| 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Set (4) |
$875 |
January 2023 |
eBay |
| 1930s Packard Hub Cap |
$450 |
March 2023 |
Hemmings Auction |
| 1963 Split Window Corvette (NOS) |
$1,200 |
October 2022 |
Barrett-Jackson |
| 1950s Mercury Full Set |
$625 |
May 2023 |
Hubcap Mike |
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</table>
Condition Grading Scale
Mint/NOS (New Old Stock)
- Never installed
- Original factory finish
- No damage, scratches, or wear
- May include original packaging
Excellent
- Minimal wear
- Original finish intact
- No significant dents or damage
- May show very minor signs of age
Good
- Light scratches or minor dings
- Some dulling of finish
- Original design elements all present
- Fully functional
Fair
- Visible scratches, dings, or minor dents
- Faded or worn finish
- May have minor repairs
- All major design elements intact
Poor
- Significant damage or missing parts
- Heavy corrosion or finish deterioration
- Major repairs needed
- Collectible primarily for rare models
Restoration Considerations
The decision to restore a vintage hubcap is not always straightforward. While restoration can improve appearance, improper restoration can actually decrease value for rare pieces where originality is prized.
When to Restore:
- Common models in poor condition
- Hubcaps needed for vehicle restoration
- Significant damage that affects display quality
When to Preserve Original Condition:
- Rare, high-value examples
- Hubcaps with historical significance
- Pieces with attractive natural patina
Restoration Techniques:
- Metal straightening for dents
- Chrome replating (for severely damaged chrome)
- Gentle polishing for lightly oxidized chrome
- Emblem repainting (using correct colors)
- Clip and mounting hardware replacement
For hubcaps in good original condition, many experts recommend only gentle cleaning with mild soap and water, followed by appropriate metal polish for chrome or stainless steel components. Aluminum hubcaps may benefit from specific aluminum polishes to remove oxidation.
Documentation Best Practices
For each hubcap in your collection, maintain records including:
- Manufacturer and model identification
- Year or era of production
- Original vehicle application
- Acquisition details (date, source, price)
- Condition notes and restoration history
- Research information and reference materials
- Photographs from multiple angles
Display Options
Popular display methods include:
- Wall-mounted displays (custom hooks or purpose-built racks)
- Cabinet displays with lighting
- Themed groupings (by manufacturer, era, or design style)
- Rotating displays that showcase both front and back
- Incorporation into automotive-themed decor
Storage Considerations
When not on display, proper storage helps preserve condition:
- Wrap in acid-free tissue or soft cloth
- Store in climate-controlled environment
- Avoid stacking without protective layers
- Use padded storage bins or custom racks
- Keep away from extreme temperature fluctuations and humidity
According to Collectors Weekly, “Most hubcaps feature a vehicle’s logo, be it the Chevy bow tie, Ford oval, or Chrysler ‘pentastar.’ Some brands, though, stuck to plain old geometry.” This variety in design makes thematic organization particularly appealing for many collectors.
Hubcap Identification Resources
Valuable reference materials and websites for hubcap collectors
Current Market Trends
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Rising Demand for 1950s-1960s American Classics: Chrome hubcaps from the “Golden Age” of American automotive design continue to appreciate in value, particularly for desirable models like early Thunderbirds, Corvettes, and Cadillacs.
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Increasing Interest in Foreign Classics: Growing collector interest in vintage European and Japanese vehicles has driven demand for corresponding hubcaps, especially for sports cars and luxury models.
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Premium for Factory Correctness: The restoration market places high value on period-correct, original hubcaps for authentic restorations, driving prices for NOS and excellent original examples.
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Online Marketplace Growth: Dedicated online sellers and auction sites have expanded the market, making rare examples more accessible while also educating buyers about authentication.
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Niche Collecting Categories: Sub-specialties have emerged within hubcap collecting, including dog dish hubcaps, performance car hubcaps, and luxury marques, each with dedicated collector bases.
Investment Considerations
For those considering hubcaps as investments:
-
Rarity and Condition: As with most collectibles, rare models in excellent original condition offer the best appreciation potential.
-
Documentation and Provenance: Hubcaps with verifiable history, original packaging, or documentation command premium prices.
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Complete Sets: Complete matching sets of four hubcaps typically sell for significantly more than the sum of individual pieces.
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Storage Costs vs. Appreciation: Unlike some collectibles, hubcaps are relatively easy and inexpensive to store properly, improving the cost-benefit ratio for long-term holding.
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Market Knowledge: Investment success requires deep understanding of manufacturer rarity, production figures, and model desirability.
Common Questions About Vintage Hubcap Identification
What are the different types of hubcaps?
Hubcaps come in several key categories:
- Center Caps: Cover only the center portion of the wheel
- Dog Dish Hubcaps: Simple, smaller caps that cover the center and lug nuts
- Full Wheel Covers: Cover the entire wheel face except the outer rim
- Spinner Hubcaps: Feature a spinning center component
- Wire Wheel Covers: Simulate the appearance of wire wheels
By material, they are typically made of plastic, metal, or a combination. By mounting system, they come in two main styles: clip-on (which slot into a groove) and bolt-on (secured with lug nuts).
