Hey all. I have scored a set of original Sombreros that I plan on using on my 1949 Merc. They don't fit the stock wheels. I'm looking for solutions to this problem, so I'd like to know how any of you out there have gone about this on your own car. Thanks for the help, Happy Holidays!
Epoxying them to regular trim rings has been detailed here, just do a search. I was all excited to use this method to attatch my '51 Pontiac full wheel covers to some trim rings, but these are smaller diameter, despite the fact they're for 15" wheels, and any trim rings I have found would show around the Pontiac cap.
maybe this will help..not sure if its the same application as your..... http://www.ruffrodders.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31633
Brad Masterson just did an article on this in one of the latest mags. Rod & Custom?? I can't remember, I read so many of 'em... I'm gonna use Sombreros on my chevy (some day) so, located a set of 5 original '50 cadillac wheels for it. That way the caps will actually 'fit'. I know of course I'll have to change the bolt pattern on the car to 5". But, I have that all worked out...
Here's the tech thread on mounting sombrero's: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225872
they hit on the hubcap bumps after i adapted trim rings to them on my 50 merc so i used some ford 1/2 ton p/u wheels 1969 or so.hope this helps. B
I did that little tech article way back in 2005, but I have actually come up with a better way to mount them using resin epoxy and the newer style "teeth" that come out of later model truck caps. Not old school, I know, but easy to do and reliable. The cut up beauty ring works too but they were a nightmare to get off! (which is good I guess)
That's a really great way to install them as well! I like the idea he came up with of the all thread and washer to hold it tight while the epoxy sets...good stuff... Rob
So, did you cut the edge of the late model cap off with a cut off wheel, then crimp the edge of Sombrero cap over this "ring" to hold it (and it's teeth) to the cap?
Another way to do it is. Weld a dog dish cap (that fits your rim) to the (cut down) mounting cone / cap ? thing on the cad wheel cover. I did some this way because I was working with a $ nice $ set of new repo sombreros and didn’t want to experiment w crimping or welding on the nice finished edge. Make a jig from an extra rim by cutting the bolt center out. Tack the two caps together on the rim - remove and finish weld.
So-will the Caddy cap fit on a "stock" shoebox rim? You know they aren't very shallow - I have '56 Olds on now and had to pop out the center like Watson did on Grapevine.
Go buy Traditional Rod & Kulture, aside from being an awesome mag, winter 2010 issue has a article about just this topic
Yes, the "teeth" ring came from newer style 16" truck hubcaps with the plastic removed. What you have left is a row of teeth that will need to be shortened about 1.5" or so. To do that, just place the teeth in the outer edge of the hubcap and mark where the ends meet, then trim and tack weld the joint together. Then, trim a small amount off of the teeth and shove the edge under the lip of the Caddy sombrero. It will actually stay in on it's own a little bit, but the epoxy poured into the perimeter really does the job. Hope that makes sense and helps... Rob
In my experience, I've learned that you are better off with offset (deeper face) rims to allow for the depth of the Caddy sombrero. If not, they tend to stick out about 1/4" or so. I was able to make mine flush with the edge of the rim. Rob
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