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best looking FL wheel covers...informal survey Jump to page : 1 2 3 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> 1955-1961 Forward Look MoPar General Discussion | Message format |
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT | OK, while being one to like stuff mostly stock, I'm not above a little tweaking here and there, color, brakes and suspension being one area. But my wheelcovers that came standard on a '58 Windsor are somewhat lacking in flash & appeal, downright boring really, so what 14" FL wheel covers do ya'll like? I'd cast a vote for those gold Adventurer jobs from a '57, but a good set of those is waaaay outta my budget... so what else is out there that's sharp, as we said back then? Prefer to stay Mopar if possible. Might consider 15" Mopar wheels as well, that opens up more possibilities. Edited by firedome 2013-05-29 4:27 PM | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | 1957 Dodge Spinners; end of story. | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3967 Location: DFW, TX | in my opinion -'57 Lancer -'57 Plymouth full wheelcover -'59 Plymouth full wheelcover -'56 Lancer -'59 Lancer | ||
christine-lover |
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Expert Posts: 2996 Location: Sept. 1958 | 1958 Dodge Spinners...end of story. | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3967 Location: DFW, TX | The '57 and '58 Dodge Lancer spinner hubcaps are basically the same wheelcover. The '58s are painted black in the center while the '57s were left natural. 1957 1958 Edited by 57burb 2013-05-29 6:31 PM | ||
Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | I like the 1957 Plymouth "Coolie Hats" The 1957 - 1959 Dodge spinners are neat on Dodges, but may not work as well on other makes. (Coolie Hat.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Coolie Hat.jpg (182KB - 459 downloads) | ||
Myke |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1110 Location: Tulare Ca | Im Gonna Submit 58-59 Desoto Hub Caps Or 58 Plymouth | ||
NorthernFins |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 471 Location: Central Alberta | my preferences: -1957 Plymouth, beauties - 1959 Plymouth, I put them on my `60 Saratoga to replace the stock ones, looks sharp Plymouth is where it`s at for FL hubcaps! Marty | ||
christine-lover |
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Expert Posts: 2996 Location: Sept. 1958 | 57burb - 2013-05-29 6:30 PM The '57 and '58 Dodge Lancer spinner hubcaps are basically the same wheelcover. The '58s are painted black in the center while the '57s were left natural. 1957 1958 I know, but the black makes it look so much better. | ||
61forfun |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 466 Location: Vancouver, Washington | 61 Dodge spinner hands down | ||
b5rt |
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Expert Posts: 2519 Location: central Illinois | First choice is the 57 Plymouth. Second is one I'm partial to, just like everyone else, because it's on my car! The 60 Desoto cover is the only Mopar cover of the era that I'm aware of that completely covers the wheel. | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8445 Location: Perth Australia | This is out of the fl era, but not by much Dodge fratzog, but there are simmilar Plymouth ones as well (Pic_0108_033.jpg) (plymouth spinner caps s.JPG) Attachments ---------------- Pic_0108_033.jpg (11KB - 310 downloads) plymouth spinner caps s.JPG (139KB - 412 downloads) | ||
w.weiland |
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Expert Posts: 1493 Location: Lordstown, Ohio | I like the 61 Dodge spinners | ||
skyhawk |
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Veteran Posts: 161 Location: newton north carolina | If you're going to allow 15 inch units, then I'll go for Chrysler 300G wheel covers (61-Chrysler_300G_Hardtop-DV-08_RMM_09.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 61-Chrysler_300G_Hardtop-DV-08_RMM_09.jpg (32KB - 294 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | A lot of the FL wheelcovers are rather flat and unadorned. I am surprised so many here rate the 57-9 Plymouth caps so highly. They are OK, but to receive top marks ? What about: 55-56 Dodge spinners ? 57-58 Dodge spinners ? 58 DeSoto spinners ? 61 Dodge spinners ? 57-58 NY'er ? 57-59 300 ? 57-59 Imperial ? I like wheelcovers with some depth and a smaller center protrusion. I find the ones with a big flat disc in the center to be totally unattractive. If there is some "busy-ness" it the center (like a fine spinner), all the better. Too much, like 59-60 Dodge, is just obnoxious. Some use the word "hubcap" above, but these are different, covering only the hub, or as I affectionately call them "dog dishies". Some look better than others, but all have a more collectively great look when installed on a stripper looking car. All-in-all, I'd give the 57-58 Dodge spinner the top mark for best looking Forward Look wheelcover. | ||
