I recently acquired a 1985 XJS V12. It has the 5 spoke 16" rims on it, and I wanted to try them on the car I just refinished and see how it looked.
What are your thoughts YaY or Nay.


This is the car they came from, a real hurting future project.




And this is the car I switched them to











Which do you prefer?
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

the five spoke were never anything to brag about.

 

Gunner01,

I think that the 5-spokes without the spoke groove look really good on the big-bumper cars. Your wheels are the earlier 5-spoke, with the groove, which don't look quite as good to me.

However, your really nice red car has the lattice wheels which are a great look on the smaller bumpered car.

In the end, it won't matter what any of us think. It's your car so do whatever floats your boat!

Paul

 

I think the Lattice wheels make it look more classy..
And the 5 spoke make it look more sporty...

Either way, nice looking XJS...

Cheers
David
Everyday XJ

 

I agree with davidboger. As to which I prefer? I'm being influenced by the lighting in the photos: top one taken at the right time of day and the car looks fantastic. Bottom one, the light does not flatter the car at all, so I don't like it as much.

I like the tire choices in the 16". I'd not be tempted to remove the 15" lattice if there were affordable 235/60-15 tires available.

 

I like both!

On *this* particular car, though, I'd give the nod to the 15" Lattice type. Too bad about the lousy choices in 15" tires these days, though

Cheers
DD

 

I agree with David. 5 spoke looks sporty. Lattice looks classy. I have very little class and prefer sporty over classy.

 

Thanks all for the compliments and opinions. I know how I feel about the looks of the two wheels, I have been accused of having poor taste in the past so I was looking for confirmation. I , like others think the 5 spoke are sporty looking but the paint on the car I think calls for a classy looking wheel.

 

Both look good. Both types of rims where carefully designed to compliment the XJS by those who designed this car. Can't go wrong with either one of these or any of the factory rims.

 

Ohhhhh nice, either way.

I think we here all immediately associate the five spokes with the latest facelifts. So to me (and us) the five spokes make it look like a newer model. This would be heresy to some. But I agree with the above, it's more of a sporty look. I do like the 16" size on the XJS.

But I would predict that overall, outside observers would choose the classic look of the lattices. They seem to suit the classic nature of this classic!

One item of notice that I feel strongly about... you did well in eliminating the fender trims!!

 

That is really what I was after, the "outside observer" and what they would see not being familiar with these cars.


HaHa! the stainless trims, I still have them if you want them.

 

Beautiful paint color and car. I like both sets of wheels and agree that lattice is more classic and 5 spoke is more sporty. I do think the lighting on the car while it had the lattice rims on is helping their cause. I switched from the 15" lattice to 16" five spokes on my '92 and have been happy. Easier to clean!!! And better tire options.

I really think the XJS looks best when finished like yours - without coach lines (pin stripes) and the side molding strips. Mine has both unfortunately.

 

I prefer the 5 spoke on my 96 model.

On yours, I'm surprised to say, I prefer the lattice.

If you had asked me without showing pictures, I would have sworn I would choose the 5 spoke.

 

Thanks Noah, I did consider putting both pin strips and molding on the car but didn't get around to it, and now I'm not going to, mud flaps too.


The lattice wheels are a real pia to clean!

 

I also think the lattice looks great. However, I recently changed mine to 18 inch asteroids from a 2002 xjr. I think the asteroids look great. Better than the lattice? I don't know, but the added stability from the larger wheels provides a lot more confidence than I had with the 60 series tires on 15 inch lattices. You may notice something too moving to the 16s.
From pure looks, between your choices, I like the lattice.

Also, agree with the previous poster that no pinstripe and door guard delete look great.

Last point... What in the world is that crazy spoiler on that donor car?!?!?!
I can't believe no one as mentioned it yet!

 

Thanks for the input,
I had been looking for 17" or 18" wheels and then I came across this whole car for the same money and it had 16".
Even with the 16s and 245/55 tires there is a noticeable change, the gearing is better the road feel? and cornering is better, but it is slightly more difficult to turn when moving slowly of course.


LOL the spoiler.....I think is from a Camaro or Trans Am, it has been trimmed to fit the boot lid


I thought I might keep it. I'm planning some pretty radical sheet metal changes to this new project....chop top, stretched fenders, projector headlights, that sort of thing.

 

I actually kinda like the spoiler. It's unique. I'd like to see a side, and a rear shot of the whole car to see how the spoiler matches the lines of the car.

 

Definitely the lattice - looks beautiful! Is the paint code Claret Red?

 

I do have more photos.







I may just clean up some of the work done to it and get it to fit a little "tighter" and go with it, I don't hate it.


The colour is Regency Red for a 1990 XJS

 

I've got one in the same Color, the Lattice Alloys win hands down by a Country Mile.

If cleaning them is a problem, then do what I did and put dust covers on behind them.

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