A look back at simulated wire wheel covers. Part 4: the 1980s

(…Continued from prior article series on 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s wire wheel covers)

I’ve always been a fan of simulated wire wheel covers. While being an automotive accessory extremely subject to personal tastes, one cannot deny wire wheel covers are uniquely American in flavor. Mostly shunned by Europeans and Asian brands, they have populated the automotive landscape in the United States for decades since the early 1950s and have earned a spot in classic car nostalgia.

Similar to automobile styling, wire wheel cover designs from different manufacturers tend to evolve similarly to one another and follow the same trends over time. During the 1950s, it was cris-crossed spoke patterns with a flat overall shape. In the 1960s, it was parallel spokes running straight out from center caps (many with two- or three-pronged “spinner” caps in the center to imply sports car performance).

(A slide show with high-resolution pictures of all wheel covers discussed is at the bottom of this article.)

The 1970s began with carryover wire wheel cover styling from the late 1960s trending towards two layers of straight, parallel spokes. The effect of one layer of spokes atop (yet still parallel to) another created an illusion of crossing spokes when viewed from the side. This look would evolve but be maintained during the first half of the 1970s until flat wire wheel covers with actual cris-crossing spokes (similar to 1950s styling) made a return during the later part of the decade.

THE 1980s – WIRE WHEEL COVERS PEAK IN POPULARITY

By 1980, all of the “big three” American automakers had already developed wire wheel cover styling featuring larger center caps and multiple layers of cris-crossing spokes they would use through the entire 1980s. However, two holdouts to outdated ‘70s styling were final-year 1980 Dodge Aspens/Plymouth Volares still using a ’71 Chrysler wheel cover design, and 1980 American Motors vehicles using a cone-shaped wheel cover look they created in the 1970s.

After the end of model year 1980, the early-‘70s look had been washed away completely. Buyers felt the new look of crisp, squared-off styling on American cars was a good match with wire wheel covers, whitewall tires, and vinyl roofs…making that combination de rigueur for the 1980s.

Below, a timeline charts changes to wire wheel cover styling during each year in detail:

1980 – very little was new since 1979:

Chrysler continued using its 15-inch wire wheel cover created in 1979 for rear-wheel-drive vehicles on 1979-81 New Yorkers, 1979-81 LeBarons, 1980-83 Chrysler Cordobas, and related Dodge / Plymouth models. During the 1980s, all Chrysler rear-wheel-drive models would be dropped except the Chrysler Fifth Avenue / Dodge Diplomat / Plymouth Fury that continued unchanged through 1989.

Ford continued using its 15-inch wire wheel cover design introduced on 1978 Lincolns, offering it on the full-size 1980-89 Lincoln Town Car, 1980-83 Lincoln Mark VI, and Ford LTD (Crown Vic) / Mercury Grand Marquis through 1987.

Ford debuted a smaller 14-inch version of the Lincoln wheel cover for use on the 1980-82 Ford Thunderbird / Mercury Cougar and 1981-82 Ford Granada (these identical covers would also be later used on 1983-84 Ford Mustang / Mercury Capri “luxury” versions).

Ford also continued using 14-inch wire wheel covers introduced in 1977 on small and midsize Ford Pinto and Granada through 1980, and Fairmont and Mustang through 1982. These were “Eighties” in styling, being flat with two sets of crossing spokes.

General Motors continued using 15- and 14-inch wire wheel covers originally introduced in mid-1978 for large and midsize rear-wheel-drive cars. As well, a 13-inch version of these wheel covers was introduced for the company’s new-for-1980 line of compact, front-wheel-drive cars: Chevy Citation, Buick Skylark, Olds Omega, and Pontiac Phoenix (all continued through 1985).

1981

AMC introduced a 14-inch wire wheel cover almost identical to Chrysler’s 1979 design for use on all Spirit, Concorde and Eagle models. Two layers of cris-crossing spokes surround a large, knob-shaped center cap. These were used through 1987 until AMC was purchased by Chrysler and dissolved.

Cadillac redesigned its 15-inch wire wheel cover on front-wheel-drive Eldorados and Sevilles to be flatter in shape with a less protruding center. These were used in the same form through the end of both models’ design run in 1985. Sister cars Buick Riviera and Olds Toronado continued with the same covers used since 1979.

Oldsmobile revised its center cap on 15-inch wire wheel covers. While similar to 1978-80 centers, the new one is just different enough to catch the eye ever so slightly.

