Locomobile Hubcap, circa 1925

01

Artifact Overview

Early automobile wheels had a central hub with a greased wheel bearing. Hub caps kept grease in and dust out. As wheels evolved and hubcaps became functionally unnecessary, they remained important to both manufacturers -- who branded wheel covers with maker names or logos -- and consumers -- who identified with hubcaps as statements about their cars and themselves.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Hubcap

Date Made

circa 1925

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

53.32.242

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Aluminum Goods Manufacturing Company.

Material

Aluminum (Metal)
Enamel (Fused coating)

Color

Silver (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Diameter: 4 in
Height: 2.375 in

Inscriptions

Center front: LOCOMOBILE Scratched on side near bottom 253213-10 GA Marked inside: AGM CO
Locomobile Hubcap, circa 1925