HUBCAPS

HUBCAPS, WHEEL COVERS & CENTER CAPS

WHAT IS A HUBCAP?

YEARS AGO MOST MAKERS OF CARS COVERED THE AXLE NUT AND BEARINGS WITH A THREADED CAP. THIS THREADED CAP KEPT THE DIRT AND WATER OUT OF THE BEARING AND THE GREASE IN AND WAS CALLED A HUB CAP. MANUFACTURERS LATER ADDED A COVER OVER THE ENTIRE WHEEL TO MAKE THE CAR FANCIER (AND PROBABLY SO THEY COULD CHARGE US MORE). THESE FULL SIZE COVERS ARE REALLY WHEEL COVERS. IN BETWEEN SIZES (COVERS ONLY THE LUG NUTS OR LUG BOLTS AND THE CENTER PORTION OF THE WHEEL) ARE ALSO WHEEL COVERS. THE INTERMEDIATE SIZE IS OFTEN CALLED A "DOG DISH" OR "POVERTY CAP". THE INTERMEDIATE SIZES OFTEN CAME WITH TRIM RINGS OR BEAUTY RINGS. NO MATTER THE ACTUAL NAME, PEOPLE HAVE CONTINUED TO CALL THESE WHEEL ACCESSORIES "HUB CAPS". THUS, INTO THE NEW MILLENNIUM WE TRAVEL (NOT QUITE AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT).

DEFINITIONS

HUBCAP: SMALL WHEEL COVER, USUALLY 6"-12" DIAMETER.

WHEEL COVER: LARGE, USUALLY COVERS THE ENTIRE WHEEL, CAN BE PLAIN, WITH WIRE SPOKES OR WITH A SPINNER.

TRIM RING: ROUND AND SHINY, CAN BE CHROME, STAINLESS OR ALUMINUM.

BEAUTY RING: SAME AS A TRIM RING.

CENTER CAP: COVERS THE LUG NUTS ON THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL. CAN BE FOUND ON STYLED ALLOY WHEELS OR ON STEEL WHEELS.

OEM: ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURE.

AFTERMARKET OR AM: AN ITEM MANUFACTURED FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY THAT WILL FIT ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT CARS. THESE ARE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN OEM