo brand of wire wheels for a model T. The only difference that I can see is the Hub Caps themselves. The house wheels have the two holes in the cap and the caps on Buffalo wheels have a hex nut shape on the outer part of the cap. Both House, Houk and Buffalo wire wheels were sold by Wire Wheel Corp of Buffalo. At some point around 1920 they quit selling the house brand. I noticed your postings on your wheels. It almost looks to me like your wheels were originally made that way with the plates welded in to adapt to a T. I would like to find a good thorough history on the wire wheels. spring is here!!

 

[mlb1949tbird]

Just to update on the progress of our 1914 T touring with the House wire wheels. We did an initial test run of about 20 miles. the wheels worked great not steering problems at all, in runs straight and smooth. We did have a problem with the water pump pushing way to much water through the radiator. We had water getting onto the windshield. My dad trimmed the pump impeller and installed a chevy 160 thermostat. We then took a 30 mile run and had no problems. It looks great and runs great, ready fun summer fun. When purchased this last winter the T just had rotten remnents of a top. We have top irons ordered, but we are told it could be a few more months before we get them and can install a top. the car is done other than that.

 

[Roadster62]

The wheels look GREAT! I'd love to have a set on my 1912. Have you done any research to find out whel the House wheels first hit the market, and when the company became the Buffalo Wire Wheel Co? Bob

 

[mlb1949tbird]

From what I have found out so far. I don't know when the House Wheel production first started. I know it was before 1916 and I think they were originally produced in Springfield Mass. until WW1. In 1915 -16 Wire Wheel Corp was formed and they bought the patent rights and production of several Wire Wheel companies. Wire Wheel Corp located the Corp Offices and Houk Wheel, then later House wheel, production at Buffalo, NY. They sold the Houk and House brands. I don't know when the Buffalo brand was first produced, but it was also sold, and maybe produced, by Wire Wheel Corp I know in the 20's. Houk and House Wheels were also later manufactured and distributed in Canada by the Ajax Wheel Co. I would like to find out more details someday. According to ads at one time you could buy a complete set of five wheels with the hubs and caps for $60!!

 

[23hack]

Yes, tbird. You're too late. They sold out of ALL those $60 sets.

 

[jg61hawk]

Hi all. Jim from NJ here...came over from the A side. Just helped an 81 year old guy with a 1918 T take off his wheels. We made a tool (crudely) to fit into the indents. I see a release is in one hole and the other is a dead end. Is there a tool sold for these? I would buy the correct tool for the reinstallation. Thanks.