Art & Inspiration Cool Vintage Radiator Caps

The cap was on the car why I got it. I'm sure that it was not an original cap on the car. The car came out of Illinois.

 

Love your little Lakester...

 

Two of mine. One old, one not so old.







I used a magnifying glass to read the fine print, and the top is a Boyce Moto Meter from Long Island City. The other is a Cal Custom which was so badly pitted that I painted it.

 

That's a killer Hotrod @HotRodsbyMouse ...thanks for sharing that...I'd like to see more...do you have a Thread on it?
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Nice Deco Caps Uncle...I believe this to be 33 Chev and I did dig a patent out on it at the link below...the Art is as beautiful as the Caps themselves...Thanks for sharing...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/cool-vintage-radiator-caps.1103166/page-3#post-13035149
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The Moto Meters like many of the Ornaments had to be installed by drilling into the Caps...I suspect many a garage were enlisted to do that or a friend that had a drill press and some know how...​

 

Hi Stogy, The one at the top is a 34 Chevy which I have, but it's in the garage. I remember my dad had a 29 A and had a motor meter on his radiator. It was all one piece and screwed on the radiator.

 

I made this out of a "Grant " wheel horn button and a valve cover wing nut to fill the hole on the grill shell. The actual radiator cap is behind the radiator...

 

Yes I'm sure there were factory built Meters through contracts but I believe they were available as an adaptive aftermarket item so all could benefit from this device for keeping things cool...I suppose the advent of in dash gauges effected this and we all know life moves on even though some enjoy the old tried and trusted in all its primitive glory...

 

Using found or pleasing repurposed items very is Traditional in Hotrod...and as witnessed within this thread that can be mild to wild...it is a very focal upfront element no matter how it is perceived and like your ride you are at the controls...my cap is a dummy one also and the 29 Ford Cap even in its simplicity is nicely detailed.

 

The one I have was "personalized" for White Chevrolet. I suspect that they were available at the parts counter. I don't know the history on this one. My father had it and I believe it was from his family in some way.

 

this custom bodied Packard ended up in a pond at the concourse in Hilton Head S.C. in 2017 was completely underwater . Someone hit it into neutral and it rolled back into the pond

 

Wild Deco Masterpiece...John...I know your a gifted builder...is this your handiwork?...thanks for sharing...​

 

Really not a good day...

 

Not my work but was set up across from Hollywood Hot Rods
At last years grand national roadster show Its was some of their work. Very cool

 

Credit to Videographer, Owner
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...Brass Era Hop Ups are the Speedsters wider competitor...

Credit to Photographer, Owner
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...Hoodlum and the period culture are the real deal...and have been for quite some time...

This Hotrod has some pretty cool details, including Ole Pointy Tail thumbing his nose...

Credit to Photographer, Owner

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Here is a 28 Pontiac