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08-17-2017, 07:56 PM | #1 |
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Location: Napanee ontario Canada
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Wire wheel covers
Really would like to put a set of wire whl discs on my 55 crown but have heard they are a pain you know where..They are a nice addition to the 55 56 crowns but?..So some opinions and where is the best place to buy them? Thanks..
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08-17-2017, 08:21 PM | #2 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
Any T-Bird parts supplyer will have reproductions.
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08-17-2017, 09:29 PM | #3 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
Is 55 t bird the same as 55 Ford ?/
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08-17-2017, 09:30 PM | #4 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
If they both use a 15" wheel... the outer wire basket part of the wheel cover would fit. I'm assuming the center cap tabs of the wheels are the same. The T-bird wheels are 15x5, pretty sure the full sized '55 Ford cars used the same. (possible exceptions: station wagons & Mercs.)
Reproduction '55/'56 wire wheel covers are available that fasten on the wheels like a regular wheel cover, or with the oem style spring clips. They'll take a big bite out of your wallet. Many folks that have the original spring clip style aren't overly happy them. . Last edited by dmsfrr; 08-17-2017 at 09:55 PM. |
10-20-2018, 11:20 AM | #5 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
They came with my '55 Victoria. Look so nice but are a royal PAIN. I had to remove the fender skirts, then pop open the springy covers before I could access the valve stems to check tire pressure. Ugh!
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Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria |
10-21-2018, 07:01 AM | #6 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
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To check/fill the tires with air, you have to take off the skirts, spring the rings out (like in dmsfrr's pic), then put your gauge thru the wire basket to get to the valve stem and hold it there. You can't use long valve stems (which may have made this process easier) because they won't fit under the rings. Also, the rings squeak if you don't use/accurately locate the rubber blocks on each spring. BUT, they DO look great!! |
10-21-2018, 08:59 AM | #7 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
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10-21-2018, 09:33 AM | #8 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
That pic is eye candy, Kultulz
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Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria |
10-21-2018, 09:57 AM | #9 | |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
Quote:
Do you know a source? Sounds like the perfect alternative if they use the OEM hub cap ...
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10-21-2018, 01:55 PM | #10 | ||
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Re: Wire wheel covers
Quote:
Quote:
A quick google search might turn up a page like this one, with several to choose from. A phone call to them will usually get you a free parts catalog. https://www.google.com/search?q=1957...firefox-b-1-ab Here are two links just as an example of the wheel covers available. http://www.classictbird.com/Wheels-Hubcaps/products/28/ https://www.larrystbird.com/?s=wheel...t_type=product . Last edited by dmsfrr; 10-21-2018 at 02:03 PM. |
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10-21-2018, 02:22 PM | #11 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
DMSFRR...The Casco 1130EV cover with the valve stem hole looks like a great solution.
Thinking about ordering 2 for the rear wheels for evaluation.
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Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria |
10-21-2018, 03:27 PM | #12 | |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
Quote:
You might as well get price quotes from several places, chances are good they all come from the same manufacturer. I've seen comments from a few owners of the valve-stem-hole version that they can 'walk' around the rim and bend the valve stem over. I need to buy new tires for my '55 (photo 1) in the next few weeks and may go with after-market wheels, haven't decided yet. A full set of blackwall tires and 5 spoke wheels (example, photo 2) seems to be less expensive than the *deluxe* wide whitewall tires. Last edited by dmsfrr; 10-23-2018 at 12:27 PM. |
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10-21-2018, 07:21 PM | #13 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
Looks good with the black walls and 5 spoke (Americans?) wheels
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48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria |
10-21-2018, 10:48 PM | #14 | |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
Quote:
As for the wheel cover 'walking', you merely bend the retaining flanges outwards for greater tension just like it was done then. THANX! dmsfrr
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10-21-2018, 11:32 PM | #15 | ||
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Re: Wire wheel covers
Quote:
(You're welcome) Quote:
https://www.americanracing.com/wheel...-torq-thrust-d . Last edited by dmsfrr; 10-23-2018 at 12:29 PM. |
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10-22-2018, 03:36 AM | #16 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
A Ford enthusiast that I knew about 30 years ago had an Australian 1956 Ford Customline Sedan and located a set of NOS Accessory Wire Wheel Covers. He was not impressed about having to lever them out to check the Tyre Pressure, so neatly drilled a hole for the Valve to poke through in each Cover. After fitting his reworked Wire Wheel Covers and feeling very proud of his achievement, he took the Ford for a short drive. He was shocked to discover that all four Wire Wheel Covers had moved, and not a single Valve was protruding. One set of NOS Wire Wheel Covers ruined.
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10-22-2018, 07:11 AM | #17 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
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***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
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10-22-2018, 07:43 AM | #18 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
THE FINAL SOLUTION
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***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
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10-23-2018, 11:31 AM | #19 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
after spending good money on a set years ago.I found the same problem with valve stems said to hell with cost if I had to remove to check tire pressure.I held off drilling a hole for stem then found as mercman mentioned his friend found the covers moved and were going to cut stem to say nothing of if not cutting the stem I was left with the same problem of having to remove to access valve stem.while I loved the look they now are expensive wall hangers.I now sport poverty caps with black rims.as wheel discs had same problem after putting on radials.they joined my wires as wall hangers
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10-23-2018, 04:07 PM | #20 |
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Re: Wire wheel covers
A friend of mine likes Accessory Wire Wheel Covers and located a set of After Market Wire Wheel Covers to fit to his imported 1955 Ford Crown Victoria. As you can see, the outside is not as wide as the originals, and these have the provision of a hole for the valve. They look good without the inconvenience of the originals. I know that in Judging, he would loose points, but these are much more practical. |
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