1956 Clipper Hub Caps

Posted by Bill Clay On 2013/12/7 17:59:07

Although I've been around Packards most of my adult life, I need some help. My neighbor a few streets over received a 1956 Clipper from his elderly uncles estate.
The car hadn't been run since 1967 when it was put away in a garage.tThe new owner contacted me about getting it running. Which we did with some difficulty.
I digress , on this car it has "dog dish" hub cabs with these really cool trim rings. When you look, you don't see valve stems, they are hidden by these extra wide trim rings. To access the valve stems you have to pull on the trim ring in a outward effort. They are attached to the wheel by four little hinges connected by four short arms which must be spring steel.
I have never seen this equipment before or since. Is this common on the Clipper models in 1956?