Sunday
Wheels Make the Ride: Part II
My fascination with wheels continues this week in a brief overview of how the wheels can make or break the ride. In nearly all cases, by the time the concept car hits the streets, the wheels have been reduced to roller skate wheels with hubcaps. I understand that in some cases, I am showing special editions or sport editions next to base models. The special editions should get special wheels, but raise the bar. Anything less than a well designed, properly sized wheel only brings down the entire car to mediocrity.
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3 comments:
When it comes to wheels I would have to say that we are very close in likes and dislikes. We've discussed the BMW look and how I have tried to find the same look for the Miata. You did convince me that you have to watchout for the cleaning factor.
One thing that I beleive you may have missed in your pictures is the steel wheel. Of course these were generally covered. I have some pretty good shots of a '66 Grand Prix and a '67 Bonnie with the hubcap look. The early Mustang did the same thing but not as pronounced it the cone shaped center. I also like the (ususally) gray or black wheel with the chrome moon type hubcap. VW and Porsche used these for years. Baby moons came later of the street cars and rods of American youth. I also like the newer Beetle wheel. It does for that car what BMW wheels do for the Bimmer, fill the wheel well flush.
All this goes back to the toy cars of such popularity, the Hotwheels cars. No matter what the vehicle, the wheel looked good.
I have always preferred flat black-primered steel wheels with no hubcaps. I smeared one into a curb, bent it to heck, and it still works well. Try that with aluminum 22" rims!
I have never gotten that into the wheel scene. I think I have been turned off by the 22" spinner crowd cluttering the autoshow. I hope the industry can turn away from the idea that every concept needs monster truck wheels (even though they know that there is no way they would be produced as such).
Side question: Do you ever see beauty in a small diameter wheel (under 15")?
Neil,
I have no love for flat black steel wheels. if flat black steel wheels where a choice, it would be the wrong choice. I'll definitely post about aftermarket wheels sometime soon. That's another animal.
However, I will go ahead and say that I love small diameter steel wheels on classic cars, especially with baby moons and beauty rings.
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