Radiator Cap

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Professor Fate
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Radiator Cap

Post by Professor Fate » Fri Jun 02, 2023 8:24 pm

20230602_183840.jpg
Ever see a cap like this? I found it today in a box of caps at a friends place. History???
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RajoRacer
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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by RajoRacer » Fri Jun 02, 2023 8:27 pm

Sure have - have one just like it in my display case - it's vintage era & shown in a few of my aftermarket T parts catalogs.


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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by Professor Fate » Fri Jun 02, 2023 9:08 pm

RajoRacer wrote:
Fri Jun 02, 2023 8:27 pm
"....it's vintage era & shown in a few of my aftermarket T parts catalogs."
Do you know what year (s)?
Pre '12?
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RajoRacer
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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by RajoRacer » Fri Jun 02, 2023 9:51 pm

Can't say I've seen one in that early of any of my catalogs - mostly mid-late teens into the late 20's.


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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Fri Jun 02, 2023 10:03 pm

It is probably one of the earlier after-market radiator caps? But even at that, not likely as early as 1912. Every one like that that I have seen was originally nickel plated, however poorly so and often the nickel is all but all gone. I would love to see a dated advertisement for something earlier, however I suspect those came about around the Great War or right after.
Wartime shortages began around 1915 pretty much curtailing manufacturing of accessories. After the war ended, hundreds of manufacturing companies were searching for markets and automotive accessories was a good one for many! The early 1920s was the heyday for automotive accessories as thousands of things hit the market in a few short years!

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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by DanTreace » Fri Jun 02, 2023 10:28 pm

Similar one. 1916 available in solid polished brass or nickel plate extra!
IMG_4439.jpeg

Another catalog 1915

IMG_4440.jpeg
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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by DHort » Fri Jun 02, 2023 11:03 pm

Where did you think Walt Disney got his inspiration from? He had one of these on his Model T.


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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by Professor Fate » Fri Jun 02, 2023 11:34 pm

IMG_444cap0.jpeg
IMG_444cap0.jpeg (73.43 KiB) Viewed 1023 times
I had one of these in my hands today too. I put it back..... could have had it for $20....
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Professor Fate
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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by Professor Fate » Fri Jun 02, 2023 11:39 pm

DHort wrote:
Fri Jun 02, 2023 11:03 pm
Where did you think Walt Disney got his inspiration from? He had one of these on his Model T.
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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Sat Jun 03, 2023 2:29 am

Thank you Dan T!

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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by George House » Sat Jun 03, 2023 2:19 pm

Wow ! Dan’s first ad said it was even “a live sundry”…??
I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people 🤪

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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by DanTreace » Sat Jun 03, 2023 3:25 pm

George House wrote:
Sat Jun 03, 2023 2:19 pm
Wow ! Dan’s first ad said it was even “a live sundry”…??
George, that adv. copy refers to the item to be purchased from this catalog of wholesale parts by various shops, garages, or supply stores. Sundry is a common term for misc. items, of lesser expense scattered about with other items for sale, so a live one is supposed to fly off the shelves! :)
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Professor Fate
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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by Professor Fate » Mon Jun 05, 2023 1:26 pm

Should I leave it alone or shine it up??? Thoughts please😁
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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Mon Jun 05, 2023 4:02 pm

Professor Fate wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 1:26 pm
Should I leave it alone or shine it up??? Thoughts please😁
If it goes on a shiny car, then shine it up. Otherwise, I'd let it be. It shows its "history", (i.e. doesn't look like a reproduction).

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Re: Radiator Cap

Post by TRDxB2 » Mon Jun 05, 2023 5:45 pm

Professor Fate wrote:
Mon Jun 05, 2023 1:26 pm
Should I leave it alone or shine it up??? Thoughts please😁
If your not going to use it now or going to sell it - let it be. Some buyer may want the current patina or if shinny hey can do that.
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