Value of Nice '55 to '60 Wire Wheel Cover Set

[StudeRich]

You do have to wonder how much a '55 Speedster owner with none, at a International Meet or Zone Meet would Pay for a near perfect Used Original, Full Set of Nice '55 to '60 Wire Wheel Covers with excellent Caps and 3 wheel sets of Clips?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/STUDEBAKER-1953-1958-wire-wheel-covers/273075333055?hash=item3f948ee7bf:g:bwQAAOSwn9VaceUd&vxp=mtr

Click on the Tiny: "See Original Listing" Link.

These went Today for, $540.00 and I am sure the unchallenged winning Bid was higher, in what appears to be as perfect as Used condition gets.

You think the 13,286 eBay Transaction Buyer, will TRY to flip them for an asking of $1000.00 -$1500.00?

[studegary]

I thought that these were proper for 1953 to mid-1956. Is my memory incorrect on this? You and the seller both give different year ranges than mine on these.

[StudeRich]

I honestly do not know or care on a "fits everything" item, they were not in my 1961 Accessory Price List, Book "F", that May or may not, mean they were not "suggested" for 1961 and could have "ended" in 1960.

If an older item was still in stock, they would sometimes keep offering it in Book "F" for models it would not "correctly" fit.

I think they were available in '53, but as we all know, not popular until they became Standard on '55 Speedsters.

[S2Deluxe]

I thought that these were proper for 1953 to mid-1956. Is my memory incorrect on this? You and the seller both give different year ranges than mine on these.

That was also my understanding. I imagine, most dealers would have been willing to install whatever they could, to make a sale?

Mark

[Hallabutt]

Gary is right they were optional 1953-56, but they were standard on the Speedster. It seems to me that the value in these is to the Speedster owner, because he really has no choice, if he wants his car to be right. I've been dealing with these things for over five decades, and while I like the look, they are a real PITA.

The wheel cover was actually used on other makes, but with a different hubcap. I haven't looked for awhile, but I think that SI offered the hubcap as a repop. There are plenty of less then perfect sets around, in fact I have several sets myself. If I needed a set, would I pay the auction price of these? Yes, but would I pay double, I doubt it.

[63t-cab]

I might be wrong, but maybe even 52 or late 52 Cars

I thought that these were proper for 1953 to mid-1956. Is my memory incorrect on this? You and the seller both give different year ranges than mine on these.

[63t-cab]

As You say, correct information/facts are what Folks really need.

I honestly do not know or care on a "fits everything" item, they were not in my 1961 Accessory Price List, Book "F", that May or may not, mean they were not "suggested" for 1961 and could have "ended" in 1960.

If an older item was still in stock, they would sometimes keep offering it in Book "F" for models it would not "correctly" fit.

I think they were available in '53, but as we all know, not popular until they became Standard on '55 Speedsters.

[thunderations]

As much as I would like a set of those for the 55 President, I'm pretty sure they will only work on the stock wheels, which rules out installing disc brakes. I'm sure that some fabrication would allow the wires to be installed, but weight becomes a factor in balancing and each modification may cause more frustration then they are worth.

[vetteson]

These wheel covers will only fit wheels with correct width and back-set. Most standard aftermarket wheels sold now use a Chevy or Ford bolt pattern, neither of which is the same as the original Stude wheel. I suppose they could be adapted to other wheels with some sort of device (I tried unsuccessfully), but because of their construction they will likely flex and make a lot of noise.

[Stude Shoo-wop!]

As much as I would like a set of those for the 55 President, I'm pretty sure they will only work on the stock wheels, which rules out installing disc brakes. I'm sure that some fabrication would allow the wires to be installed, but weight becomes a factor in balancing and each modification may cause more frustration then they are worth.

I was able to install front disk brakes on my GT Hawk by having mild spacers installed with them. Don't worry...the geometry still appears stock.