Go To Cars Home | Add to Favorites
Hubcaps Or Wheel Covers, What’s In A Name?
Cars and trucks built before about 1935 came on wire spoke wheels with small metal caps installed to seal the wheel hub on the axle. Those early "HUBcaps" were smaller than 3" in diameter, made of heavy gauge plated steel hammered onto the hub of the wheel. Their main function was to keep dirt out of the spindle nut and the wheel bearings.
In the 1930s, automobiles transitioned from mere modes of transportation to statements of status and style. Hubcaps became more decorative than functional. The ‘dog dish’ style was born, chrome hemispheres 9 inches in diameter, covering the lug nuts and the center of the wheel. About the same time, wheel technology advanced and spoke wheels were replaced by wheels formed from stamped steel.
In the ‘40s, Cadillac lead the pack in adding sparkling chrome by the acre: bumpers, grills, trim lines, window borders, hood ornaments, hood vents, headlights, running boards, etc. Increasing the size of the chrome hubcaps added reflective surface.
By the ‘50s, hubcap diameters increased to the point they covered the entire steel wheel with chrome. Many of this period were flat rounds looking like chrome Frisbees, with little design differentiation. It was during this time the term ‘wheel cover’ came into use.
Over the last 50 years, the terms ‘hubcaps’ and ‘wheel covers’ have become synonymous as the lightweight, full-diameter decorative coverings of standard steel wheels.
One of the hallmarks of modern hubcaps is their interchangeability. Nearly any hubcap of the correct size will fit any standard steel wheel that will take a hubcap. This means that changing styles is very easy. We are not limited to those styles designed by our particular auto manufacturer.
If you would like to read this article with pictures of classic cars that illustrate the examples given, go to http://www.autoamenity.com/FAQ/Hubcap-Wheelcover.htm
About the author:
Phil Sollecito is the webmaster for AutoAmenity, Seattle retailer of hubcaps, wheelskins, wheel simulators, grill inserts, and other automotive trim products. http://www.autoamenity.com
Source: Article Directory
Choosing The Right Car… The Key To Fall Adventure
(ARA) – Driving, across the country or merely a state line or two, is the quintessential sport. Our cars transport us to destinations like family reunions, vacations and honeymoons. You won’t find it on the front page of the sports section, but driving, windows down, music blaring and sunshine hot on yo...
Parts Train Expands Facility To Serve Your Auto Parts Needs
Parts Train continues to position itself as the leading source of high quality auto parts for almost all makes, domestic or import. Parts Train is the nation's leading internet direct marketer of automotive aftermarket collision replacement parts and accessories. It has provided excellent auto parts to repair shops, auto mechanics, and installation outlets, even to do-it-yourself consumers. Parts Train maintains a very comprehensive catalogue of parts and accessories in its modern and complete facilities. Recently, to serve further the needs of its growing consumer base, Parts Train has expanded its facility by 40,000 squa...
A Little Rubber Hose--your Life Depends On It!
I won't go into details with this job, but I wantyou to think about it.Your brakes are very important. Your life dependon them.When you have to have brakes repaired on yourfavorite vehicle, don't skimp.Sure, it looks like all you need is a set of pads,or shoes. But, if the pads or shoes are wore out,what about the other parts?I don't recommend having the rotors or drums turned.I know, a lot of technicians will tell you that you will have better braking if you turn them.On the small cars with the removable rotors on thefront, I have had some turned, and then I had tobuy the customer a new set of rotors and pads!For some reason, the little rotors seem to eat thepads, after you have them turned.They are not that expensive. Go...
