Hub Cap opinion wanted

Marco Tahtaras said:
What do you think?

hubcaps-30.jpg
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Very interesting, thanks Marco
 
Brother Hesekiel said:
I don't want to be a smart ***, but if it takes a spectral-analysis, carbon-probing, or DNA-testing to tell an original apart from a reproduction, I'd say it's nothing to lose sleep over.
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I'm with you, if you're going to get mad at someone because he may not be that concerned about 100% "authenticity" then maybe it's time to take a break. My old model a truck still has the original air in the tires, maybe I can sell it to one of these guys.................
 
Brother Hesekiel said:
I don't want to be a smart ***, but if it takes a spectral-analysis, carbon-probing, or DNA-testing to tell an original apart from a reproduction, I'd say it's nothing to lose sleep over.
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Excuse me but that happens to be the main reason many of us are HERE...we do loose sleep over it when we do fine point restorations and only want to be sure. It is important to a great deal of us, hence the question that was asked.
 
I do not have a show car but i am interested in finding more out original parts. Thanks to all of you who take the time to do the research.
 
Everybody loves original, as something is only original once. There's a saying that "a competent restorer will leave no trace." What that means is that a perfectly restored vehicle will look like it has never been restored. The same maxim applies to a perfectly recreated hubcap. If a concours judge is not able to tell with certainty if it's an original or a reproduction, all I can say is "job well done." If a concours judge one day will not be able to tell a Brookville body from a perfectly restored original, where does that leave those who claim theirs is original?

We complain about poor reproduction parts, point out (correctly) that a well made reproduction part should be indistinguishable from an original, but when that goal has been accomplished, we are still not happy. For those who don't get it, this is not about putting down people, it's about encouraging a discussion about the subject of reproduction parts.
 
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Brother Hesekiel said:
We complain about poor reproduction parts, point out (correctly) that a well made reproduction part should be indistinguishable from an original, but when that goal has been accomplished, we are still not happy. For those who don't get it, this is not about putting down people, it's about encouraging a discussion about the subject of reproduction parts.
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That goal has only been accomplished when there is no visible or functional difference REGARDLESS of who is comparing. It has NOT been accomplished just because your next door neighbor can't see any difference! People wouldn't ask if they had the answers. Folks that don't care won't ask. Folks that that want to know HOPEFULLY will ask and receive an answer that suits their needs.
 
A restoration project is like choosing to take flight. Do you wish to fly with eagles, where the view is greatest, or are you satisfied to parade with the pigeons? Either is fine, but all flight should be respected.
 
Will, I may not be able to see the Eagles view yet but my prop is still pointing upward. I'm finally out of economy and up into business class. I can see Eagle tail feathers in the distance. :eek:
 
Marco Tahtaras said:
That goal has only been accomplished when there is no visible or functional difference REGARDLESS of who is comparing. It has NOT been accomplished just because your next door neighbor can't see any difference!
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I'll take your word for it.

But if it takes forensic research to distinguish a quality reproduction from an original, I'd say we're getting close to the ultimate goal. After all, we -- those of us who don't have enormously deep pockets yet desire enjoying and driving our cars as much as a wealthy enthusiasts -- were asking for manufacturers to step up and produce quality reproductions of items that are nearly impossible to find in excellent condition. To me, having quality reproduction hubcaps on my car is more desirable to me than driving without hubcaps or with crappy reproductions.

But I recognize of course that there are those for whom a 100% correct all-Henry car is almost a mystical experience. As it stands, a set of NOS fenders can cost $1,500 each for up to $6,000 a set, yet if Rootlieb were able to produce reproduction fenders that are indistinguishable from Henry's own, for half the money, those folks would still not buy them. Perhaps the day will come where cars up for fine points judging will need a certification sticker on certain items, like inside the hub caps. Not sure if this elitism will be beneficial in supporting the hobby and encouraging more people to join in.
 
forever4 said:
Perhaps if you attended a national meet and were involved in some manner you would realize it is not about either elitism or deep pockets, though deep pockets may help.

It is all about authenticity and a group of people striving for knowledge, understanding, and pursuit of restoring a car as Henry intended it be built.

Having people in the peanut gallery with no involvement or aspirations in the finer points throwing stones at those who do is also not beneficial to the hobby.
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You hit the nail on the HEAD !!...
 
Originals have a sharp edge, clear script and domed center circle. A&L show quality caps are really nice close examples to originals. Ford also produced a chrome cap that has a lip around the edge instead of a smooth sharp edge. I think these caps were experimental during the production years and were only sold for service sometime after production.
 
I know that JC Whitney sold 30-31 hubcaps with the ring arround the outer edge. They sold a cheaper steel version that was chrome plated that didn't hold up very long. The stainless version was good but not for a points show car. I prefer the hub caps without an inner liner because they can be easily straightened if bent, not so with the caps with a steel liner.
 
Hubcap NS.JPG
The NS hub cap stands for Noblitt and Sparks ([FONT=&quot]Dr. Frank H. Sparks, Quintin G. Noblitt ).
[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]I worked for a company Arvin Industries (was formerly Noblitt and Sparks) that was a tear 1 supplier for Ford Mufflers. We did build the Model A muffler. When we were NS we built tire pumps, hub caps, brake levers, radiator outlet tubes, heaters, mirrors and jacks for the Model A. We had what was called running changes and the prints would not get changed. These running changes would get what was called a deviation. We could produce the product although it was not to part print for so many days. So part prints are not always up to date per production parts deviations. The deviations would not go into the level change box on part prints. Today Ford, Chrysler and General Motors use the same deviation. The deviations today has all three logos on the top header of the deviation. [/FONT]
 
I always find it amusing, but will never understand. Those who frequent a restoration site and have so much time on their hands to read posts and comment negatively on things they have no intrest in or understanding of. I can think of dozens of things I wish I had that time for.....
 
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