Truck Hub Caps for '53, Bunn Book Source

[John-T-53]

Alright, I'll admit I'm confused again. I want to know what the "correct" hub caps are for the 1953 model year. I was just browsing the DPETCA gallery and noticed a bunch of different types. I always thought the Pilothouse era trucks had the same type of cap, the "red dot" style. Maybe some heavy hitters could weigh in here...

I know mine (attached pic) are not correct; I think they belong on a passenger car. And I'll admit it (gulp), the brown wheel paint isn't right either, but it matches the body color.

On a related topic, anyone know of a source for Don Bunn's book for less than the average life insurance payout? I've looked it up on Amazon and related sites seen it always between one and three hundred dollars, new or used.

[Reg Evans]

John,

I have a set of "correct" 53 truck hub caps available for purchase. I also have a new copy of Don Bunns book Dodge Trucks History and Restoration Guide 1917-1971 ( the bible)and a copy of his B series book also.

You can email me direct at regoevans@sbcglobal.net

Edited January 14, 2010 by Reg Evans

[Merle Coggins]

I believe that Don Bunn's book is out of print and getting harder to find, hence the higher prices.

I paged through mine quickly and found this page. All truck pictures through '52 models showed the "bullseye" type hubcaps. It's not the best picture of the '53 caps, but I didn't see a better one.

[pflaming]

This is the hub cap that came on my pickup. I painted it. It was sans color when got it.

[Zeke1953]

The ones Reg has are the same as I have on my '53. I think they are called "dog dish" hubcaps for obvious reasons. Zeke

[Dennis_MN]

On a related topic, anyone know of a source for Don Bunn's book for less than the average life insurance payout? I've looked it up on Amazon and related sites seen it always between one and three hundred dollars, new or used.

I'm sorry that I don't have one to part with but I wonder if there are rare editions and really rare editions. I went on a motorcycle ride one day sometime around 1995 or 96 and our destination was Osceola, WI and to a car show on the grounds of Motorbooks international. They also had a 1/2 price sale tent for books plus you could roam around inside and buy anything else you wanted. I noticed a pile of these books called Dodge Pickups history and restoration guide 1918-1971 and it had a section on pilothouse trucks so I bought one for 1/2 of $21.95 Looks like I should have bought the pile of them. But me thinks something is amiss because on one of our discussions, I mentioned something about chapter 10 which is on replacing your wooden floor in your box, Grey Beard said his book didn't go that high

There is actually a part II restoration guide which includes chapter 10,11,12,13, and 14. Is Dave the only one with a short edition or do I have a really rare one? I suppose that I could improve the value if I drove down to Bloomington, MN and had Mr. Bunn autograph it. (I think Mr Brownell has died)

[Young Ed]

I heard a while back Mr Bunn had alzheimers too. Mine has the wooden bed section too

[Dave72dt]

I picked my guide at Jefferson, WI show many years ago, also for less than cover price. Published in 1991 by MBI Publishing, located in Osceola, WI. Authors Tom Brownell and Don Bunn Mine has 14 chapters and some appendices.

[Merle Coggins]

He has a couple of Dodge truck books published. The one I have is strictly Pilot House related.

[Dave72dt]

That explains why the picture you sent of page 128 didn't match the one in my book. I guess if we start referencing pages we'll have to indicate which Bunn book we are talking about.

[John-T-53]

Thanks for all the info. Reg, I'll e-mail you.

When I switch my caps out, I'll be putting the Dodge passenger car hub caps up for sale. I have 3 of the "bullseye" caps that could find a home too.

[Dennis_MN]

I heard a while back Mr Bunn had alzheimers too. Mine has the wooden bed section too

I guess that's the case, he has detoriated since I first met him at Mopars in the Park when it was in Shakopee, MN. This is a picture of him and his son at last year's Mopars in the Park.