Bob Drake's Painted Hubcaps

[Pat/Ohio]

Hi 'Barners,

Have any of you folks purchased any of Bob Drake's painted hubcaps? I'm thinking of the 1932 V8 caps in particular. Is the blue close to the original blue? Quality of the cap itself? Thanks in advance!

Pat

[mike42]

Only bought a '40 Standard painted cap and it was pretty good.

Mike

[Carl]

Pat, I bought some and they are beautiful. The color looks good, too.

[Andyr]

I bought 32 and 34 painted hubcaps from Drake and they were great!

[Kube]

Actually the blue used by Drake and others is not correct. The authentic blue was much darker.
The red used on the 1940 deluxe caps is so far from authentic, it makes me cringe.

[38 Ford Pickup]

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Kube is on the MARK...........

[-Big Al-]

I have purchased and used hi '33 hubcaps and would recommend them.

Al.

[Steve/IL]

Pat,

If you order 32 V8 Hubcaps from Bob, I hope that you aren't in a hurry. I just ordered a set and they are on back order until October. I doubt if they will be available by then based on my previous back order experience from them. I had a 32 right side tail light assembly on back order for over 1 1/2 years!! I finally gave up and bought a Vintique tail light and a Drake tail light lens to match the left side tail light assembly that they had in stock with my original order in late 2012.

Kube,

I know the blue isn't correct, but who else sells reproduction 32 V8 hubcaps with the correct color? Decent originals are hard to find and like most original 32 parts are too expensive. It is a good thing that I can live with most reproduction parts. Same old story: Sold a pair of original hubcaps for $50.00 a year ago and, of course, I regret it now!

[Lawson Cox]

If you buy the repro hubcaps, paint the insides, or light coat of bed liner, as they will rust up on you PDQ. IMHO

[Pat/Ohio]

Guys, Thanks for your responses and good information. I need to put my thinking cap on now! Pat

[Old Ford Addict]

Mr Drake
I find it odd that something so simple as adjusting a paint color cant get done

[Vic Piano]

I don't own a '32 Ford, my earliest is a '39 but, I can't understand why companies that reproduce Ford parts (under license from FoMoCo) would use the wrong color(s) when painting things like hubcaps... especially if its originality and authenticity they are replicating...

[Pat/Ohio]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

I don't own a '32 Ford, my earliest is a '39 but, I can't understand why companies that reproduce Ford parts (under license from FoMoCo) would use the wrong color(s) when painting things like hubcaps... especially if its originality and authenticity they are replicating...

Vic, This leaves me scratching my head also! How simple would it be to adjust the color a bit? See you in Florida at the 'Barner's Bash! Pat

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

I don't own a '32 Ford, my earliest is a '39 but, I can't understand why companies that reproduce Ford parts (under license from FoMoCo) would use the wrong color(s) when painting things like hubcaps... especially if its originality and authenticity they are replicating...

Many reproduction parts were copied from service replacement parts. That, at times, makes the part fit and function but not "correct". Upper hoses for '39 Fords are one glaring example. There should not be an external reinforcement, part number nor Ford script.
1940 Ford upper hoses are another glaring example. There should not be any part number nor script.
Guys like Drake know this NOW. Why he doesn't change them? Um, profit motives perhaps? Um, because guys keep accepting them?
The hub caps for 1940, as well as hood ornaments, deluxe scripts - anywhere the blue and red is utilized could be easily changed. Here too, why should he? Guys keep buying them and most guys don't know nor care if they are correct.
Just for the record, it has NEVER bothered me that incorrect stuff is manufactured and sold. What does bother me is the knowingly false advertising that accompanies those sales.
I can't stress enough how many times I have heard guys on the concourse argue that the (example) "Drake catalog says it is correct".

[Vic Piano]

Originally Posted by Pat/Ohio

Vic, This leaves me scratching my head also! How simple would it be to adjust the color a bit? See you in Florida at the 'Barner's Bash! Pat

Pat, I'd like to know how many variations of the 'blue' & 'red' paint that Ford used for hub caps, hood ornaments, etc. there are. Like you, I don't see why the manufacturers couldn't modify the colors to more closely, or exactly, replicate the OEM colors. Looking forward to seeing you at the 2015 Florida "Barner's Bash".

[Vic Piano]

Kube, I hear what you are saying. I'm not in the parts reproduction business but, as I understand it, any and all parts that are reproduced, come under license from Ford. That being the case, one has to wonder why Ford would allow any company to misrepresent a product in their advertising. I agree that if the ad says "exactly as original", the part should be that way down to the most exacting detail.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

Kube, I hear what you are saying. I'm not in the parts reproduction business but, as I understand it, any and all parts that are reproduced, come under license from Ford. That being the case, one has to wonder why Ford would allow any company to misrepresent a product in their advertising. I agree that if the ad says "exactly as original", the part should be that way down to the most exacting detail.

I am fairly certain Ford is more worried about collecting their fees for licensing than they are if an item is "exactly" as advertised.
I would only hazard a guess to think that if enough folks complained to the appropriate person(s) at Ford about an individual part, something may be done about it. However, I think you realize the odds of "enough folks" articulating a decent letter are close to zero.
I do know that many (perhaps most?) folks believe that if a part is licensed by Ford to be reproduced it is not only "exact" but also of high quality. This is in reality not the case.

[Vic Piano]

What you say is largely correct, it is sad but true. I'm sure the revenue derived from licensing is a relatively small line item for Ford in the overall scheme of things. Still, its too bad they don't keep a closer watch on companies re-popping Ford parts....

[slowforty]

The problem is in the translation to Chinese.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by slowforty

The problem is in the translation to Chinese.

That may be at least partly true. However, I am guessing not in the way you'd insinuated. The Chinese, for the most part speak English better than most Americans. So, if there is a communication issue, it's most likely the fault of the American wholesaler.
Still, I am firmly convinced it is not a matter of poor communication. Rather, I believe strongly, the problem stems from what the wholesale buyers are willing to accept and subsequently pass off on the retail market.
The Chinese are quite capable of making anything. But, instead of (example) buying a part that truly does fit, many parts wholesalers go for saving a few cents here and there at the cost of the quality some of us still expect.