53 hubcap prototype???
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 5
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53 hubcap prototype???
Anyone out there have any information on a original 1953 corvette hubcap? It’s been in same family for 40 years. What is different about this one is it is a 5 five piece hubcap. The main cap , The center cap, the bow tie and the 2 fins whereas all the original hubcaps I’ve seen is a 3 piece hubcap with It being a one piece cap with 2 fins.
Its not any type of reproduction, so maybe a prototype??? How rare is it ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 64
From: Nichols Florida
GM did a re-pop in 1976-78 time frame but because of US Spinner Law could not put the recesses in the cap for the spinners and they did not sell well. Someone coined the recesses in them and cast new fins and sold them, but can't recall who did that.
Ken
If you want a great book on GM and Corvette 1909 to 1955 see 'Corvette Legend or Myth & Zora's Marque of Excellence' by Ken Kayser. It has some real interesting information on GM's contribution to WWII. The title does not do justice to the information about the early period of GM he covers in the book.
Tyler
Ken
If you want a great book on GM and Corvette 1909 to 1955 see 'Corvette Legend or Myth & Zora's Marque of Excellence' by Ken Kayser. It has some real interesting information on GM's contribution to WWII. The title does not do justice to the information about the early period of GM he covers in the book.
Tyler
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
GM did a re-pop in 1976-78 time frame but because of US Spinner Law could not put the recesses in the cap for the spinners and they did not sell well. Someone coined the recesses in them and cast new fins and sold them, but can't recall who did that.
Ken
If you want a great book on GM and Corvette 1909 to 1955 see 'Corvette Legend or Myth & Zora's Marque of Excellence' by Ken Kayser. It has some real interesting information on GM's contribution to WWII. The title does not do justice to the information about the early period of GM he covers in the book.
Tyler
Ken
If you want a great book on GM and Corvette 1909 to 1955 see 'Corvette Legend or Myth & Zora's Marque of Excellence' by Ken Kayser. It has some real interesting information on GM's contribution to WWII. The title does not do justice to the information about the early period of GM he covers in the book.
Tyler
The last issue of the GM cap didn't have the recess for the spinners and I'm sure.... aside from that it was identical to the original caps. At one time I think... and please don't hold me to this but I believe Jerry Kohn used to be able to put the spinner indents in the caps... I think he offered this service but again I'm probably suffering from some-timer's disease...
I have Noland's book here too, he sent me a free copy since a fella that worked in my shop felt compelled to steal my original copy.... When I told him about it, he autographed a new copy and sent it to me for free.... Inside the front cover he wrote me a note ... I believe it said... and again I'd have to look... "Shop copy for Ernie, Noland Adams"... Such a good guy...
another odd thing is that the books were made in New Albany Indiana, just 4 miles from my office... so they went from NA to California then to where ever... Someday I should post a picture of it. It was funny... I used to be on an email thread with him.. My gosh I can't remember what the thread was.. I think it was CPRL or something like that... again I'm suffering from some-timers... so someone correct me. I was on this thread with Noland, I believe John H (john Z), MikeM, and a bunch of other people that are still on this forum.. but this was before the forum existed... Ernie
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Mar 9, 2019 at 09:54 PM.
