Hubcaps catch Raetihi girl's admiration

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 310, 24 October 1989, Page 16

Hubcaps catch Raetihi girl's admiration

BY

DONNA

MCGRATH

Missing a hubcap? Chances are that it is in Tonia Beers' bedroom, cleaned, panelbeaten and now part of an unusual collection of 71 examples. Tonia, daughter of Beverly and Phillip of Raetihi has been collecting hubcaps for about two years and has a magnificent display from a 1928 Studebaker and De Soto to a 1987 Ford Telstar. Tonia's collection began when

a friend gave her a few and from there her hubcaps have become something she admires and appreciates. Tonia says all 71 have their own size, shape and detail. Her most favourite belong to American vehicles. Most of Tonia's collection have come from friends who have found hubcaps and are aware of her hobby. To find out the 'identity' of each one, she has to rely on the elders of the community. That research and time spent is an education of its own,

she says. Tonia recalls a friend who brought her a hubcap found in Rangataua. Research showed that it belonged to a Terraplane which was one of the first taxis in the area. Tonia hopes that with research perhaps she will have a story for each hubcap as it comes along, but she says information is hard to find.