NorthernFins |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 471 Location: Central Alberta | b5rt - 2013-05-29 7:14 PM First choice is the 57 Plymouth. Second is one I'm partial to, just like everyone else, because it's on my car! The 60 Desoto cover is the only Mopar cover of the era that I'm aware of that completely covers the wheel. another one that completely covers the wheels is the 60 Dodge Polara hubcap, a pretty one as well! Marty | ||
jimntempe |
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Expert Posts: 2312 Location: Arizona | I like the 60 polara wheel covers also and my Matador has them. But I also like all the other wheel covers in this thread. Truth be told there are many cars I see with "mag" wheels on them where I think they just look out of place and the car would be a lot nicer looking with the factory wheel covers. | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | I'm also a fan of the Lancer '57-'58 wheel covers, and I've always been fond of the cone-shaped types as seen on the '57 Plymouth. The '61 DeSoto also had what I think were rather nifty wheel covers - very "space-age fifties": . Edited by FIN ME 2013-05-30 9:01 AM (61desoto.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 61desoto.jpg (123KB - 332 downloads) | ||
rockerarm |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 873 Location: ALABAMA, HEART OF DIXIE | what 14" FL wheel covers do ya'll like? One thing for sure..... It's NOT the 61 Plymouth covers...! I'm in tune with keeping the look original so will be using them on my 61, but giving the choice I would choose the 57 Plymouth cones first and then any year Dodge "spinner" type cover. | ||
FIN_NV |
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Expert Posts: 4589 Location: Northern New Jersey | My Buddies 56 CRL Spinners are very cool. I got a set of those 60-61 Desoto WC's if anyone's interested. | ||
ChristineFury |
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Veteran Posts: 254 Location: Auburndale Florida | 58 Plymouth, especially the gold center Fury hubcaps. The 56-59 gold Desoto hubcaps too. | ||
PlymouthFury |
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Expert Posts: 1324 Location: Hickory, NC | I just like the good ol dog dishes. Look good on any car! And they don't fly off on a hard turn either! | ||
fenix |
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Expert Posts: 2120 Location: atlanta | rockerarm - 2013-05-30 9:45 AM what 14" FL wheel covers do ya'll like? One thing for sure..... It's NOT the 61 Plymouth covers...! I'm in tune with keeping the look original so will be using them on my 61, but giving the choice I would choose the 57 Plymouth cones first and then any year Dodge "spinner" type cover. I don't know about that Will, they kinda grow on ya, in fact i was cleaning and polishing (and damm near cut a finger off) the 61 Fury covers and was thinking, "did they have a special department that just design's the wheel covers for the new cars coming out?" Some are really works of art in themselves, By the way, I'm trying to figure out how to touch up the black half circles on the 61 Plymouth covers. | ||
imopar380 |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7207 Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | b5rt - 2013-05-29 6:14 PM First choice is the 57 Plymouth. Second is one I'm partial to, just like everyone else, because it's on my car! The 60 Desoto cover is the only Mopar cover of the era that I'm aware of that completely covers the wheel. The 1960 Dodge 4-bar spinners completely cover the wheel as well, they're awesome lookin too. (Wenzel_Dodge.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Wenzel_Dodge.jpg (54KB - 273 downloads) | ||
catman |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 781 Location: Montreal, Canada | 1955-56 Imperial hubcaps are not too bad either. Imperial hubcaps are great !!!! (1956 Imperial Southamton.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1956 Imperial Southamton.jpg (272KB - 471 downloads) | ||
jimntempe |
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Expert Posts: 2312 Location: Arizona | fenix - 2013-05-30 12:03 PM rockerarm - 2013-05-30 9:45 AM I don't know about that Will, they kinda grow on ya, in fact i was cleaning and polishing (and damm near cut a finger off) the 61 Fury covers and was thinking, "did they have a special department that just design's the wheel covers for the new cars coming out?" Some are really works of art in themselves, By the way, I'm trying to figure out how to touch up the black half circles on the 61 Plymouth covers.what 14" FL wheel covers do ya'll like? One thing for sure..... It's NOT the 61 Plymouth covers...! I'm in tune with keeping the look original so will be using them on my 61, but giving the choice I would choose the 57 Plymouth cones first and then any year Dodge "spinner" type cover.
