I'v often wondered if its ok to use earlier stuff on a car that was made before the car was made. Probably not "period correct" in the tradition sense but more like "period possible". Heres my reasoning, I'm thinking of putting a set of 54 Cad sombreros on my 57 Chevy when I get some 15" wheels for her. This might not sound like a traditional mod on a '57 Chevy, but it WOULD have been possible back in the day to go get a set of older cad caps and stick them on your brand new '57. So is that traditional or more like a "modern traditional" thing or something. Anybody have opinions on this subject?
Yeah, I agree with that. I'll do what I want no matter what. But I've just always wondered if it's considered traditional or not.
While some frown on the practice, you certainly don't have to look far to find vintage examples. For instance; this '57 Ford features not only a '54 Chevy grille, but '56 pickup headlight rings as well (a common modification). How about the '41 Caddy tail light lenses on this Clarkaiser built '50 Ford? And are those '41 Lincoln push-****ons? When the newly introduced T-Birds ushered in a new styling era, Ina Mae Overman actually had Model A bumpers insalled on her Valley Customs built ride. And since you have a '57 Chevy, how about the '53 grille teeth on this beauty? Two of the more impressive recent builds, both '59 Chevys (an El Camino and a wagon) feature early wheel covers.
There really weren't many rules in the days we now call "traditonal." You would go to a junkyard (yes, they were called junkyards back then, not this newfangled auto recycler stuff) and if you saw some neat part that you thought would fit on your car and look cool you used it. I think whenever we start worrying about if something fits an era or whatever we take the fun and creativity out of the hobby. Don
What's the problem? Hotrodders got a lot of parts from the junk yard...no web sites back then. I do notice 58 Buick finned aluminum drums on a car that's trying to look like it was built in the 40s.
As long as you dont stray too far from the era of car your building, I don't see a problem. With hubcaps I personally dont think it matters. The problem comes when trying to mix 2 completely different eras, like putting lakes pipes and white walls on a 70s or 80s pick up. I read someone's opinion once that said to keep the year range of parts to with in 10 years of the year of the car. How many of these 40's era builds have SBCs in them? How many people put wide whites on late 60's cars? Its your car do what you think looks good.
I've got old z28 wheels on my daily driver S-10. I can imagine that if a certain wheel cover fit the style and budget of the car, it would've been thrown on regardless of age back then as well.
This is a good discussion. I was thinking of that Elco with the Cad caps but I didn't have any pics of it, and I love the Model A bumpers on the T-Bird, that's Kool with a Kapitol K. I have a Motor Trend customizing book from '52 that shows all kinds of early 20's and 30's parts on 40's and 50's Kustoms. Anybody have any more pics?
Up to a point, I don't think it matters either way, year-wise. You can put older wheels / wheel covers on your 50-60s project, or update it a little with with vintage mags. Gary
I think we would all agree that 1930s wire wheels on 57 chevrolet or 63 impala would be inappropriate, but I would say just about any 1950s part would be historically correct on any year 1950s car. In the past, the same as today people used things on their car that looked good to them and had ready access to. Those Cadillac caps would look great on your car...and besides as you said, do whatever you want it's your car.
there an ot ford f100 in cl***ic truck this month. has an engine 7 years older than the truck itself! but it works and looks great
I always wondered what a set of 6 lug 30's Chevy wires would look like on a 46-48 Chevy fastback...guess thats pushin' it a little.
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