1982

Chrysler created a new 14-inch wire wheel cover to use on all the company’s smaller, front-wheel-drive cars coming to market for that year. After being a popular option on 1982-88 LeBarons, they were soon offered 1983-1988 New Yorkers, 1984-88 Dodge Caravans, and other sister Plymouth and Dodge versions of each.

Datsun became the first (and only) non-American marque to offer wire wheel covers in the U.S. on its 1981-84 style Maxima wagon. Wheel cover styling was derivative of major American brands of the day and featured two layers of crossing spokes surrounding a large round center cap. As a note, Datsun changed its company name to Nissan for the ’84 model year.

General Motors created a 14-inch wire wheel cover for use on its first front-wheel-drive, midsize car line introduced this year: Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, Buick Century, Chevrolet Celebrity, and Pontiac 6000. All four models used this same wheel cover with differing center cap logos through 1986.

As it had done the prior year with its 15-inch wire wheel cover, Oldsmobile equipped 14-inch versions with similar, larger center caps. Spoke patterns remained the same as they had been since 1978, and continued in this new form until the last mid-size, rear-wheel-drive ’88 Cutlass Supreme Classic rolled off the assembly line.

1983

Ford brought out a new 14-inch wire wheel cover with a round center cap and revised crossing spoke pattern for use on midsize, rear-wheel-drive cars such as the new-for-’83 Mercury Cougar, Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Marquis (replacing Zephyr model), and Ford “LTD” (replacing Fairmont model).

For 1983-84, the Ford Mustang / Mercury Capri graduated from using 1977-82 Pinto style wire wheel covers to 1980-82 T-Bird ones for two years before getting a version of the above referenced wheel cover for ’85.

1985

General Motors brought to market the compay’s first “large” front-wheel-drive vehicle platform for 1985. Smaller than rear-wheel-drive models they replaced, Cadillac’s new Sedan DeVille, Olds Ninety-Eight and Buick Electra now featured 14-inch wheels in place of 15-inchers. Cadillac used a shrunken version of its 1981-85 Eldorado wire wheel cover to fit over them. Breaking tradition, Buick and Oldsmobile each created their own new designs. Cadillac used its version through 1988, Buick and Olds kept theirs through the 1990s.

The Oldsmobile Calais and Buick Somerset Regal (later renamed Skylark) debuted, both offering the same 13-inch wire wheel covers from the 1980-85 style Olds Omega / Chevy Citation / Pontiac Phoenix / Buick Skylark during this first model year only.

Ford now offered the ’83 Cougar / Thunderbird style 14-inch wire wheel cover on the Mustang LX through 1991.

1986

Cadillac revised the center cap on its 15-inch wire wheel covers it had been using since 1976, now in use only on the rear-wheel-drive Fleetwood Brougham. The former round chrome centerpiece was replaced by one featuring a red plastic background with an embedded Cadillac logo. These covers would stay the same through 1992, the final year of the Fleetwood Brougham’s 16-year design run.

General Motors took the 14-inch wire wheel covers introduced the previous year on Olds Ninety-Eights, Buick Electras, and Cadillac Sedan De Villes and offered them on similarly downsized ‘86 Olds Toronados and Eighty-Eights, Buick Rivieras and LeSabres, and Cadillac Eldorados / Sevilles.

Olds Calais and Buick Skylark (previously called Somerset Regal) received new 13-inch wire wheel covers similar in appearance (flat, with larger center cap surrounded by two layers of crossing spokes) to the above referenced G.M. 14-inchers.

1987

General Motors fitted front-wheel-drive midsize Buick Centurys, Olds Cieras, Chevrolet Celebritys, and Pontiac 6000s (introduced for 1982) with a new 14-inch wire wheel cover. All used identical versions with differing center caps logos. (These covers all most resemble the look of the ’85 14-inch Buick Electra cover.)

1988

General Motors’ 1978-1987/88 rear-wheel-drive midsize coupes (Buick Regal, Olds Cutlass Supreme, Pontiac Grand Prix) were redesigned and replaced with front-wheel-drive models. Of these three, only the ’88 Regal offered wire wheel covers (the same 14-inchers from the ’87 Buick Century).

