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Poll

Which wheel would look best on my Thunderbird?

Total Members Voted: 32

Topic: Wheel options (Read 3744 times) previous topic - next topic

Wheel options

Reply #15 –
keep your car just the way it is.Its beautiful. Or better yet put the 10 hole rims on. the round holes on your car make it stand out.

Wheel options

Reply #16 –
I'm becoming more of a fan of the 93 Cobras...and I'd like them even more if I can verify that the MN-12 center caps will fit, making them look stock on a Foxbody.
pro-five-oh

88 Cougar XR-7...5.0HO, T-56, and much more                             
85 Thunderbird 30th...#2471, 29k, all original and might actually stay that way
 

Wheel options

Reply #17 –
well the mn12 centercaps fit my tc wheels, and 10 holes. so i'd be willing to bet they fit them as well

Wheel options

Reply #18 –
Isn't the 93 Cobra center cap a goofy size that doesn't match any other Ford wheel? I'm really starting to loke the idea of silver 93 Cobra wheels. I've found them in a 17X8.5 size. That *should* fit on my Bird ok. Now I just have to wait till I can afford them and a set of tires:hick:
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Wheel options

Reply #19 –
You think your car doesn't look sporty, but you would be surprised how sporty it will look with new wheels. Even my old sage green '85 V6 'Bird looked badass with a set of cheap 14" Cragar chrome steelies. I have probably said it a million times: Wheels absolutely make the car.

My take on your question:
  • 10-holes are way overdone IMO (and I have a set on my car, so it hurts to say it). They do look good on any year Fox 'Bird or Cougar, and they are cheap because Mustang guys pretty much give 'em away (I got mine for $50), but they don't turn heads. I think the allure of them went away when they became standard fare on early 90's 4-cyl LX Mustangs.
  • Turbines are one of the nicest looking wheels Ford ever made, but they are a PITA to keep clean. Keep 'em clean, though, and they are awesome. Paint between the spokes body colour (or in your case, the darker of the two body colours) and you'll really have something.
  • The TC wheels look correct on any T-Bird if not for any other reason than they were designed for and used exclusively on T-Birds. They even look good on Cougars, Mustangs and Capris, and they are fairly easy to clean up and keep clean. They look fairly modern while still looking 80's retro (or in our case "period correct"). I'll be restoring my TC wheels the same way I restored my Ten-Holes and using them on my own car. You can also paint between the "holes" body color with these wheels, and you can polish the face up for a very attractive and relatively uncommon wheel.
  • Pony wheels are nice, but they are far too expensive for what they are - seems everyone with a set to sell thinks they're made of gold. They also just look too "Mustang" for me, and they seem to look better on Cougars than Thunderbirds
  • No matter how "bellybutton" or "overdone" Cobra R's may be, I still love 'em. In my opinion, nothing can be "bellybutton" on a car as scarce and unique as a fox 'Bird - let's face it , there may only be a few in your state, and of those few how many have Cobra R's? I'm not really keen on the exposed 4-lug with a 5-spoke look, but it's not a deal breaker, and it's not uncommon - most ricers only have four lugs and they use 5-spoke wheels all over the place. If I didn't have the TC wheels to use I'd probably be looking for some chrome Cobra R's.
  • I don't like the '93 Cobra wheels. Didn't like 'em on Mustangs, didn't like the 15" version later installed on Thunderbirds. However, if painted black (as shown in a photo somewhere else on this site) they still have their appeal...
So there ya have it: If you're going for a "Stock" but upgraded appearance go with some restored TC wheels. If you want it to look like you've got aftermarket wheels, go with the Cobra R's. But that's only my opinion ;)
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Wheel options

Reply #20 –
Quote from: Nate
well the mn12 centercaps fit my tc wheels, and 10 holes. so i'd be willing to bet they fit them as well


I thought both the mn-12 and 93 cobra centers were bigger, but it makes sense if they were all the same size. One of these days I might actually buy a set of those wheels for the car and see for myself...
pro-five-oh

88 Cougar XR-7...5.0HO, T-56, and much more                             
85 Thunderbird 30th...#2471, 29k, all original and might actually stay that way

Wheel options

Reply #21 –
im more curious as too why the mark viii and i "think" the mn12 tbirds/cougars got a different 5 lug pattern vs the standard one....
: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 #22 –
Quote from: shame302
im more curious as too why the mark viii and i "think" the mn12 tbirds/cougars got a different 5 lug pattern vs the standard one....

Huh?

Not sure what you're saying, but yes the MN-12 5-lug bolt pattern is not the same as the SN-95 Mustang.  It is a smaller bolt circle IIRC.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

Wheel options

Reply #23 –
i was just saying that i wonder why the mark viii and the mn12 tbird/cougar got a different bolt pattern than what they went to on the sn95 mustangs.
: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 #24 –
Ah...dunno....more Blue Oval Wisdom I assume...
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

Wheel options

Reply #25 –
Blue Oval Wisdom. Truly an oxymoron...

The Mark VIII and MN12 use the FWD Taurus/Sable/Windstar pattern and wheel offset. Perhaps Ford used a different pattern to prevent people from putting RWD-offset wheels on their T-Birds?

To further fuzzy things up, the DEW98 platform (Linc LS, new T-Bird, Jag) use the same small bolt pattern, but the S197 Mustang, which is supposedlly based on that platform (though it must be loosely based, as it has a solid axle and struts) uses the old "big" pattern. And Volvo uses (and used) the "small" pattern on both FWD and RWD models.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Wheel options

Reply #26 –
Well I think I'm going to go with either Turbo Coupe or 93 Cobra wheels. Just one favor. Could anyone photo shop both sets on to my Tbird so I could get an idea of how they would look? Thanks :D
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Wheel options

Reply #27 –
Eh I changed my mind again. I'm going to go with Turbines. :D
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Wheel options

Reply #28 –
I think turbines are alittle bit over done....

Your car your choice. Whatever makes you happy.

I voted 93 cobra's. they look killer in black.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Wheel options

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Thunder Chicken
Blue Oval Wisdom. Truly an oxymoron...

The Mark VIII and MN12 use the FWD Taurus/Sable/Windstar pattern and wheel offset. Perhaps Ford used a different pattern to prevent people from putting RWD-offset wheels on their T-Birds?

To further fuzzy things up, the DEW98 platform (Linc LS, new T-Bird, Jag) use the same small bolt pattern, but the S197 Mustang, which is supposedlly based on that platform (though it must be loosely based, as it has a solid axle and struts) uses the old "big" pattern. And Volvo uses (and used) the "small" pattern on both FWD and RWD models.

Also, the newer, fwd Lincoln continental uses that same lug pattern, '89 Thunderbirds look pretty sharp with the "lace mesh" alloys on.

But, am I safe to say that Mark Vii wheels are the same lug pattern as 94-04 Mustang?
(I'd guess they are, from what I've read about using the mk7 stuff for 5 lug/brake conversions)
Just wanna get a definite yay or nay..
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)