Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 16:29:48 -0800
Reply-To: Courtney Hook <courtneyhook@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Courtney Hook <courtneyhook@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Hubcaps - chrome moonies ( not )
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original
This is where the term "lake pipes" came from too, like in the Beach Boys
line, "And she purrs like a kitten till the lake pipes roar". :-) And yes,
moons covered the whole rim for aerodynamics. I was at Bonneville in the
summer watching the classics rip down the course.
A side view to watching the Bonneville scene is the great movie with Anthony
Hopkins called "Worlds Fastest Indian". About motorcycles, but really shows
the mystique of all the speed scene in the early years. Geez, I miss big
block engines. ;-(
Courtney
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Daniel - Shazam" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 2:31 PM
Subject: Re: Hubcaps - chrome moonies ( not )
Re " any chrome moon hubcaps for a '71 up bus or beetle will work."
Just for your automotive and cultural historical correctness, 'moon
hubcaps' cover the entire wheel.
I believe the origin is hot rod cars that ran on dry lake beds in southern
California, after WWII and at the start of the hot rod era in the late 40's
and into the 50's...........on those cars for streamlining purposes they
covered the wheels over smoothly with probably aluminum full size hubcaps.
And possibly first used on 'dry lake' cars based on, or build upon, aluminum
surplus aircraft belly tanks.
Some may consider this rambling, if you do, stop reading now
.................
The semi-flat chrome hubcaps come on early vanagons, and all years of Buses
before that starting with the 1971 Bus ..........which is the first year of
the normal 'small center hole ' hole 15 inch steel wheel. Prior to that vw
steel rims had a very large almost 10 inch center hole, and a special
adapter was needed to put those wheels on tire machines.
Bugs I don't know as well. Early bugs had the same large hole wheel until
they came out with a 4 lug, 'small center hole' wheel in ............I think
1968. The 68 Bug was a large departure from all the previous ones in many
ways. If I was answering on a test, I'd say 68 Bug was the first year of
that wheel type, that will take the semi-flat chrome hubcap. . I remember
when the 68 Bug came out even, I was there and I thought the vent window
latches, where you twist a knob, then hold it twisted while you flip the
lever was 'too german' and dumb, but obviously it was an anti-break in
feature, or at least I imagine that was the thinking.
And I just call them 'the chrome metal' hubcaps for Buses and early
vanagons.
I'd trade 4 chrome metal ones for a very good set for a set of what I call
the 'Silver Dome' plastic hubcap seen on many 84 and up gasoline vanagons.
I don't think much of the 'phony wire wheel' plastic hubcaps that come on 82
diesel vanagons, and I imagine 82 DV's came both ways, a GL having the large
plastic hubcaps I'd guess, and L models the chrome metal.
But I'd probably trade 4 chrome metal vanagon hubcaps for 4 good silver
dome ones. Finding a silver dome one that is really ok though is not always
that easy.
They are often either scratched up, or broken in a spot of two on the back
side. I have about 9 of them that have something wrong with them, in one way
or another.
Where I am rusting of the metal hubcaps barely happens.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 8:11 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Hubcaps - chrome moonies
In a message dated 2/4/08 10:29:02 AM Eastern Standard Time,
sandwichhead@YAHOO.COM writes:
> Thinking about replacing my plastic hubcaps on 91GL and was thinking about
> the chrome domes from a beetle or old bus. Thoughts? Anyone have any for
14"?
> Took mine off to clean and ended up painting silver w/1500 degree paint.
> They look pretty good, but I kinda like the black steel rims the way they
are.
> Thanks, Michael
> 91GL Auto 'Gringo' in San Antonio
>
>
>
any chrome moon hubcaps for a '71 up bus or beetle will work.
if you decide to buy some new ones, DONT buy the cheap ones. they will rust
in less than a month.
chris
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