Lincoln replaced its 1982-87 rear-wheel-drive Continental with a new front-wheel-drive model. Breaking 1980s tradition, they created a new wire wheel cover with parallel, non-crossing spokes very similar to 1960s designs. A simple, brushed aluminum round center cap featured an embossed Lincoln logo. Being a car of modern aerodynamic design, the wire wheel cover option proved a turnoff to buyers. So few Continentals were equipped with them that the option was dropped after 1989.

1989

Chrysler introduced a new 14-inch wire wheel cover design (replacing the 1982-88 style) for front-wheel drive vehicles. Instead of two sets of spokes, the new wheel cover had one set of criss-crossing spokes surrounding a large plasticized center cap. Black in color, either “Chrysler”, “Dodge”, or “Plymouth” was emblazoned across the center. These lasted through 1993.

The new-for-’89 Mercury Cougar and sister car Ford Thunderbird got the 1988 Lincoln Continental wire wheel cover with parallel spokes. Instead of Lincoln’s logo, center caps featured either a cougar head or a winged bird.

Cadillac’s front-wheel-drive Sedan De Ville, Eldorado, and Seville all upgraded from 14-inch to 15-inch wheels. The wire wheel cover formerly used on 1981-85 Eldos/Sevilles was brought out of retirement for use on all three ’89 models.

Buick’s front-wheel-drive Riviera was also upgraded to 15-inch wheels for 1989. A completely new wire wheel cover with crossing spokes was created, featuring a large “R” Riviera logo.

CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICTURES BELOW TO EXPAND THEM TO FULL SIZE. SELECT EITHER OF THE SMALL ARROWS UNDERNEATH THE PIC YOU’RE LOOKING AT TO SCROLL BACKWARD OR FORWARD

: Chrysler offered this 15-inch wire wheel cover unchanged from 1979-1989 on all rear-wheel-drive models (except Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen).

: 1980-83 Chrysler Cordobas like this one (1980 model shown) were often equipped with 15-inch wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: Chrysler Imperial models through 1983 also used these same wire wheel covers, but with a flat center cap reading IMPERIAL.

: Side view of a 1981 Chrysler Imperial with the wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: 1981 Chrysler Imperial with 15-inch wire wheel covers, left front view.

: A 1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue equipped with the 15-inch wire wheel covers shown in the prior five photos.

: Ford first offered these 15-inch wire wheel covers on 1978-89 Lincolns. Fitted with different center caps, they were used on Ford and Mercury models through 1987.

: Cadillac continued using this 15-inch wire wheel cover first introduced on 1976 rear-wheel-drive models through the 1980s. A silver metal center cap was used through 1986.

: A 1980 Lincoln Mark VI sedan with 15-inch wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: 1980-82 Ford Thunderbirds used a 14-inch version of the wire wheel cover shown in the prior two photos. These were then used on 1983-84 Mustangs.

: 1979-87 Ford LTDs (1982 model shown) and Mercury Grand Marquis were equipped with re-badged 15-inch Lincoln wire wheel covers.

: This 15-inch wire wheel cover was used by General Motors from 1978 through the 1990s on Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, and Oldsmobile full and midsize rear-wheel-drive models.

: A 1980 Chevrolet Caprice wearing wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo. When the Caprice was redesigned for 1991-96, these wheel covers remained.

: A 1986 Chevrolet El Camino equipped with 14-inch versions of the wire wheel covers shown in the prior two photos. They were also used on Malibus, Monte Carlos, and even Camaros during the 1980s.

: 13-inch versions of these wire wheel covers were also offered on 1980-85 Chevrolet Citations, Buick Skylarks, Olds Omegas, and Pontiac Phoenix models.

: Buick’s version of the General Motors 15-inch wire wheel covers. These were offered on 1978-90 full size, rear-wheel-drive models.

: A 1983 Buick Electra wearing wire wheel covers offered on Electras through 1984, LeSabres through 1985, and Estate Wagons through 1990.

: These Ford wire wheel covers were first introduced on 1977 Pintos, and saw continued use through 1982 on Mustangs, Fairmonts, and more.

: The Mustang convertible was brought back for 1983. Early prototypes (such as this one) were photographed with the 1977-82 style wire wheel covers.

: American Motors introduced these optional wire wheel covers for 1981 until the company ceased to exist in 1987.

: A 1984 American Motors Eagle 4×4 wagon equipped with wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: These Cadillac wire wheel covers were designed for front-wheel-drive models equipped with 15-inch wheels. They were first used on 1981-85 Eldorados and Sevilles.

