Well there’s no doubt that the tried & true 15” Magnum 500 chromed steel wheel with BFG RWL tires works on these cars, but I was burning out on seeing myself coming & going with that combo. So I set out to find something new and different and it took quite a while to make a decision on the right wheel for my Cougar. I even returned the 1st set that I bought after having them here in person and thinking they just weren’t really what I was going for plus I didn’t ‘love’ them which I think you should. Anyhow, thought I’d share some photos/info so others can see how different wheel/tire combos work on these cars, as well as what a difference they make in your car’s look and stance.
Decided on the Legendary Wheel Co. which by default also gives you perfect fitment specs for these cars and with a super high-quality build & finish. so then started narrowing down to a few styles I liked best as they have alot of designs to choose from. Ultimately went with the GT9, a modern replica/interpretation of the 1969 Shelby GT350 wheel which originally only came in a natural finish. I like this wheel because it has inspiration from the Magnum 500 and also the old-school Torq Thrust but with a fresh, modern take & offered in 17” size which is my personal upper limit zone for most classic cars wheel look. As well, the high-quality shiny machined aluminum finish really adds to the car in a better way for me than the chrome plated steel did.
From 3 finish options, I chose the charcoal inserts color which is actually on backorder in my size until at least August but I was able to locate possibly the last set left out there on the shelf in 17x7 (x4) knowing I didn’t want to run staggered. personally love how the high-gloss charcoal accent works with the gold/black combo on my cat. And it was good news that my $185 SD walking cat center caps purchased prior for the Magnum 500s were going to work again on the GT9s with an extended adapter backplate.
Had wanted to run redlines here, but just couldn’t justify an extra $1,600 on the tires when that $$ is better spent going to other things this Cougar needs. So instead, next will test out a red rim-stripe, which I’ve seen done very well and looking great on several classics out there.
This stuff is obviously very subjective but hope you all like the fresh & clean new look. Heres some pics, including the 1st one ‘before’ for ref, let me know what you think. Mark~
Nice to see low profile modern blackwalls on there, but not overdone and on modern wheels that don’t stray too far from the look of the Magnums! Lola is lookin good!
Thanks Roger! yeah not often to see that on any rare car models out there, let alone a Mercury Cougar nearing 60 years old, plus with a very low # OEM paint color too. It’s especially so before i had just changed out the exact same wheels & tires as you have. Yours looks like a very clean & solid cat. enjoy that beauty
I liked the Legendarys on my last Cougar, but went 17x7 & 17x8 for a bit more tire in the rear. I almost went with the GT9s as well, but liked the 10 spokes.
That was a solid choice, it was my #3 Legendary wheel in the mix. And, although I love the look and have done it on several cars in the past and did consider staggered here, I wanted the ability to rotate and just maintain uniform, swappable sizing on all 4 corners. Those wheels do look nice though with that yellow/black car
Thanks, I’m loving the new wheel choice & fresh look as has everyone around here locally & especially at the shows. As far as the ride goes I wouldn’t say rougher but for sure a firmer ride, which i personally prefer so i’m happy about that. On handling/cornering, maybe placebo but it does feel more assured than it did on the softer 15” profile and the new tires are a bit wider footing too.
What i am looking forward to is installing my latest upgrade, (shown below & from one of my favorite sellers), a nice fat front sway bar. Just finished painting it & think once that’s installed and combined with the new wheel/tire setup, the car will handle much improved from before. then that’s good enough because i have other classic cars that are extra firm ride/handling and other that’s very soft, so I really like that this Cougar falls somewhere right in the middle.
A sidenote on these cars & just how rare they really are out there. the last show i attended had over 800 cars show up that day and we only saw, including mine just 3 Cougars, while there were dozens of Mustangs & Vettes. Of 24 cars owned, all kinds i’ve never had any pull like this Cat does.
Yikes, trust me, you couldn’t pay me enough to run those things on any car! honestly can’t even believe they’re available out there but i guess they really do make something for everyone.
I agree. It is beautiful car and Grecian gold with a black top is my favorite color combination. My car in high school was the same as yours. Even then almost fifty years ago I had the only Cougar high school and probably in our whole town.
TY i always wanted a gold/black car and this is the 1st. and wow, that was no doubt very special for you back then in high school days. thanks for sharing the memories here
