Are they center caps, wheel covers or hubcaps? Is there a similarity among them? What was the real reason for them? To the most part, these types of questions probably tend not to cross most individuals thoughts but, it does raise some curiosity.

Hubcaps have gotten equally as much love as the cars they go on. Even the Chrysler Building honors hub caps with the art deco style found there.

So, how did they come around to begin with? At first, they were required. In the beginning, automobiles used wooden spokes. These spokes linked the outside rim to hub where the wheel bearing is at. The wheel bearing is packed with grease. A cover was necessary to keep the grease in and the dirt out.

Now you know why it was created. The center cap was covered while using the minor cap and the spokes were left open towards the elements. Suffice it to say, the spokes didn’t have a extended life. Polished and usually decked out with pin striping, age produced them unattractive with cracks. Old spokes could be heard coming from far away.

The late twenties and thirties, saw a design change to steel wire-spokes. These needed wheel center caps as well. As with all the previous pattern, the spokes were even now left bare. The thirties, require took second play to fashion. Hubcaps got larger and were stamped by the vehicle maker with their name in stainless steel or brass and were meant for being decorative, nevertheless, the spokes were still left bare. They were hard to clean and were irritating due to the fact of the wind noise they created on the road.

In 1934, Cadillac created the 1st disc that enveloped the whole wheel. It created a streamlined visual appeal.

1938 ushered from the use of pressed steel wheels by Cadillac. These hubcaps were full sized. Cadillac built them a sign of comfort and elegance. Soon, Cadillac owners realized their hubcaps were in high demand when they were stolen by hot rodders. These hot rodders utilized them for the customized autos from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

The 1970’s brought the beginning of the use of plastic hubcaps by automobile manufacturers on the cars. Steel hubcaps were tossed aside during the 80’s and plastic hubcaps persisted on. Plastic immediately makes people think of cheap and easily broken pieces. That is untrue with this plastic. The plastic used on hubcaps is weightless, strong and robust. Some weightless hubcaps come right off a car. Keep in mind that automobile manufacturers produce these items that are not all that perfect either. They also come off with ease. It is not enough to have all these things combined though. All hubcaps have to have an unyielding retention system. A 360 degree, all steel retention ring is the absolute best. It simply holds on to the wheel and holds the hubcap in place.

Since you are now an authority when it comes to the history of the hubcap, you can wow your friends at the next get together with the info that you have come to understand. You may not wow them but maybe you were pleased with learning a little history that most folks don’t know.