1937 six wheel fenders

[cadillac ken]

Hi folks:  I recently purchased a 1937 Cadillac Series 60 Coupe.  The sale included a set of welled spare tire fenders and wheel covers.  But that's it-- save for the support bracket that mounts to the frame to carry the burden of the extra weight of the spare tire. 

Now this is my first prewar car.  While I'm intimately familiar with the mid 1950's Cadillacs I'm not claiming to know much about the details of this car.  Ive seen some cars that feature a spring loaded lift mechanism for the ease or removing the spare tire from the well.  But not sure if that's the case for these fenders. 

Any information would be helpful and of course any photos would be really great. I'd love to complete these and use them on the car but really have not a clue what I need or what is missing.  How does the upper metal half round cover mount to the fender-- tire?

Ken in Florida

[Steve Passmore]

Hi Ken.  You will get all the help you need from myself and some other very good friends of mine on this forum who also have the 37 small series. The fender cover is held on by a spider like apparatus with a wing nut that tightens them on.  Theres a special bolt which go's through a bracket to hold the wheel into the well. I had to make a set of these with a pattern from one of my friends.

The bottom bracket arrangement in the picture is the 50/60 series. Theres a picture of the wheel retaining bracket I had cast, then showing  how it fits.

[cadillac ken]

Thanks so much Steve. I haves some parts that came with the car so I will look for what you have pictured.  I may get lucky and have them.  I only got the car yesterday and it's out of state, so I won't have the car itself until next week or so.  I did go to inspect and make the deal and I took all the loose parts with me home in my van.

  I also have no idea how the upper cover attaches.  I'll go out and get some photos of mine. You can probably tell me more then about the various holes in them.  I know the semi-circle pattern is for a trim piece (which I do not have) but there are no tell tale signs of how these mount to the wheel in the well (?) or the fender (?)

ken in florida

[Steve Passmore]

The covers are sprung over the wheel ken and are quite tight but are further held by the spider clamp arrangement that I mentioned. I made mine myself and if you get stuck I'll post a picture of it.

[cadillac ken]

I would indeed like to see the "spider" clamp and how the wing nut attaches.  Thanks for the info on the way these simply fit tight to the tire.  I was wondering how the heck they would stay in place since there seems to be no defined "stop" for the covers to come to rest on.

  Also what trim is on these covers?  I see a semi-circle trim on them but I have other holes along the bottom in line like a straight trim of some sort would go there as well as a hole in the center of the cover for some sort of emblem (?)

[Steve Passmore]

The bottom lip holes are for welting which was a reinforced rubber. There are no other holes. Yours have probably been added by someone.

[cadillac ken]

OK, great, thanks.  Also, maybe you could tell me if the insert for the hood goddess is glass or lucite.  Mine is missing and will need to replace or re-make it.  The goddess itself is actually pretty nice.  Looks like it was once re-chromed.  Maybe that's when the insert "disappeared".

[Steve Passmore]

Good question. The expensive reproductions come with plate glass but I had one once without and had one cut in plastic, taped it up and lightly sand blasted the strips and no one could ever tell the difference.

[cadillac ken]

when you get a chance Steve, I would really appreciate a photo of the "spider"brackets.  I can see how the spare tire mounts into the well but the spider brackets are still a mystery (?)

[Steve Passmore]

Pictures as requested.

[Classic]

The insert for the hood goddess is supposed to be glass.  I got mine from McVeys.  "Glass, for hood goddess $99"  https://www.mcveys.com/Pricelist.pdf.

[cadillac ken]

Gene, thanks for the tip on the hood goddess glass.

Steve, I sure appreciate the photo of the "spider" clamp.  could you tell me where each of the three ends attach? 

Sorry to be so in the dark, but like I said, this is my first and only pre-war caddy.  I'm pretty handy and have a good idea that I can probably duplicate that clamp.  If only I knew how it fastens to what.

[Steve Passmore]

If you have the correct covers there are three holes in the back edge. Post a picture of the covers.

[cadillac ken]

I will.  Actually I took some photos yesterday on my phone.  And then disaster struck and my phone went into self destruct mode. Deleted photos, contacts, and more.  Got it straight (but the data is gone forever) so I'll take some new photos today to post later.

thanks again for your patience and help.

[cadillac ken]

Here's what I got:  they are pretty nice actually.  Just not sure of the holes (other than the ones for the half circle stainless trim.) and the valve stem hole (large one)



k caskey in Florida

[tozerco]

Does this help (though not with the "spider" clamp which Steve has very adequately described for you)....

[Steve Passmore]

I gave a link to that very same page on my first reply above John. Perhaps it was overlooked?

Ken. You have the correct covers. The holes on the bottom in the centre are not for a badge but part of the rubber welting to stop it touching inside the well. That area sits below the well line. You should have three holes on the reverse side for the spider.

[cadillac ken]

once again, Steve, thanks.  I looked at the photos you posted and looked at my covers and I think see what's going on now.  I think I can get these things in place with a little time spent fabricating the necessary pieces.

If not I know who to call on!

[Steve Passmore]

In case you don't have them these are the bolts that locate the wheel.