Re: 300C Hubcap

["Wayne Graefen" <wgraefen@xxxx>]

I think Thomas is correct that there is no reference to the basic
two C hubcap styles in the C Handbook. I know I wrote something at
one time and I'm virtually certain it was in early editions of the
Book but it must have gotten dropped sometime in all the editing and
rearranging that has gone on over the years and editions.

There were indeed two basic appearances of 300C hubcaps. The
presumption is that there were two suppliers to the factory for the
hubcaps. It does not appear to have been a running change at some
point in the production year.
One has a hollow cast pot metal center where the three "wings" or
"flippers" (my preference) are cast onto the center cone. This
style cap is by far less common than the second type. It is similar
to the 300D hollow cast pot metal center but without the center hole
for the D's plastic medallion.
The second type has a stamped stainless center and three chromed pot
metal wings or flippers that are kept in place by a short stud or
post and a screw for attachment.

Beyond these two basic types, George Riehl has proven to me with
photos that there are several variations that are most easily
noticeable from the back or wheel side of the hubcap but these are
not immediately relevant to the current discussion. The existence
of these other variations is probably not a case of a larger
multiple of suppliers to the factory but rather minor engineering
changes during the year for ease of assembly by the two basic
suppliers.

For a couple of years John Lazenby and I offered perfect
reproductions of the flippers through the club publications. We
only had one hundred cast and chromed and because it took 2 years
plus to sell those few (and keep a set of 12 per car each for
ourselves) we had no more cast. We really thought there was a
market for them because of them being prone to badly pitting.

One aside here. I do not agree that Mr. Miller's hubcap is rotating
on the wheel due to imbalance of the cap due to one missing flipper.
It is far more likely that the problem is tire and wheel balance and
that due to the hubcap having been on and off wheels many times in
46 years that the tangs holding it have become less able to hold the
cap in place. The cap should be addressed with a pair of pliers to
bend the tangs for greater pressure against the wheel. That and a
rebalance still might not be the solution as the stainless of the
hubcap is fatiguing from age and mounting. In that case a bolt down
steel valve stem is the answer.

It is mentioned in the Technical Talk chapter of the C Handbook
under Hub Cap Availability, that the " '57 Imperial LeBaron hubcaps
are physically identical to the 300C hubcaps with the exception of
the Flag Red painted center" of the C hubcap.

I'll get back into my C Handbook Authenticity file today and make
sure that further printings of Sixth Edition once again include a
paragraph or two on the two basic styles of C hubcap. Thanks to
Thomas for bringing this to my attention!

Wayne