Wire disc on 55

[Ford coupe]

Can someone tell me what problems I will have installing a set of wire wheel discs on my 55..I have a bit of an idea as to how the clips work but wonder about the faceplate on the continental? Do I need to take the cover ring off plus the facelate and do I need to do any mods to the partial faceplate itself as it now covers the wheel completely to the original wheel cover..So I really don't want to spend a pile to get into a pile of trouble that is..PS This is the original style cont kit..Thanks Barners

[dmsfrr]

Are you asking about on a '55 Thunderbird, or something else?
The original wire basket style wheelcovers in '55/'56 were held on with spring clips. After-market versions are available that snap on like most all newer wheelcovers.

There was no "factory" cont kit on '55 T-Birds but there were a few after-market and/or 'dealer installed' versions, as well as diy projects.

>edit<
Is this for the '55 Crown Vic you've mentioned in other posts? Close-up photos of the existing 'as installed' opening in your spare tire cover may help.
The wire basket style wheelcover does cover the outer lip of the wheel, approx 12mm in depth and is also slightly larger in diameter than the wheel.
.

[Ford coupe]

OK i have been on here before and my car is a 55 crown vic..The faceplate on my continental kit looks much like the one on the green bird but the original wheel cover does not sit down inside the faceplate but rather rests on top edge and actually covers a bit of the faceplate So is it possible that the new wire covers just cover a bit more of the faceplate??? Thanks

[Ford coupe]

PS could not bring the black or blue in for a better piture..Enlarge that is..

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Ford coupe

PS could not bring the black or blue in for a better piture..Enlarge that is..

Enlarged them a bit for you.
They're photos I copied from somewhere so there wasn't too much I could do with them.

There is no cover panel over the tire on the black car. What almost looks like a white tire cover is actually the wide whitewall.

55 with kit 2c.jpg

55 with kit c.jpg

[Ford coupe]

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OK the turquise bird has the same faceplate as mine i am sure as the disc fits over the top of the faceplate as mine would..Now the do i or dont i They sure are pretty..THANKS Harry

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Ford coupe

...The faceplate on my continental kit looks much like the one on the green bird but the original wheel cover does not sit down inside the faceplate but rather rests on top edge and actually covers a bit of the faceplate So is it possible that the new wire covers just cover a bit more of the faceplate??? Thanks

Originally Posted by Ford coupe

OK the turquise bird has the same faceplate as mine i am sure as the disc fits over the top of the faceplate as mine would..Now the do i or dont i They sure are pretty..THANKS Harry

Yes. The wire basket wheel cover ring is a larger diameter than the other wheel covers.

If you've never had the pleasure of having these on a set of wheels....
Photo 1. The spring clips hook onto the outer lip of the wheel and have another hook at the inner end to fasten into a lip on the back of the wheel cover ring. (photo 2) The square-ish rubber piece on the spring clip is to keep the wheel cover from rattling against the wheel or rubbing on the tire.

Photo 3. Side view of back side

Photo 4. Overall outside diameter of the wire wheel cover ring. Approx 16 & 5/8 inches. (422mm)

Photo 5. Outside diameter of the center tapered portion. Approx 13 & 3/8 inches. (340mm)

I would imagine something could be used to prevent the outer back edge of the wheel cover ring from scuffing the paint around the opening in the spare tire cover.
.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

Yes. The wire basket wheel cover ring is a larger diameter than the other wheel covers.

If you've never had the pleasure of having these on a set of wheels....
Photo 1. The spring clips hook onto the outer lip of the wheel and have another hook at the inner end to fasten into a lip on the back of the wheel cover ring. (photo 2) The square-ish rubber piece on the spring clip is to keep the wheel cover from rattling against the wheel or rubbing on the tire.

Photo 3. Side view of back side

Photo 4. Overall outside diameter of the wire wheel cover ring. Approx 16 & 5/8 inches. (422mm)

Photo 5. Outside diameter of the center tapered portion. Approx 13 & 3/8 inches. (340mm)

I would imagine something could be used to prevent the outer back edge of the wheel cover ring from scuffing the paint around the opening in the spare tire cover.
.

Excuse me please for Walking Through The Graveyard, but I was Carousing With My Browser and need some info if you will...





The wire wheel cover itself, did it "push-in - swivel" with those retaining clips to go against the wheel/tire assy?

(Let's see how long this photo will stay up... )

[dmsfrr]

KULTULZ, The wire basket portion pushes/pulls straight in and out on the flat springs.
The springs flex enough to create an over-center effect that can hold it out, or firmly in against the rubber bumpers.

For Ford coupe, I found another photo of the wheel opening in a tire cover, although with wire wheels on a '56 Bird.

[KULTULZ]

APPRECIATE THAT!

I learned something today...