I don't know if they still do, and kind of doubt it, but I recall reading in a car history book about some junior engineer at one of the big three who's first assignment was to design wheel covers. | ||
kmccabe56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 390 | d500neil - 2013-05-29 5:04 PM 1957 Dodge Spinners; end of story. Absolutely, flat down, no question. | ||
realgone58 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1111 Location: Ocala, Florida | kmccabe56 - 2013-05-30 4:37 PM d500neil - 2013-05-29 5:04 PM 1957 Dodge Spinners; end of story. Absolutely, flat down, no question. Yep. Although there are lots of good looking ones already mentioned. I too don't understand why so many favor the '57 Plymouth cover. It's the most plain cover there was for FL cars...........and our cars certainly are not plain. I use the stock '58 Plymouth covers on my 58 Belvie, but my '61 Belvie has stock '61 Plymouth caps on the back, and '57 Dodge spinners on the front. I guess if you really like two different caps, you could run two alike on one side and two alike on the other. Can't see both sides of the car at the same time! | ||
catman |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 781 Location: Montreal, Canada | 1961 Imperial wheel cover are pretty wild. (1961 Imperial HC.jpg) (1961 IMPERIAL HC -1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1961 Imperial HC.jpg (141KB - 822 downloads) 1961 IMPERIAL HC -1.jpg (16KB - 328 downloads) | ||
lownslow |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 440 Location: Vermont | I'm partial to the 59 Imperial. | ||
Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | realgone58 - 2013-05-30 4:12 PM I too don't understand why so many favor the '57 Plymouth cover. It's the most plain cover there was for FL cars...........and our cars certainly are not plain. For my part, the 1957 cover is a classic design. Plain? Maybe, but very well done - also, it think it transfers well to any of the 14" forwardlook cars. In addition, they are inexpensive and readily available - that's a big bonus. The 1957 -1958 Dodge spinners are great, but expensive for a good set because of the pot-metal spinners. Then, you get the knight's head - great if you have a Lancer, but hard to pair up with all the lions on Roger's car. There is a reason the 1957-1958 Dodge spinners were stolen so much: they are cool! However, when I see them on anything else, I always think - that fella stole those covers from a Dodge owner! | ||
JT Vincent |
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Expert Posts: 1493 Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | Those fake KH wire wheel covers from JC Whitney look hot. J/K. It depends on the car, no? The dog dish looks badass on a 2 door sedan. | ||
rockerarm |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 873 Location: ALABAMA, HEART OF DIXIE | 1957 cover is a classic design. Plain? Maybe, but very well done - also, it think it transfers well to any of the 14" forwardlook cars. I agree, The 57 wheel covers are understated and very elegant. They will enhanse not only the FW cars but most any car with 14" wheels. | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7808 Location: Williams California | rockerarm - 2013-05-31 11:53 AM 1957 cover is a classic design. Plain? Maybe, but very well done - also, it think it transfers well to any of the 14" forwardlook cars. I agree, The 57 wheel covers are understated and very elegant. They will enhanse not only the FW cars but most any car with 14" wheels. I agree also, Will. I have sold quite a few sets to guys building vintage hot rods. ---John | ||
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT | Lots of choices out there - this is going to be hard! Thanks for the opinions & pics folks! | ||
reed.bradzsavoytoy57 |
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Veteran Posts: 245 Location: Lewisville, TX. | The 57 Plymouth cones are the best in my opinion as many have mentioned. I hope I dont make any enemies, but I have never liked the dog dish hubcap. | ||
mopardave |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 654 Location: NC | 1958 Plymouth Fury! No question about it!! | ||
slimwhitman |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 988 Location: Kansas City, Kansas | You have to travel outside the U.S. for the best forwardlook hubcaps.... (60Chry hubcap from australia.jpg) (60Forwardlook Hubcap2.jpg) (58Fargo Sweptside Pickup-LtGrey & Red-wheel-canada.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 60Chry hubcap from australia.jpg (263KB - 528 downloads) 60Forwardlook Hubcap2.jpg (37KB - 259 downloads) 58Fargo Sweptside Pickup-LtGrey & Red-wheel-canada.jpg (64KB - 281 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | reed.bradzsavoytoy57 - 2013-06-01 3:00 PM The 57 Plymouth cones are the best in my opinion as many have mentioned. I hope I dont make any enemies, but I have never liked the dog dish hubcap. ================================================= Remember, the question was about BEST LOOKING. The dog dishies are purposely ugly, and by association, cool for being so utilitarian and unattractive. It is exactly why I hunted down a dog dish stripper, I wanted the opposite of bling and glam and good looking. And I am openminded enough to acknowledge that they ARE ugly ! | ||
chrysler300c |
