Ive been doing some browsing for the CPA-18303-B Trim Rings that came as a set of 5, haven't really had any luck online finding them.

Im curious if anyone knows if these are hard to find or just a time of year no one is listing for sale?

I have a few feelers out on ebay via part number and if they are or are not hard to find will determine if I can justify the cost the person is asking.


1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi

Are these close?

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/52-54-Ford-Wheel-Trim-Rings-Rare-Stainless-Steel-CPA-18303-D-set-of-4-/221751483631?hash=item33a16b1cef

How did you come across that PN?

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maybe I am not sure, mine are all missing but a photo of my car taken in around '62-'63 shows factory trim rings on, the part number I got came from the 1956 Ford Car/Truck accessory booklet it list the trim rings in there as a set of five with that part number.  My Ford parts and illustration guide how ever has no mention of trim rings and that number 18303 which is the section you go to in the manual doesn't have a listing for that number which has me thinking maybe trim rings were a accessory you could get from the dealership but not from the factory.


1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi

The MPC is changed/updated quarterly and most discontinued parts were/are dropped from the TEXT to prevent confusion. The PN then went to an OSI (Obsolete-Superseded-Interchange) Catalog showing when the part went obsolete or was replaced.

There is another style trim ring in that period that has a different appearance-

Usually, when a part such as this is multi-packaged, it is meant for Dealer Install/Prep. It is thrown into the truck before shipment. The PN may differ from a Service PN for a part sold individually.

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Looks like there are at least 3 different styles then.  Photo of mine is hard to see but it looks like mine is form fitted to the shape of the rim.



The sun shining on the rim around 6 o'clock shows it looks like it is form fitted to the lip of the rim and follows the rim.  All the ones ive seen look like they balloon out to the hub cap.


1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi

The only correct way (without someone having direct knowledge) would be to acquire a period correct CHASSIS CATALOG.

...and ... They may be aftermarket. Aftermarket was big in that period. Does it appear to have ridges in the inward portion?

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I don't have the original rings, when I brought the car home they were already gone.  Either stolen or was left off when tires were put on the car at some point.  Might have even came off when driving I know in the past trim rings and hubcaps that grabbed the inside edge of the rim were known for flying off.

I have the 1949-1959 Ford parts and illustration catalog and it doesn't list trim rings, I hit up a ford part specialist I know that is retired now he told me the following when I asked him about the lack of it being found in the parts and illustration guide.



I haven't checked Bob Drakes site yet but I have found trim rings listed for fitting a '56 but they don't look like what I see in the old photo of my car.  I love to be able to track down the right ones if possible so I can just say the car is all original even though the trim rings had to find new ones to replace the ones missing.



~Update~

I sent a email to Bob Drake cause I checked his website and the closest trim ring I found is one he has listed as Ford Smooth 1947-48 Ford Style.  It has the form fitted shape as what my photo shows and it has the ridge near the rim hub edge like shown in my photo.  I asked him if the ones in my photo I posted above if they are '56 Ford or if they are some aftermarket style or what cause I do want to get the proper ones to install so once I restore the car I can display the original photos of the car in the early 60s so people can see the car then and now looking the same.

My photo again to make comparison easier.


And a photo of Bob Drake`s offering for the '47-48 Ford style beauty ring.




1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi

'35 to '48 Fords had 16" wheels.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

The PARTS GUY description is correct other than ACCESSORIES (most) were included in the 18000 GROUP. ACC were included along with Chassis Basic 18000 PN's.

With the intro of the FORD P&A System, many things changed (incl bringing LM under the same system). Trim ring BASIC PN was changed to 1210 (from 18303) to put them within the WHEEL GROUP (1000).

You will begin noticing this in the 1960/64 MPC  Basic PN 1210. ACCESSORIES then went into a separate distinct section of the MPC.

Also remember the changes and dropping of obsolete PN's as time progressed. A lot of info was deleted and one would have to find a catalog of the wanted time period to find the original PN's along with a correct period OSI Catalog.

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I saw some listed as 16" wheels for early 40`s but the 47-48 one which is the closest match to what I have its listed as 15" on his site.




1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan - 292 Y8 - Ford-O-Matic - 155,000 mi