So the last hubcap is finally done for my Royale. "Finally"

Apr 16

So the last hubcap is finally done for my Royale. "Finally" you are wondering? Its a hubcap, how much work can go in to that? ahahahahahahahaha. Well, when you have it rechromed and it won't fit anymore you have some work ahead of you. Check out my restoration thread on the Royale club site. Started it in 2014, its been going on for a while.

https://reoroyale.com/forums/5/topics/2352

Apr 16, 2026

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Replies (9)

· Apr 16

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· Apr 16

There is no such thing as a 5 minute job…. Looks great.

· Apr 16

Yes. Nothing is easy. Those hubcaps look great. Too much copper in the chrome process?

· Apr 16

I need to get a picture of a wheel mounted with the tire and hubcap. We need to make a tool to spread the snap rings. @Edinmass tried to convince me to rebuild them as drop center and I wish I listned.

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· Apr 16

@alsancle
educate me, what exactly do you mean by drop center?

· Apr 17

@JohnBloom A drop center wheel is one piece and the upper and lower rims hold the tire on. A snap ring wheel uses a separate snap ring to hold the outside edge of the tire on to the rim. The transition in automobiles happened around 1931/1932.

· Apr 17

@alsancle would your choice be deemed incorrect if it wasn’t as original at Pebble or would they “overlook that”?

· Apr 17

@JohnBloom It should be considered incorrect but the chances of a REO Royale expert wandering on to my judging team are small, and even so I don't care too much about the judging. It is very hard to distinguish the two types unless you are looking for it.

· Apr 17

@JohnBloom With a drop center rim you can often use a machine to help get the tire on. Snap ring wheels typically are just a lot of muscle and swearing. Also, every once in a while you will see a snap ring break. They can be dangerous to mount.