: A 1980 Cadillac Seville with the 15-inch wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: A 1984 Cadillac Eldorado with 15-inch wire wheel covers shown in the prior two photos.

: A second 1984 Cadillac Eldorado with 15-inch wire wheel covers shown in the prior two photos.

: The 15-inch FWD wire wheel covers made a return on 1989-93 de Villes, Sevilles, and Eldorados when they upgraded from smaller 14-inch wheels.

: A 15-inch Olds version of the Chevy wire wheel cover introduced during 1978. Revised center caps as these were used from 1981-90.

: A 1984 Oldsmobile 98 equipped with the 15-inch wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: A 1988 Olds Cutlass Supreme Classic equipped with 14-inch version of wire wheel covers shown in the prior two pictures.

: A 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme sedan with 14-inch wire wheel covers.

: Chrysler introduced this wire wheel cover for 1982 to fit on smaller 14-inch wheels designed for the company’s front-wheel-drive models.

: An ad introducing the smaller, front-wheel-drive LeBaron for 1982. These wire wheel covers (prior photo) ran unchanged on all Chrysler fwd models through 1988.

: A 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country convertible equipped with the wire wheel covers shown in the prior two photos.

: When the first front-wheel-drive Dodge and Plymouth minivans debuted for the 1984 model year, the 14-inch wire wheel covers were optional.

: When the Chrysler New Yorker was redesigned for 1988, it featured the wire wheel covers shown in the prior four photos during its first model year.

: A second ad for Chrysler’s new-for-1988 New Yorker, equipped with 14-inch wire wheel covers.

: Perhaps the only import to feature American-style wire wheel covers, 1981-84 Maxima wagons offered these as an option. For 1984, Datsun switched its name to Nissan.

: A better view of a 1982 Datsun Maxima wagon equipped with wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo. They were not offered on sedans.

: From 1982-86, General Motors offered these 14-inch wheel covers on their Olds Ciera, Buick Century, Chevy Celebrity, and Pontiac 6000 models.

: A 1984 Oldsmobile Ciera equipped with wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: Ford dropped its 1977-82 small wire wheel covers in favor of this new 14-inch design for 1983. Center caps varied among Ford and Mercury models.

: 1983-88 style Mercury cougars (1985 model shown) and Ford T-Birds offered these wire wheel covers. Mustangs offered them from 1985-91.

: An ad for the new-for-1983 midsize Ford LTD. Wire wheel covers were offered through the end of its model run in 1986.

: Oldsmobile offered these 14-inch wire wheel covers on its downsized, front-wheel-drive Ninety-Eight from 1985-90, and Eighty-Eight from 1986-91.

: Oldsmobile created this 14-inch version of the FWD wire wheel cover for the smaller Toronado models redesigned for 1986.

: A 1987 Olds 98 model equipped with the wire wheel covers shown in the prior two pics. GM sister cars Buick Electra/LeSabre and Pontiac Bonnevilles wore revised versions of these.

: From 1987-92, wire wheel covers on full-size RWD Cadillacs were the same as 1976, but with revised center caps.

: A 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham equipped with the wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: 13- and 14-inch versions of these wire wheel covers were offered on 1986-90 GM small cars, and on 1987-later midsize models.

: 1986-90 Buick Skylarks (1989 shown) and 1986-88 Olds Calais compact FWD models used 13-inch versions of the wire wheel cover shown in the prior photo.

: For 1987, these 14-inch wire wheel covers (see prior two pics) were offered on midsize Buick Centurys (1987 shown), Oldsmobile Cieras, Pontiac 6000s, and Chevrolet Celebrities.

: Buick debuted a new style of wheel cover for its new-for-1988 Buick Regal, and equipped Rivieras with a rebadged version one year later.

: Full-size Ford LTD Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis models were offered with these new 15-inch wire wheel covers from 1988-91.

: A 1989 Ford LTD equipped with 15-inch wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: For 1989, 14-inch wire wheel covers Chrysler Corporation had previously offered were gone. In their place was this design. Center caps varied for Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth models.

: A 1989 Chrysler New Yorker equipped with the wire wheel covers shown in the prior photo.

: Ford returned to parallel spokes from decades prior when introducing this 15-inch wire wheel cover design on the new-for-1988 Lincoln Continental.

: One year later, the new-for-1989 Mercury Cougars and Ford T-Birds received rebadged versions of the 15-inch Lincoln wire wheel cover in the prior photo.