Topic: 65 Wheel Covers

[Chris]

Here's a set of 14-inch wheel covers with spinners that looks to be original.  They all have the part number on the back (ink stamp?) and what looks to be FoMoCo (see example).  The spinners are pot metal.  Anyone seen spinners with markings like this? I think these were correct for 64 1/2 cars, raised wire covers with early spinners and Ford crest.

[NEFaurora]

Yeah, It's pretty normal.

You were correct.  Those are the wire wheel correct caps and spinners for 64 1/2.  The caps are reproed, but the spinners are not. The spinners are tough to find in good shape, but they are out there if you look for them.  There was also another Wire wheel spinner cap which used the very same caps, but there were more "fake" wires and they were closer together.  Those caps are known as the Falcon/Failane wire wheel Spinner caps more predominantly , but were also used on galaxies as well. I know I have a pic of them.. I sold a set of the a few years ago.

Your caps I would consider them "more correct" for a '64 1/2 mustang.  The regular '65/'66 wire wheel caps (Also used on Sprint 200 cars) carry the same cap but with a revised smaller, shorter, flatter three prong spinner with a blue center. You could probably write a small book on the variations of the 1960's Ford wire wheel hubcap. There were about six or seven different variations of them from '64-'70...and if you bring in Mercury cars, They are different as well (Usually with different centers), but similar caps.. I could go on and on..

Tony K.

[Chris]

I thought the spinners were original since they were the pot metal type and not plastic like the repros.  The wheel covers are marked though with the part number and FoMoCo on the back, all four of them.  Reproductions are not marked, so what are the markings, original? This was mostly what I was wondering, the authenticity of the ink markings on the back of the wheel covers. I don't think they could be reproductions.  I'm not sure about the Ford crest centers, but the wire wheel covers themselves look to be original.

[Chris]

Here's the Galaxie style you were talking about, I have a set with the pot metal spinners. I've been looking for an original set of the taller "Chariot style" as I've seen them called, the ones shown in the first post, but I'd like to confirm their originality (have not bought them yet).

[NEFaurora]

Your caps are original as are your spinners, What I was referring to is that they repro those caps...You can get them for about $80 through any Mustang supplier. Those early spinners are tough to find in unpitted shape, but can be found if you look hard enough. Don't know what you were referring to you when you said: "plastic like the repros"  Those spinners are being NOT reproed, but the caps are.  And the spinners that are being reproed such as the '65/'66 Spinners, are pot metal just like the originals.  I have a few of them, including a full set of '64 1/2 caps w/ spinners like your above. I am not aware of any "plastic repro spinners" that are out there from any supplier whether they are '64 1/2 or '65/'66 spinners.  I think you were mistaken possibly.

Tony K.

[NEFaurora]

Yes, Those are what are referred to as the "Falcon/Fairlane" wire wheel covers.  If you notice, They carry the same '64 1/2 tall spinner, They are just mated to a different cap.

If you are looking to buy the set that you first posted in the first post in the thread, I say "Buy 'em!" if the price is right.  They look super clean, and are definately 100% authentic. You don't see them everyday, and are deifnately much harder to find than the regular '65/'66 Wire Wheel hubcaps which carry the same cap, just smaller, shorter spinners with blue crest...especially if you have a '64 1/2 mustang..because that is what they goto..

Tony K.

[Chris]

I managed to get all four of the wheel covers unpacked from the shipping wrap and take a few pictures of the FoMoCo markings on the back of each one. The markings look authentic to me, I've never seen a set with markings for all four covers. From the looks of the age of the sealer around the caps, I think they are original to the covers too.

[NEFaurora]

Yes, They are original too.  Interestingly enough, Some spinners used four holes on the caps and some used three...as your above pictures fully dictate.  If you have a cap that has four holes, and a spinner that uses three, You just have to re-drill the holes in the center of the cap to make the spinner work and vice versa.. Never figured out why they did'nt just be consistent with the three or four holes deal... That's just how they were made.