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Expert ,, George Passed away July 28th 2021, He will be Missed Posts: 1295 Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | I agree... the top one in the above post is the greatest. I had a set of these.... THree were very rusty and one was pristine. I foolishly sold the one good one. I really regret it. George | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Rusty ? Aren't they stainless with potmetal centers ? | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | And, based upon the most popular, among the five-fingered-discount-delinquents, the 57 Dodge Spinners won "hands" down. A distant second place went to the Oldsmobuick 'flipper' wheel covers. Third place went to the 55-56 Dodge spinners. | ||
old mopar guy |
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Expert Posts: 1508 Location: new york | 57 Plymouths!!! Look great on anything!... | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Maybe it's just my personal fetish of import, but mixing wheel covers to the wrong cars just doesn't look right to me. My brother runs 60-61 DeSoto caps on his 61 Polara and I think they look like crap. Actually, to be accurate, it reminds me of the dark days when these cars were largely beaters and many ran whatever they could find on them because they couldn't find the right ones or they did not care. I'd rank 61 Dodge spinners way up there on the "best of" list, and they are made even better because you NEVER SEE THEM ! Yet he hangs those on the wall and runs the DeSoto caps. I don't get it, but it's his car. I can understand it more if your car's OEM wheelcovers are just plain ugly, but for 61 Dodge, they are better looking than the car !!!! I guess it's all fair in love and war. He groans over me running wires on my cars, so .... Edited by Doctor DeSoto 2013-06-01 8:24 AM | ||
fenix |
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Expert Posts: 2120 Location: atlanta | rockerarm - 2013-05-31 2:53 PM 1957 cover is a classic design. Plain? Maybe, but very well done - also, it think it transfers well to any of the 14" forwardlook cars. I agree, The 57 wheel covers are understated and very elegant. They will enhanse not only the FW cars but most any car with 14" wheels. "Flying Saucer" LOL, Your right they do look like something out of a 50's el cheapo science fiction flick dangling on a thin wire in the background. Gotta admit there are some good looking covers I never thought about, those 61 Imperial's look good, the spinners from the 65/66 Satellite (I believe) are nice also. I think my top two would have to be the 60 Dodge 4 bar flippers and the 61 Dodge 3 bar flippers, I seem to recollect the 57 Plymouth style was kinda copied by an aftermarket company and sold at stores like Western Auto, we had a name for them "pointed moons" I believe. Edited by fenix 2013-06-01 10:22 AM | ||
mstrug |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 6503 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | I like mine http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x403/58belvedere/Whichisbest200... Edited by mstrug 2013-06-01 3:03 PM | ||
christine-lover |
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Expert Posts: 2996 Location: Sept. 1958 | These were on eBay. They had a price of $5,000.00 on them. (image.jpg) (image.jpg) Attachments ---------------- image.jpg (130KB - 317 downloads) image.jpg (105KB - 253 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | WOW! The D-300 spinners are very rare. | ||
d500neil |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil! Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca | Truly Unobtanium. | ||
christine-lover |
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Expert Posts: 2996 Location: Sept. 1958 | This was the ad from the auction: "You're looking at a 1 of a kind prototype, or special order hubcap set, for the mid to late 50's Chrysler 300. Here's the story. I got these from a guy who said that his friends father had worked for a hubcap company in Michigan. Both father and son have passed, and the friend acquired these caps. That is all the information I have on these. The quality of these caps, tells me they were made in a factory, with all the equipment needed to do the job right. They were either made special for a client, or somebody in the plant. All caps and emblems are Chrysler parts, the spinner has a part # on it along with a symbol. These caps are used and have some sign of usage. But, they were definitely early takeoffs. I've never seen a crossbar molded with a hole in the center for a plastic center. The red metal brace was machine punched to fit this cap perfectly. The correct silver paint, as on the outside squares of the 1957 300, makes me believe that this was for a '57 C. The center was used in '55 and '56, and the cap and crossbars were used on the '57 Dodge. Also, the caps are 14 inch, and were 14's starting in '57. More pictures are available at request. These are simply the only ones in existence. I can only imagine what these looked like on the car they were made for. This is your chance to own a piece of automotive history that you just can't copy today. The original tape under the red brace proves its real age. The man that made these caps, should've been working for Chrysler. These caps are truly stunning. And I'm honored to have even held these personally. I'm offering them now to anybody who just has to have these. They would be an awesome conversation piece hanging on a wall in a showroom, or museum. These are someones creation, and are forms of art. It might still be possible to trace the origins of these caps." | ||
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