General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

5

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Steel.

Dimensions

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

Length

38.0 cm

Width

5.2 cm

Height

N/A

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

Studebaker

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

City

Hamilton

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Studebaker's presence in Canada goes back to 1910-1911 when the company was the American distributor of the E-M-F cars being built in Walkerville, Ontario. Studebaker will acquire the American E-M-F Co. and gain at the same time, control of the E-M-F-Co. of Canada. The Studebaker Corporation of Canada was thus formed. They continued production in Canada until 1936. In 1948, production started again in Canada in Hamilton. In 1955, when the parent firm took over the Packard Motor Car Co, the Canadian company became Studebaker-Packard of Canada Ltd. In 1962, the Packard name was taken off to become Studebaker of Canada Limited. In 1963, all Studebaker production was concentrated at the Hamilton plant after cessation of the American production at South Bend, Indiana. But as the market demand for their cars continued to decline, ultimately, the Hamilton plant closed also in 1966. Wheel covers are collectors' items. They are part of the car culture.

Function

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

Technical

.1 to .4 were surely made in Canada, in the Hamilton plant. As for .5, we do not know for sure. Originally, wheel covers go back to the horse-drawn era and afterwards, to the first automobiles when wheels were made of wooden spokes connected to the center hub which contained the wheel bearing. As the wheel bearing was packed with grease, something was needed to cover the center hub to keep the dust out and the grease in. This was the hub cap. Eventually, car manufacturers will change for wheels with steel wire spokes in the 1920's, 1930's. The hub cap was still needed but became at the same time a decorative design feature still covering only the hub. In 1934, Cadillac will introduce its new model with a stainless steel disc which covered most of the wheel. Other manufacturers will follow. In the 1970's, manufacturers began to introduce wheel covers made with ABS plastic which resemble like chrome or brushed aluminium. It is a rugged material, durable and light.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Center of hub caps read: "[Studebaker logo: S]"

Missing

N/A

Finish

Chrome plated.

Decoration

N/A