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Which wheel would look best on my Thunderbird?

Total Members Voted: 32

Topic: Wheel options (Read 3723 times) previous topic - next topic

Wheel options

Well this summer is going to be the last summer for my tires (they are 5 years old time for a new set). I figured since I'm going to get new tires either after I take the car out in April or early next year that I might as well get new wheels as well. I like my 8 holes but they are just too small. They are only 14" and have a 215 section tire on them. I want something a little bigger and that can have at least a 225 section tire mounted on it. The only problem is I like so many different wheels that I don't know which would look best on my Bird. I'm putting up the ones I like in 15", 16", and 17" sizes. I'm interested as to what you guys think would look best on my Bird. I either want plain aluminium finish or silver. Polished or chrome just looks too gaudy to me. Thanks guys. First a pic of my Bird and then the 15" wheels I like.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Wheel options

Reply #1 –
16" wheels
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Wheel options

Reply #2 –
17" wheels
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Wheel options

Reply #3 –
I must say, I really like the look of your current 8 hole wheels. I'd leave them on...but since you're looking to upgrade, here's my opinion...

10 holes- no definitely not.
Turbines- Can't go wrong with them but are a beoch to keep clean
TC Snowflakes- not right for your car
Mustang Ponys- nice choice
'93 Cobra- NO
Cobra R's- may work okay. Not sure with the look of your car though.

Now don't get me wrong, it's your choice, but I think the Turbines or the Mustang Ponys would be your best bet. I don't think the Cobra R's would look quite right and I think the others would look really bad on your car.

Wheel options

Reply #4 –
I've been thinking Turbines myself. But those silver Ponys look sooo nice. I'd just need some blank centers for those and I'd be good. I do like those 93 Cobra wheels though. But maybe they wouldn't look right. My car dosen't exactally look "sporty" if you know what I mean.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Wheel options

Reply #5 –
Yeah, I gotta agree...
I'm actually thinking about putting Pony rims on mine someday soon, after painting them body color, whatever that'll be...
Turbines look good, but like said, are hard to (keep) clean-mine are in dire need of a cleanup...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Wheel options

Reply #6 –
Quote from: thunderjet302
My car dosen't exactally look "sporty" if you know what I mean.

That's basically what I was getting at. If you went all out with ground effects and a solid paint scheme, the '93 Cobra's would be perfect.

Your car glows with originality and cleanliness.
Now that I think of it, the turbines might have too much of a "dirty" look to them if you know what I mean. So the only wheels that have that same "clean" appearence of your originals would be the ponys. I think they would look awesome on your car.

Wheel options

Reply #7 –
Turbines.
It's Gumby's fault.

Wheel options

Reply #8 –
Anything BUT Ponies
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

Wheel options

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Chuck W
Anything BUT Ponies


i second that, dam straite lol.

about all i think would look desent would be turbines or the cobra wheels

Wheel options

Reply #10 –
i'd say anything but 4 lug cobra anythings. the 4 lug cobra wheels(r's,y2k's, etc) just look like ass
86 thunderbird elan

86 mustang coupe

Wheel options

Reply #11 –
i agree with that totally...if you cant hide the 4 lugs dont get them...i like them in this order...:
 
turbines or 93 cobra
pony
turbo coupe
cobra "r"
keep whatcha got
ten holes
:america: 1988 Thunderbird Sport, Former 4.6 DOHC T56 conversion project.

Rest of the country, Welcome to Massachusettes. Enjoy your stay.

 
Halfbreed... Mango Orange Y2K Mustang GT
FRPP complete 2000 Cobra engine swap, T56 n' junk...
~John~

Wheel options

Reply #12 –
I like the '93 Cobras the best.  I actually think 5 spokes make something seem more "sporty" and wouldn't neccesarily work as well with the two-tone.  Also, if you think about it, the MN-12 T-birds had a Cobraish fan wheel as an option and I think it worked well.  Maybe I can throw up a photoshop tomarrow (too busy tonight)
2000 Jaguar XK8 Convertible - 4.0L DOHC V8 (AJ27)
2018 Ford Explorer - 3.5L DOHC V6 (Duratec 35)
1999 Mercury Grand Marquis - 4.6L SOHC V8 (Modular)
1987 Mercury Cougar LS - 5.0L V8 (Windsor) [SOLD in 2009]

Wheel options

Reply #13 –
I like the 93 Cobra's because they hide the 4 lugs. Also someone is making them in the correct offset for 87-93 non-cobras. 17X8.5 I believe.

My favorites are the ROH ZR6 wheels but they were discontinued years ago. I was out bid last time a set came up on E-Bay:mad:
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 5.0 Turbocoupe (Katrina), 87 5.0 Sport (Rita)

Wheel options

Reply #14 –
93 Cobras or the Cobra R's.
2005 Subaru WRX STi|daily driver