General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Metal

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

N/A

Width

9.8 cm

Height

5.4 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Motorized Ground Transportation

Category

Automotive parts

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Auburn

Country

United States of America

State/Province

Indiana

City

Auburn

Context

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

Period

Unknown

Canada

Hub caps are collectors' items.

Function

Cover put on automobile wheels to enhance its aesthetic appearance or aerodynamism and to protect the wheel bolts from mud and dust.

Technical

In 1900, the Auburn Automobile Company was established in Auburn, Indiana by Frank and Morris EckHart. The company released several models but they struggled for success. In 1919, Auburn was purchased by William Wrigley and his investors, however it continued to struggle in such a competitive market. In 1924, the businessman, Errett Lobban Cord was hired to return the company to a profitable status. Cord made many changes and succeeded in turning Auburn into a profitable business. In 1926, Cord purchased the company and hired new designers, such as the Duesenberg company. Auburn went on to manufacture the Auburn, Cord and Duesenburg (ACD) luxury vehicles, which were known for their engineering, performance and style. However, Auburn did not survive the Great Depression because the vehicles were too expensive to produce and the company eventually closed on August 7, 1937 ("Auburn Automobile Co."). Originally, hub caps date back to the horse-drawn era and afterwards to the first automobiles when wheels were made of wooden spokes connected to the center hub. The hub contained the wheel bearing, which was packed with grease. The hub cap was a small device used to cover the center hub to keep the dust out and the grease in. Eventually, car manufacturers replaced the wooden spokes with steel wire spokes in the 1920s and 1930s. As a result the hub cap evolved into a wheel cover, which is a large disc that covers most of the wheel. Wheel covers continue to serve a functional purpose but they have also become a decorative design feature of the wheel.

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Depressed central disk filled with black paint containing number '12' in raised numbers crossed by name 'AUBURN' in raised letters

Missing

N/A

Finish

Polished silver surface/ depressed central disk filled with black paint/ condition: metal shows signs of wear from wrench, one side dented, metal torn at base

Decoration

N/A