'83 with TC Wheels April 08, 2006, 06:40:45 PM I changed from the ARE wheels that I have had on there since '99. The guy I bought the TC wheels from had them refinished. 2 layers of powder coat, and 3 layers of clear. At least that is what he told me. I used the Ford centercaps instead of the Thunderbird cause the birds were different. Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #1 – April 08, 2006, 07:02:16 PM honestly, i like the ARE's better... and i don't like ARE's. it's the ground fx's and the trim. some chrome bullitt's would look awesome. you car is so shiny that it really NEEDS shiny wheels. sorry to say, but your paint job is too good for those wheels, lol. Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #2 – April 08, 2006, 07:21:29 PM I tend to disagree.. I am honestly digging how the snowflakes look, I really can't explain why.. but it just looks sweet. Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #3 – April 08, 2006, 07:24:23 PM top one makes it look like a sports car............ bottom looks like a luxury car...all in all i like the ARE's better Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #4 – April 08, 2006, 07:42:56 PM I actually like the ARE's better too. Not that the snowflakes look bad because they don't. I just don't think they match your car as well. I'm with darkthunder on this one. Your car has so many chrome accents that contrast the paint so well that the chrome wheels look perfect for it. The snowflakes almost look like they are painted flat grey to me. I'm sure it has something to do with the white lettered tires on the ARE's as well. Not trying to sound too negative here though, its your car and your choice, 7 years of the same thing does get old. Another thing I like about the ARE's is that they are dished. The snowflakes are so flat, I just feel they are out of place with the look of your car. They seem to detract from the sinister appearence of your car. Just my :2c: Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #5 – April 08, 2006, 08:05:15 PM i like the AREs to lol...what kind of rear spoiler is that? never seen one before like that I dont think... Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #6 – April 08, 2006, 08:06:11 PM Either way your car is sop freaking amazingly badass, that they both look smokin, I agree that they give off two different styles. The chrome bullets would look rad, or how about some wheels of a 67 GT 500? I just watched Gone In 60 Seconds, and forgot how badass of a car that is. So yeah, getting the snowflakes chromed might get a more sporty look to it. Either way man, you're car is a killer! Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #7 – April 08, 2006, 08:25:07 PM ARE's = RacecarSnowflakes = CruiserI think your car looks badass either way Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #8 – April 08, 2006, 09:49:06 PM One of the biggest reasons I changed to the snowflakes, is I have an 8.8 out of a TC for my car. I was told that you can't run anything smaller than a 15" and the ARE are only 14". I agree I do like the look if the chrome better, I always have. Two of my three other vehicles have chrome wheels, and I thought about having the snowflakes chromed. But there are only a couple of places around here that do plating, and for a "show finish" its going to run between $900 and $1300. Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #9 – April 08, 2006, 09:56:28 PM Quote from: Banei like the AREs to lol...what kind of rear spoiler is that? never seen one before like that I dont think...I am not sure what the spoiler is. I bought the car from the original owner, and it had a trunk lid on it that had the contiental kit look to it. After I agreed to buy the car the guy was like "by the way I have a different trunk lid with a spoiler, the complete GFX kit, and the chrome wheel arches I let you have it all for $100." Without thinking I asked my dad if I could borrow another $100. We loaded the stuff in the van and brought it home that day. Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #10 – April 08, 2006, 10:45:32 PM I like the snowflakes much better. Nice work. Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #11 – April 08, 2006, 11:44:14 PM I like the snowflakes too. The snowflakes look period correct and have a stock look (even though they came out five years later) and they fill the wheel wells much better, while the ARE's look like cheap aftermarket chrome wheels (I had nearly identical wheels on my '85, but they were made by Cragar, and they were cheap). The car looks like a nice car with cheap rims with the ARE's and 14" white letter tires aren't helping to dispell that look.In other words, if you're gonna go with an aftermarket rim, go with a nice one. The ARE's might look good on an otherwise stock T-Bird or Cougar (anything looks better than chrome wire wheels or polycast turds) but with the goodies on yours your car deserves better. A stock look that compliments the car is better than cheap aftermarket wheels.Believe me, those ARE's don't make that car look like a race car, and well they shouldn't, because it isn't one (that's a good thing). They make it look like somebody wanted to make it look like a race car but didn't want to spend any money on the wheels. The TC wheels, with their 16" diameter and low profile tires look much sportier IMO.No disrespect for your chosing the ARE's, of course. After all, I've got cheap ol' 10-holes on mine (for now, a set of restored TC wheels just like yours is going on soon)As for the TC rear, I don't know about the rear brakes but a 15" rim is required for the 11" front brake conversion Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #12 – April 09, 2006, 12:37:52 AM just polish the snowflakes. thats what i want to do with mine I agree your car is missing some bling without those rims. but all in all, I love your bird. I was all over that thing at cat jam. Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #13 – April 10, 2006, 05:46:52 PM Quote from: CougarSEjust polish the snowflakes. thats what i want to do with mine I agree your car is missing some bling without those rims. ditto.. just needs something shiny. I don't think you could go to wrong with anywheels you put on there as long as they were chrome to match the trim, that is one bad ass looking 'bird. Quote Selected
'83 with TC Wheels Reply #14 – April 12, 2006, 09:49:37 PM I like the flakes better. I think they need to be polished. But all in all I must as that is one BAAAADDDD AAAAAASSSSSSS!!:bowdown: Four-eye. Wish my 84 looked that good. Any how Those ARE's are the same thing my 84 came with after one of the previous owners got ride of the 14.5" factory's Quote Selected
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