|
 |
|
|
Cars - 5 Ways To Find Volvo Parts
You love your Volvo, right. However, its time to replace a part, it could something that is hidden like a fan belt or a prominent piece of the vehicle such as the emblem or steering wheel. It really doesn't matter what part needs replacing, what matters is the quality and price of the replacement part. You have worked hard for your Volvo and you deserve genuine Volvo replacement parts. These tips will explain the best way to locate these parts.1- When you are looking for a replacement part, be it a replacement visor or a clutch master cylinder, the array of available sources can be hard to sift through. If price is not a concern for you, the dealership is one of the best choices around and even if price is an issue, the dealer is usually the best place to start. They will be able to gi... |  |
| Cars - Volvo Electric Powered Concept Sports Car And Volvo Replacement Parts
While major U.S. automakers are focusing on hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, Volvo took a different route, unveiling a sports car powered entirely with lithium-ion batteries. Volvo's 3CC concept car, won "Best Design" and five Gold Standards at the recent Michelin Challenge Bibendum environmental competition in Shanghai, China."Not only does the 3CC combine classic Volvo styling cues with exotic gull-wing doors and a tapered, 2+1 seating configuration, but it does so with a highly advanced lithium-ion battery electric drive train. That's a step apart from the crowd, which these days is largely focused on hybrid and fuel cell concepts," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal. "Just as the earlier ECC forwarded new thought in hybrid p... | |
| Cars - Your Cars Electrical System
When the automotive industry was in its infancy, it used electricity only to ignite the fuel inside the engine. By the late 1920's, the electric starter replaced the hand crank, electric headlights made acetylene lamps obsolete and the braying of the electric horn drowned out the squeak of the hand-squeezed air horn. Today, an automobile requires an elaborate electrical system of circuits just to produce, store, and distribute all the electricity it requires simply for everyday operation. The first major component in the electrical system is the battery. The battery is used to store power for starting, and for running auxiliary devices such as clocks, radios and alarms when the engine is off. The next major component is the starter motor, which is used to start th... | |
| Cars - Ford Parts Dealer Stays Attuned To Ford's Superior Standards
Ford vehicles have always been loved for their technologically advanced powertrain and suspension components, sturdy body parts, solid construction, superb design and high quality interior auto parts. In the truck and SUV segment, Ford has particularly established a highly respectable name through its top-notch vehicles such as the Ford Escape, the best-selling small SUV; Ford F-150, the best-selling pickup truck for 28 years now; Ford Ranger, America's best-selling compact pickup; and Ford Escape Hybrid, the first full hybrid SUV in the world. With Ford's success in the industry, there is no doubt about its high standards in designing and creating cars, minivans, SUVs and trucks that are powerfu... | |
| Cars - Honda Environmental Technology Advances With Honda Accord Hybrid And Honda Fuel Cell Stack
Employing Variable Cylinder Management technology (VCM), Honda Accord Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle to deactivate three of its engine's six cylinders in certain conditions like highway cruising for greater fuel efficiency without affecting its performance. The new 2005 V6 Accord Hybrid integrates the fuel economy of a four cylinder compact Civic and high-level performance.Combining VCM with Honda's I... | |
| Cars - How To Purchase A Used Car
Buying a used car is a bit trickier than buying a new car although you can follow most of the same guidelines for both.First, know what car you have in mind. Research the car. There is a wealth of information online. Check the car manufacturers web site, consumer reports and the edmunds.com. web site. Know the approximate value of the car before you head out to the dealer. Go to your bank or to your credit union before you go shopping and see how much money they'll be able to lend you on a used car. This way you'll have a much better idea what you can realistically spend.Realize that there are many different models of the same car. You may not find exactly the car with all the extras you want, or the exact c... | |
| Cars - Restyling Dodge Omni Using Quality Replacement Parts From Auto Parts Deal
Auto Parts Deal features this time one of the Dodge’s prominent cars, the Dodge Omni. Let’s take a closer look at this vehicle and this number one Auto Parts Deal store’s superior quality Dodge parts for Dodge Omni. FlashbackDodge Omni is Dodge’s lucky charm. It was introduced at a time when Chrysler, Dodge’s parent company, was facing great financial difficulties. In its efforts to save the company from its demise, Chrysler sought for the US government’s financial help. The Dodge Omni and its twin model, the Plymouth Horizon, which were new that time showed great potential; thus, the government granted Chrysler’s loan. The Dodge Omni was indeed a great vehicle. Its hatchback body style signified its utility and versa... | |
| Cars - Ford Moves Aggressively For Mainstream Navigation System
Ford now looks at the latest trend for auto manufacturers of putting navigation system on mainstream cars even as an option.Among the six Ford 2006 Ford Motor vehicles to offer navigation systems are the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr and Mercury Mountaineer while the other four nameplates are said to be the Ford Explorer and Explorer Sport Trac ... | |
| Cars - Chevy Silverado Hybrid Pickup 2005 Revs It Up In Performance Parts At Partstrain
Vehicles with bigger, less fuel-efficient engines will benefit more from hybrid technology, thus big pickup trucks, vans and SUVs are prime candidates for the gas-saving benefits of hybrid technology. The Chevy Silverado hybrid pickup feature GM's 5300 Vortec V-8 and Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission, coupled with hybrid technology that delivers 10 to 12 percent improved fuel economy over GM half-ton pickups. It features a powerful 42-volt lead-acid battery pack underneath the rear seat, an auxiliary starter-generator between the engine an... | |
| Cars - What Car Donations Do
Many people ask why about most things in their lives, especially when it comes to a sacrifice that they must make. One of these aspects in life includes work done for noble causes. This includes donations, charity work and volunteer work for the greater good. Many people need to see on paper why they should do such a thing like donate their car. There are social reasons as well as personal reasons that you will want to donate a car. Read below for more.The Social Reasons for Donating a VehicleThe social reasons for car donations are innumerable. There are so many services that are available to the community when cars are donated. Volunteers of America has a Vehicle Donation Program that is dedicated to helping the community through the charitable donation of cars.Volunteers of America offers children and yo... | |
|
|
