Valve stem holes - sombrero

[bullet bob]

Hello guys and gals. I have a '53 coupe with sombrero hubcaps. I can't figure out why the locations of the valve stem holes don't align with the valve stems. Every picture I've seen shows just a whole, with NO stem sticking through. Any idea why? Thanks. Bob

[signart]

If you have sombrero's on your '53, that could be why.

[Steve Passmore]

Perhaps the wrong year sombereos? or possibly you have to use valve extensions??

[bullet bob]

Every '53 that I have seen on ebay, or any other place, that has sombrero hubcaps, just has the empty hole. Did 53's not come with sombrero's? My caddy's had the same hubcaps for....50 years? Thanks for your input. Bob

[signart]

Sombrero's were used on '47-'52 models. '53 Cadillacs used a one year only design, kind of opposite the sombrero design. For these you would need an extension shaped like a Z. Don't know if anyone is making any, I just remove my hubcaps

[Dan LeBlanc]

There's a set of extenders on eBay right now for $400

[signart]

There's a set of extenders on eBay right now for $400

I refuse to buy any cheap extenders, I'll just take my hubcaps off.

[bullet bob]

Thanks guys. Always wondered about this. Now I know. BB

[Dan LeBlanc]

I agree.  When I saw those, I thought two things.  Wonder what my 53 has and then what is the workaround for this as there is no way I'm going to be paying that kind of money for a set of valve stem extenders.

[Quentin Hall]

They are actually called "wallet reducers".

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

Father had wire hubcaps on his new 53 back then.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-Cadillac-Valve-Stem-Extensions-Set-of-4-/221636897931?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item339a96ac8b&vxp=mtr

[Glen]

I can’t believe the prices on these things.  I did a Google search and found this:
http://www.campingworld.com/search/index.cfm?Ntt=valve+stem+extender&N=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=primary&Nty=1&Ntpc=1

The prices there are in the $12 to $22 a pair.  I know they are not the same as the ones on eBay but if you did a more detailed search you might find what you need at a reasonable price.   

Look at sites that cater to truckers and sites for tires.