The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Hubcap Project

Our truck has disc brakes and Camaro rear end so it now requires 5 bolt wheels. However, I still want to use the original 1954 hubcaps. My proposed solution is to mate newer hubcaps to the original ones.

I made a prototype with some beat up hubcaps:
[img]http://members.shaw.ca/ghillsden/chev54_files/Hubcap/hubcap-001web.jpg[/img]

The aluminum cap was carved up with a sabre saw:
[img]http://members.shaw.ca/ghillsden/chev54_files/Hubcap/hubcap-002web.jpg[/img]

The aluminum tabs were formed to fit the curve of the 1954 hubcap. The two caps were then pop rivetted together: (sorry about the focus on this shot)
[img]http://members.shaw.ca/ghillsden/chev54_files/Hubcap/hubcap-003web.jpg[/img]

Here's what it looks like mounted on a rim: (This ugly rim is NOT going on the truck!)
[img]http://members.shaw.ca/ghillsden/chev54_files/Hubcap/hubcap-004web.jpg[/img]
[img]http://members.shaw.ca/ghillsden/chev54_files/Hubcap/hubcap-005web.jpg[/img]

So what do you think? Will it hold together? Will it come flying off the wheel at 60 MPH?
Comments appreciated.

Nice job on these to keep the original look!

I dunno about flying off. I check for a really snug fit that can't be pulled off by hand. Then on the next few short drives, look for any part of the hubcap working loose. After that, move on to highway speeds and be prepared for a hubcap retrieve on the initial runs.

Good luck!

Looks really good. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Nice work. Looks like you're a good problem solver. Thanks for sharing your idea.

Great work--let us know how the "tests at speed" go!

Man, some folks have all the talent!! The true test will come when you have to unexpectedly swerve to miss something and the rim flexes. If it stays on you have done one heckofajob!!

Hey, thanks for the compliments. This was an easy job. I think anybody can do the same thing. It took less than a hour including stopping to take photos.

My concern is that the steel 1954 hubcap is much heavier than the aluminum dog dish cap. Will the mount be strong enough to hold? However, it does take a pretty good pry to separate the cap from the wheel, so I think it will be OK.

So its off to the wreckers tomorrow to get some more dog dishes...

You Might be a Stovebolter if you make your own hubcaps....Neat Job...Don't forget to apply for the patten...LOL