What are old hubcaps made of?
The materials used in vintage hubcaps varied by era:
- 1920s-1930s: Early hubcaps were typically made of brass, stamped steel, or aluminum
- 1940s-1950s: Chrome-plated steel dominated this era, with stainless steel used for premium models
- 1960s-1970s: Continued use of chrome-plated steel and stainless steel, with some aluminum components
- 1980s-Present: ABS plastic became the dominant material, often chrome-plated or painted to simulate metal
Manufacturing techniques also evolved from simple stamped designs to complex multi-piece assemblies with integrated emblems and decorative elements.
When did they stop using metal hubcaps?
The transition from metal to plastic hubcaps occurred gradually during the 1970s and 1980s. By the late 1980s, ABS plastic wheel covers had largely replaced traditional steel hubcaps on most production vehicles.
Several factors drove this change:
- Weight reduction for fuel efficiency
- Cost savings in manufacturing
- Design flexibility offered by plastic molding
- Corrosion resistance
- Safety considerations (less dangerous if detached)
Premium and luxury vehicles maintained metal hubcaps longer than economy models, but by the 1990s, even these had largely transitioned to plastic or moved to alloy wheels without hubcaps.
How do I identify the manufacturer of an old hubcap?
To identify a hubcap's manufacturer:
- Look for logos or emblems - Most manufacturers included their distinctive brand symbols
- Check for part numbers - Often stamped on the reverse side
- Examine text markings - May include manufacturer name, model, or size information
- Research distinctive design elements - Some brands had signature styling cues
- Compare with reference materials - Catalogs, websites, and collector guides
- Consult expert communities - Automotive forums often help with difficult identifications
If the hubcap lacks obvious manufacturer markings, look for design elements typical of specific eras and manufacturers, such as the distinctive styling of 1950s Cadillac or Ford hubcaps.
What is the most valuable type of vintage hubcap?
The most valuable vintage hubcaps typically come from:
- Rare limited production vehicles - Particularly one-year-only special models
- Pre-war luxury automobiles - Packard, Cadillac, and other premium brands
- Early sports cars - First-generation Corvette and Thunderbird hubcaps
- Muscle car era performance vehicles - Especially those with special trim packages
- New Old Stock (NOS) examples - Unused in original packaging
Specific examples of high-value hubcaps include 1953-55 Corvette hubcaps, 1950s Cadillac Eldorado Brougham hubcaps, and early Packard hubcaps with cloisonné emblems.
Condition is crucial—mint examples can command prices 3-5 times higher than the same hubcap in poor condition.
How can I tell if a hubcap is original or a reproduction?
Distinguishing authentic vintage hubcaps from reproductions requires examining:
- Material quality - Original chrome often has a warmer tone than modern reproductions
- Weight - Authentic pieces are typically heavier with thicker metal
- Manufacturer markings - Correct font styles and stamp positioning
- Construction details - Authentic joining methods and fastening systems
- Wear patterns - Natural aging vs. artificial distressing
- Backside details - Original manufacturing marks and part numbers
For valuable rare hubcaps, consider consulting with established dealers or automotive restoration specialists who can authenticate questionable examples.
Where can I sell my collection of vintage hubcaps?
Popular venues for selling vintage hubcaps include:
- Specialized automotive swap meets - Direct access to collector community
- Online auction platforms - eBay, Bring a Trailer, Hemmings Auctions
- Dedicated hubcap dealers - Businesses like Hubcap Mike specialize in vintage examples
- Classic car restoration shops - Often purchase correct hubcaps for client projects
- Collector forums and classified sections - Direct sales to other enthusiasts
- Social media marketplace groups - Facebook groups dedicated to vintage auto parts
- Antique malls and vintage shops - For decorative and display-quality pieces
For valuable collections, consider getting appraisals from multiple sources before selling.
Whether you’re a dedicated collector, a vehicle restorer seeking period-correct parts, or simply an admirer of automotive history, the world of vintage hubcaps offers accessible entry points and endless opportunities for discovery. From the simple elegance of early brass-era caps to the flamboyant chrome designs of the 1950s, each hubcap tells a story about the vehicle it adorned and the era that produced it.
The skills of identification and authentication covered in this guide provide the foundation for appreciating these often-overlooked automotive artifacts. As you develop your eye for distinguishing manufacturers, eras, and authentic examples, you’ll find that what might have once appeared to be “just hubcaps” are in fact miniature industrial art pieces worthy of collection and preservation.
For those interested in starting their own collection, resources like Hubcaps.org and Hubcap Mike offer both inventory and educational resources. Online communities like the Antique Automobile Club of America Forums provide opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts and expand your knowledge.
Whether displayed on walls, incorporated into automotive-themed decor, or carefully stored for future vehicle restorations, vintage hubcaps continue to capture the imagination of collectors and preserve an important aspect of automotive heritage for future generations to enjoy.
