Who's Got the Best Spare Covers

[Smurkey]

Which seller has the most authentic spare tire covers? I got some from a certain supplier and am not overly impressed. They're well made enough, but look nothing like the 30s era ones I've seen. These are smooth Naugahyde--no pattern...looks like a bar stool cover.

Maybe they're all the same supplier and there's no difference. Any thoughts?

Steve

 

[gpits68]

I have often thought the same thing , I have seen old pictures that the spare tire covers had the dealership name on them . That would be cool to have one with an old dealership name or even your local Model A club name , for example Skyline A's .

 

[P.S.]

I use lacquer thinner to remove the silkscreen logo from the new ones. That giant blue over white silkscreen Ford logo just looks too gay. After removing the logo, some 303 treatment makes them look pretty good (for repros).

 

[Brian SATX]

IF you want cloth ones, Lebarron Bonney makes soime that hold up. Look somewhat like canvas.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

I haven't seen any repro covers that are close to original. I have an original in fair condition and hope to make a close copy of it someday.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Minerva came with a new black one, with a Ford logo, fit like crap, gave it away!
Saw a neat one on a '30 Sedan, on the Buenes Airies Model A club website, BUT, it's all in spanish & I wasn't able to find who made it?? It was Black, with a Ford logo, & it covered the tire & part of the wheel spokes. It's center hole was about 10" in diameter & fit very good & gave it a REALLY good look.
Vermin has 16's, who makes one that fits well?? I have to "PROTECT" my OOOLD Lester spare! I kuldn't afford a new Coker, jist to hang back there & risk it being STOLEN, whin I wuzn't guarding it with my .40 Caliber GLOCK!--Bill W.
(BUT, if I missed & blew a hole in Vermin, Ted sed he cain't fix a hole thet big & we'd have to travel CLEAN to Alabama to git PURDY to fix it, But, thet's alright, then we could take him these 47 coffee cans we've saved, for him to store his carbs in, so's the BUGS frum the woods don't git in them!)

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Tom, is "SOMEDAY" a song title? Like, "Someday, I'll FINISH Vermin" It sounds better when FIDO accompanys me with a little howling!---Bill W.

 

[Arlen]

Lebaron makes beautiful cloth ones. I've seen others before made out of closed car top material. Not sure if they were custom made but looked really cool and seems like it would be easy to make.

 

[BlueSunoco]

The 'new' covers look so bad on the spare tire, your car actually looks better with NO spare tire cover on it! Model A Fords as they appear in nature.

We had one on our Tudor that was an old repop from the early 60's(?)and it actually looked pretty good. The Ford logo was behind an isinglass like looking material that was sewed onto the cover. Never saw another one like that.

My father-in-law deep-sixed the one that came on his '30 Coupe and it increased the curb appeal of his car at LEAST 50% it looked that tacky.

 

[P.S.]

We had one on our Tudor that was an old repop from the early 60's(?)and it actually looked pretty good. The Ford logo was behind an isinglass like looking material that was sewed onto the cover.

I have one of those that is tan colored. The logo is smaller and less "in your face" than the new silkscreened ones. It has some kind of clear material over the logo sewn on. Very interesting. I didn't use it because the tan just didn't look right on my car. Figured I would hang on to it and use it as trading material for some part I needed someday.

 

[Rowdy]

I have only seen a couple of them that I liked. For the most part I am not a fan of the covers, but do like a plain SS ring over the tire. have to agree most of the new ones border on tacky. Just my style I guesse. Rod

 

[newshirt]

Figured I'd add these excerpts from the RG&JS. Everybody probably already has these, but thought they might be handy for quick reference while reading the thread.

I'm considering pulling my farby cover off. The car is probably more authentic without a tire cover. What's the downside? None... as far as I can tell.

From RG&JS, Page 16-12. The first accessory available from Ford dealers was the fabric tire cover. Before the tire cover introduction, many dealers installed locally purchased tire covers with their own name imprinted on the face. Tire covers were made from a unique black artificial leather and appeared to be small diamonds oriented perpendicular to each other. A 5-3/8” by 2-9/16” Ford script blue oval was painted on the top face of the cover. This was outlined by two oval lines. The Ford name and two lines were sliver in color. These covers were constructed with a stiffening wire one the outside edge off the face and another wire was used on the back edge to pull the cover tight over the tire. A special fastener was wing nut secured the pull wire and kept it tight. All hardware was cadmium plated. In July 1931, the back side pull wire was replaced with elastic material. Tire covers were made by Hinson and may have an identification tag with their name.

 

[Smurkey]

^^^See, those would be cool if reproduced. I'm thinking my new purchases are going to sit in the "extra parts box".

 

[CarlG]

My pickup came with one. While it did keep the spare from weather checking like the tires on the ground did, it just didn't look right to me. IMHO, my spare looks better with no cover.

 

[Deluxe Delivery Don]

Here is a Spare Tire Cover on My Grandfathers 1930 Deluxe Delivery .Picture was taken in 1931 ,Notice the Tire Cover does not fit perfectly.

 

[Big John]

Im sure a reputabile auto upholstery shop such as LB or a local shop could make whatever you wanted...agree some covers are actually gaudy....

 

[BlueSunoco]

I have one of those that is tan colored. The logo is smaller and less "in your face" than the new silkscreened ones. It has some kind of clear material over the logo sewn on. Very interesting. I didn't use it because the tan just didn't look right on my car. Figured I would hang on to it and use it as trading material for some part I needed someday.

Yes P.S.,,, our's is black I hung onto it and put it in the garage on a shelf. Has an elastic back so I know it isn't original as they had a wire draw if I recall! Fits the 21" tire assy. The plastic looking isinglass cover over the Ford emblem is getting pretty yellowed these days. Had this since about 1970. Was on the car before that.

 

[al's28/33]

They look better without in my opinion, cool to have one with original dealer name or advertisement.

 

[Bick in New Zealand]

Here are a few samples from my files. I don't know who took the pics so unfortunately cannot give them credit.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Here is the Ford logo on my original 21" spare tire cover.