The Ford Barn

mercman from oz · 05-09-2018, 11:01 PM

Take a look at these two 1941 Mercury Hubcaps that are in my collection. Notice that they both are painted army colours, so obviously, they were originally fitted to 1941 Mercurys that were used in Military Service. However, what is fascinating is the way that were manufactured? The one on the left is a single pressing and is full Stainless Steel. This is how the hubcaps on all Australian assembled Fords from 1941 to 1948 were manufactured. The hubcap on the right is very unusual find in Australia, as it has a separate pressed section on the inside, which is very susceptible to rust, as the example shown shows. In my observation, this is how all USA Fords of this period were made. I realise that in 1942, all Mercury hubcaps had this separate section on the inside, on account of their larger outer diameter. Can anyone explain why there were two different ways to manufacture these same model hubcaps. Did the single pressing hubcaps originate from Canada?

petehoovie · 05-09-2018, 11:37 PM

Are the inner diameters the same on both? The one on the left looks larger. Also, the one on the right looks to be deeper....

mercman from oz · 05-10-2018, 12:49 AM

These two hubcaps are exactly the same size and fit the same wheel perfectly. Here are two more pictures of them showing added detail. Apart from the differences on the back edges, they are identical in all respects.

TJ · 05-10-2018, 07:49 AM

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Most likely different manufacturers. Ford outsourced a lot of parts and had vendors located as near as possible to assembly plants. They also contracted for replacement parts. I have seen both styles of hubcaps here in the states also.

05-09-2018, 11:01 PM	#1
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	1941 Mercury hubcaps x 2? Take a look at these two 1941 Mercury Hubcaps that are in my collection. Notice that they both are painted army colours, so obviously, they were originally fitted to 1941 Mercurys that were used in Military Service. However, what is fascinating is the way that were manufactured? The one on the left is a single pressing and is full Stainless Steel. This is how the hubcaps on all Australian assembled Fords from 1941 to 1948 were manufactured. The hubcap on the right is very unusual find in Australia, as it has a separate pressed section on the inside, which is very susceptible to rust, as the example shown shows. In my observation, this is how all USA Fords of this period were made. I realise that in 1942, all Mercury hubcaps had this separate section on the inside, on account of their larger outer diameter. Can anyone explain why there were two different ways to manufacture these same model hubcaps. Did the single pressing hubcaps originate from Canada?

05-09-2018, 11:37 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,083	Re: 1941 Mercury hubcaps x 2? Are the inner diameters the same on both? The one on the left looks larger. Also, the one on the right looks to be deeper.... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

05-10-2018, 12:49 AM	#3
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	Re: 1941 Mercury hubcaps x 2? These two hubcaps are exactly the same size and fit the same wheel perfectly. Here are two more pictures of them showing added detail. Apart from the differences on the back edges, they are identical in all respects.

05-10-2018, 07:49 AM	#4
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,029	Re: 1941 Mercury hubcaps x 2? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Most likely different manufacturers. Ford outsourced a lot of parts and had vendors located as near as possible to assembly plants. They also contracted for replacement parts. I have seen both styles of hubcaps here in the states also.