An Early Accessory Lock

The Miller-Chapman Company of Los Angeles was the most significant manufacurer of wheel locks. Patented in 1914, their wheel locks were produced in more than twenty different sizes and configurations, ranging from 3" to 5", for wood spoke wheels, wire wheels, and disk wheels.

The purpose of this lock was not to protect the tire or the wheel, but to prevent (or discourage) theft of the car by preventing "rapid running of the machine due to irregular movement of the wheel." Additionally, it was said that the track of the car could be traced by following the indentations in the road.

Weakness Exploited

The original unit just wrapped around the wheel, as in the photo at right. It didn't take long for thieves to realize they could defeat the lock by deflating the tire, turning the lock sideways, and reinflating the tire. (Because tires of the 1920's did not maintain air pressure well, it was not uncommon for drivers to carry tire pumps - in fact some drivers had them built into the engine.)

Added Protection

To combat this weakness, manufacturers modified their wheel locks by adding the ability to wrap the lock around a spoke, or by adding additional spikes around the perimeter of the lock.

Accessory Locks for Antique Cars

Wheel Locks

An e-bay photo showing a wheel lock in place.	The smallest next to a very large wheel lock.
This 3" wheel lock was for clincher rim, Ford type wood wheel.	A 4 1/2" for cord tires on wood wheels.
A less expensive unit used the owner's padlock.	The Green Lock Company made this unit to wrap around a wooden spoke.
A 3 1/2" unit by unknown manufacturer with spikes.	The same unit as at left, showing the ability to wrap around a spoke.
This 4" unit with balled spikes was patented on 4/26/21.	This unusual roller type wheel lock is an e-bay photo. It was designed to allow limited emergency movement of the parked car.
A ratcheting disk wheel lock.	This is a disk wheel lock, missing its adjustable rod, from e-bay.
Another unusual wheel lock from e-bay. The plunger at right activated the circular noise maker.	The rounded endat left was designed to accept a spoke adapter piece.