Review by Todd Starr pending
Wire wheels are wheels whose rim is joined to the hub by thin wire spokes, laced under tension, instead of a solid cast or stamped center. On cars they are the classic look of lowriders, Cadillacs, Lincolns and hot rods. Below, you will see how they are built and, after that, how to pick a set.
What are wire wheels made of?
- Rim (outer): the hoop the tire mounts on.
- Spokes and nipples: the wires, and the small threaded ends that hold each spoke tight in the rim.
- Hub: the center the spokes run to.
- Adapter: bolts to your car with its lug nuts and matches your bolt pattern.
- Knock-off: the center cap that locks the wheel onto the adapter. A full Player set includes 4 adapters and 4 knock-offs.
Straight lace or cross lace
On a straight lace wire wheel the spokes run straight out to the rim. On a cross lace wire wheel they cross over each other on the way, which gives the woven look.
Standard, reverse or FWD
The offset sets where the spokes sit in the rim. Standard keeps them centered for most rear-wheel-drive cars, reverse pushes the rim out for the deep-dish lowrider look, and FWD fits front-wheel-drive cars. For that reason, read standard vs reverse vs FWD wire wheels before you order.
Spoke counts, sizes and finishes
Player makes 72, 100, 150, 180, 200 and 204 spoke wheels, from 13 to 26 inches, in All Chrome, Center Gold, All Gold and Rose Gold. More spokes fill the face; on the other hand, fewer spokes show more of the hub. See choosing a spoke count and plus sizing wire wheels.
| Series | Spokes | Build | Offset | Sizes | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player Wire 72 Spoke Crosslace Reverse | 72 | Crosslace | Reverse | 13x7, 14x7 | $299 / wheel |
| Player Wire 100 Spoke Crosslace Sealed Reverse | 100 | Crosslace, sealed | Reverse | 13x7, 14x7, 15x7 | $299 / wheel |
| Player Wire 100 Spoke Sealed Standard | 100 | Sealed | Standard | 15x7, 16x7, 17x8, 18x8, 20x8 | $399 / wheel |
| Player Wire 100 Spoke Straight Sealed FWD | 100 | Straight lace, sealed | FWD | 15x7, 16x7, 17x8, 18x8 | $329 / wheel |
| Player Wire 150 Spoke Straight Sealed FWD | 150 | Straight lace, sealed | FWD | 20x8, 22x8 | $599 / wheel |
| Player Wire 150 Spoke Straight Sealed Standard | 150 | Straight lace, sealed | Standard | 20x8, 22x8 | $499 / wheel |
| Player Wire 180 Spoke Straight Sealed RWD | 180 | Straight lace, sealed | Standard (RWD) | 24x9 | $1,259 / wheel |
| Player Wire 200 Spoke Standard with Floating Cap | 200 | Floating center cap | Standard | 26x9 | $1,599 / wheel |
| Player Wire 204 Spoke Straight Sealed RWD | 204 | Straight lace, sealed | Standard (RWD) | 24x10 | $1,199 / wheel |
Will they fit my car?
In short, four numbers decide fit: rim size, bolt pattern, offset and center bore. Start with finding your bolt pattern, then check the wire wheel fitment guide for your year, make and model.
A short history of wire wheels on cars
Early cars ran on either wire wheels or wooden or steel artillery wheels, and wire wheels became common on full-size cars around 1907. Quick-detach center-lock hubs, closed with a knock-off cap, helped make them popular, and cheaper pressed steel wheels later replaced them on most cars (Wikipedia: Wire wheel).
Dayton Wire Wheels, founded in Dayton, Ohio in 1916, sold steel wire wheels that Ford offered as a Model T option, and by the early 1980s Dayton wheels had become status symbols in lowrider culture (Wikipedia: Dayton Wire Wheels). Player has built wire wheels as a family name since 1996.
Keeping them clean
Chrome and gold need gentle care, so follow how to clean chrome and gold wire wheels, and test-fit every wheel before mounting, since mounted wheels can’t be returned.
Shop Player wire wheels
Browse every size and finish of Player wire wheels, or go straight to the wire wheels for sale shop. Prices are per wheel, shipping is free in the continental USA, and you can call (330) 953-2944 with your year, make and model.
Questions about your car?
Talk to Todd, Ron or Greg about fitment, stock and pricing. Mon–Fri 9–5, Sat 8–1.