General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Metal

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

N/A

Width

12.0 cm

Height

2.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Motorized Ground Transportation

Category

Automotive parts

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

REO

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Michigan

City

Lansing

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Hub caps are collector's items.

Function

Cover put on automobile wheels to enhance its aesthetic appearance or aerodynamism and to protect the wheel bolts from mud and dust.

Technical

In 1901, Ransom Eli Olds developed the first Oldsmobile and was the first to manufacture vehicles at a low cost for the mass market, contributing to the growth of the U.S. automotive industry. In 1904, Olds founded the Reo Motor Car Company, originally known as R.E. Olds Motor Car Company; however, due to copyright infringement with Olds Motor Works, the name was later changed to Reo. Unfortunately, Olds was not a good business manager and the company suffered from financial troubles, especially with the rise of manufacturing giants, such as Ford and General Motors. In 1954, the company was sold to the Bohn Aluminum and Brass Company, which became a subsidiary under the White Motor Company in 1957. Reo was then merged with Diamond T Trucks in 1967 and became Diamond Reo Trucks, Inc.; however the company filed for bankruptcy in 1967 and its assets were liquidated. Today, R.E. Olds is considered a pioneer in the design and manufacture of American automobiles (National Park Service). Originally, hub caps date back to the horse-drawn era and afterwards to the first automobiles when wheels were made of wooden spokes connected to the center hub. The hub contained the wheel bearing, which was packed with grease. The hub cap was a small device used to cover the center hub to keep the dust out and the grease in. Eventually, car manufacturers replaced the wooden spokes with steel wire spokes in the 1920’s and 1930’s. As a result the hub cap evolved into a wheel cover, which is a large disc that covers most of the wheel. Wheel covers continue to serve a functional purpose but they have also become a decorative design feature of the wheel.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Letters 'REO' in raised letters (polished metal) Iin disk centre

Missing

N/A

Finish

Possible polished metal surface (possible silver electroplated)/ black paint used in decorative details/ condition: black paint worn in center, metal surface tarnished base, metal shows through finish

Decoration

Depressed ring running around circumference (at edge) filled with black paint/ depressed disk in center (painted black)