Wire wheel covers

F

Ford coupe

Senior Member
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..
 
Ford coupe said:
Is 55 t bird the same as 55 Ford ?/
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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.
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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!
 
Yep, they're a PITA.

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!!
 
dmsfrr said:
Reproduction '55/'56 wire wheel covers are available that fasten on the wheels like a regular wheel cover, ...
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KULTULZ said:
Do you know a source? Sounds like the perfect alternative if they use the OEM hub cap ...
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KULTULZ, there are more than a few places that sell restoration parts for '55/'57 Thunderbirds and I don't want to leave out someones favorite.

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=195...parts&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=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+cover&post_type=product


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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.
 
Anteek29 said:
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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Due to the annoyance of not being easy to get to the valve stems, I don't check the air pressure as often as I should. The ones with the holes would be a good solution to that.

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.
 

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Anteek29 said:
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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Looks like the perfect solution, although expensive-


1130EV.jpg

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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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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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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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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