1941 Ford Hubcaps - Different Manufacturers?

[mercman from oz]

Take a look at these two 1941 Ford Hubcaps and you can that they are different?
The Hubcap in the top photo is like the Hubcaps fitted to Australian models, while the Hubcap in the bottom photo is like the ones fitted to the 1941 Fords in USA.
As Ford Australia sourced their parts from ford Motor Company in Canada, is the top Hubcap similar to what was supplied on Canadian models? They are obviously two distinct Hubcaps? Can anyone give a definitive reply as to the differences?

[alanwoodieman]

I have three different 41 hub caps, one all ss, 2nd one has the rib like your, is yours two pieces? third one has ss with a Ferres metal ring swedged on it, was told the last two could be ww2 replacements??

[mercman from oz]

Hubcaps on Imported 1941 Mercury Sedan. Notice the extra Rib?
alanwoodieman, would love to see a picture of your "third" variation of the 1941 Ford Hubcap.

[mercman from oz]

While on the subject of Hubcaps, have a look at this Reproduction 1941 Mercury 8 Hubcap. To escape paying Royalties, it doesn't mention Mercury?

[mercman from oz]

Close up view of 1941 Ford Hubcaps showing differences.
All Hubcaps fitted to Australian assembled cars are one piece stainless steel.
On the other hand, all recently imported Fords have the two piece hubcaps.
What style did Canadian Fords have?

[TJ]

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I had some NOS Canadian caps (47-48) one time and they were the two piece.

[mercman from oz]

1941 Mercury Hubcaps. Again, two different styles?
Can anyone explain why the differences?

[TJ]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

1941 Mercury Hubcaps. Again, two different styles?
Can anyone explain why the differences?

Most likely different suppliers. Ford outsourced a lot of stuff to companies close to their assembly plants.

[alanwoodieman]

the first one is all one piece ss, 2nd cap is two piece with ss inner part, third is ss outer and ferris metal/steel inner part

[mercman from oz]

I received this answer to my question from an Authority on these models Fords – yes all Australian delivered (Canadian CKD) 41-48 Fords came with one piece hub caps – most were stainless steel (Henry called it “rustless steel”), however, I have some pick-up (commercial) hubcaps that look the same as passenger hubcaps, but are mild steel that have been chromed. In contrast, the USA 46-48 hubcaps are all two piece from the factory.

[mercman from oz]

The 1941 Mercury Hubcap is similar in size as the same year Ford. In both cases, there were two different stampings to hold the Hubcap in place on the wheel. The Hubcaps used on Canadian 1941 Fords and Mercurys were a single one piece stamping in "rustless steel" while those fitted to USA Fords and Mercurys had a separate inner piece made of regular steel crimped in, which was susceptible to rust. Come 1942, the outside diameter of the Mercury hubcap grew in size and required this inner piece to be crimped in. That means that all 1942 Mercury Hubcaps were manufactured in two pieces, as per this sample NOS 1946 Mercury Hubcap. Meanwhile, the 1942 through 1948 Ford Hubcaps continued to be offered in one piece (Canadian market) and two piece (USA market).

[TJ]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

The 1941 Mercury Hubcap is similar in size as the same year Ford. In both cases, there were two different stampings to hold the Hubcap in place on the wheel. The Hubcaps used on Canadian 1941 Fords and Mercurys were a single one piece stamping in "rustless steel" while those fitted to USA Fords and Mercurys had a separate inner piece made of regular steel crimped in, which was susceptible to rust. Come 1942, the outside diameter of the Mercury hubcap grew in size and required this inner piece to be crimped in. That means that all 1942 Mercury Hubcaps were manufactured in two pieces, as per this sample NOS 1946 Mercury Hubcap. Meanwhile, the 1942 through 1948 Ford Hubcaps continued to be offered in one piece (Canadian market) and two piece (USA market).

Interesting as the Canadian caps that I bought NOS were in boxes that said "Made in Canada" and they were the two piece hubcaps. They were also stamped in the inside of the cap that also said "Made in Canada.