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Ten Most Uncool Wheels for Your Ford

28K views 50 replies 36 participants last post by  PSIG 
#1 · (Edited)
Through the years, forums etiquette has nearly written itself with regard
to automotive websites like FordMuscle. One example is, it's a good idea
to keep "thumbs down" opinions about paint color and wheel selection to
yourself when commenting on a fellow Ford enthusiast's ride. Telling
someone in the forums "I wouldn't have chose that wheel" is almost like
saying their wife or girlfriend is ugly... it doesn't do anybody any good.
After all, wheel selection, paint, or any exterior add-ons, are
all a matter of taste, even if you and I both know the offset on those
slot mags are all wrong for the car.

However, leaving proper etiquette on the golf course, some of us are
willing to sacrifice our own popularity for the sake of preventing a fellow
enthusiast from making a fool of themselves. Like me. So after polling some of the FM staff and a few of our regular contributors, here's an unofficial list I gathered of the most uncool wheels for your Ford.

10. Chain Store Universal Wheel Cover

They're available at every auto parts chain store and even Wal-Mart. These ABS plastic wheel covers don't look good on a 1986 Buick Century or even in pieces beside a K-Rail.


9. Smoothies

Yes, I know I'm going to take some heat for this one. However, these
U.S. Wheel Smoothies are just too "cute as a button" for Ford muscle. Ding Dong.


8. Mustang II Wheel

Like an aborted Magnum 500 conceived by gothic parents, it's fortunate the 4 lug pattern of the Mustang II wheel prevents it from being bolted up to most Fords. Still, these things can find there way onto a Fox body Mustang.


7. Any OEM Mopar Wheel on a Ford

The common 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern of Ford and Mopar can allow for some
wacky interchanges. On rare occassions it can work, but for the most part any Mopar wheel on a Ford usually doesn't pass the test.


6. White 8-Spokes

Another popular model from U.S. Wheel, the White 8-Spoke looks OK
on real off-road 4-wheel drive vehicles, but not on a Ford street machine.


5. Gold and Chrome Directionals

Designed to look fast, "Directionals" are best sent in one direction only...
North of town to the metal recycler.


4. Enkei White Alloys

Retro is cool except when you put these pre-1988 white Enkei alloys on
anything other than a mini-truck or a Saab.


3. Neglected Steel Wheels

I guess rat rods are popular, but when taken to an extreme, pure neglect is very uncool.


2. Chrome Trailer Wheels

At first glance these things look OK but after a bit more study, trailer type wheels are just chrome versions of the off-road oriented White 8-Spokes in number 6 above.


1. Dub Dueces and Beyond

Do I need to say anything?


Top Three "Guilty Pleasures" for Your Ford - Wheels We Hate to Love

3. Vectors

The Duke boys used them and so did B.A. Baracus. What's not cool about a Vector? Surprised we don't see them used more often here on FordMuscle.


2. Center Line Auto Drag Wheels

They certainly say 80's but these classic centerlines will always be cool.


1. Slot Mags

Once they were everywhere, now they're not. That's just what makes slot mags the ultimate guilty pleasure in wheel selection.
 

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#29 · (Edited)
...the most uncool wheels for your Ford.


9. Smoothies





Top Three "Guilty Pleasures" for Your Ford - Wheels We Hate to Love

3. Vectors

2. Center Line Auto Drag Wheels

1. Slot Mags
I have to agree that smoothies are just too cutesy for a muscle car. There was a guy around here that had a really nice red 65/6 Mustang fastback, then went and ruined it with smoothies, 14 inchers at that. Even smoothies can be cool, but only on fat-body cars, and only when slammed in the weeds. Vectors are cool, and I think are being reproduced, but I very rarely see them on a Mopar, let alone anything else. Too bad, they could be pretty cool. Center Line auto drags are cool, but again, only on the right car. My dad has a 64 Montery that the P.O. put a/drags on, and they dont look so hot. Slotted mags are downright badass. I would so rock slotted mags if I had something to put them on!
 
#33 ·
That's just funny rite there...

I have never understood the big over size wheel and rubber band tire thing that is so popular these days.
And the funny thing is when you ask people that have gone that route why they did , most say because they think it looks cool. (Then I'm thinking to myself here's another car clueless one)

Then when you explain to them that a setup like that does nothing but hurt performance, they look at you like a deer in the head lights.

Big wheel = more lbs than tire with a sidewall, witch = more unsprung weight, = bad
no sidewall = no straight line traction = bad
no sidewall = really rough ride = bad

On trucks all the same, and no towing or load capacity = bad
 
#35 ·
Thanks for removing my hacked photograph of my actual wheel from your thread of what not to have on a Ford. :frown:

I assert that at car shows there is an appreciation in some circles of the look of original equipment on on a car or maintaining a period correct look when restoring a car. Often people are too anxious to put on a new wheel or tire that will ultimately detract from the appeal of a classic car.

Anyone can go buy a set of new styled wheels and mount them up, but in the minds of most people they only look appropriate on a new car that would call for such an upgrade.

I agree with thoughts previously expressed that putting oversize wheels and tires will in many cases harm performance by adding weight, altering actual gearing ratios,and reducing the ability of the tire to grab the road. Often times doing so will be counter productive and cause you problems on the track and with safety.

Allan

 
#39 ·
What you may think looks bad may not be what someone else thinks looks bad. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. This is most certainly true regarding custom wheels.

Frankly, I think this was a very lame Thread. Not worthy of front page display.

my 2 cents



Nope Nope, Sorry but there are some things that are always wrong.
ALWAYS.

Sometimes the "beholder" is on dope....:frown:
 
#41 ·
The great thing about wheels is that normally they can just be changed out and don't alter the car like so many other crazy things people do to cars. But then you had to go and show me this!!! :frown:
 
#49 ·
as the OP'er points out, wheel choice is much like wife or baby pics... sometimes you have a choice what they look like, sometimes you don't. budget restraints, time and availability might have a bigger influence on wheel choice for some more than others. some are just running what they got and it doesn't matter to them at all. personal taste has so many facets you can't begin to list them. maybe somebody grew up hating or liking a certain car with certain wheels on it, whether they're stock aftermarket or 'misplaced stock'. for some it just depends on the year/model style or what they view the car's purpose as to what wheel is 'right' or 'wrong'. hardcore draggers might not shine to Smoothies like a vintage cruiser will, nor will a survivor car or showpoints resto guy narrow tub and roll for Prostars

so ya wanna see Elvis' sideburns huh?

i don't have a pic of my slotted Mopar cop ralleys with baby moons, they're not painted Black yet and i was thinkin maybe havin 'em chromed







 
#51 ·
Cool! My Dad bought me one of those when I was 6 years old. Weird... you should be able to see the pedals, sproket, and chain under it...




Seriously, my wheel choice depends entirely on the particular car, it's lines, and purpose. It could be anything.
 
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