6 Cars That Look Good With Tri-Spoke Wheels

I know that, in the headline, I said cars that look ‘good’ with tri-spoke wheels, but even now, with this article on the interwebz for all to see, I’m still not sure good is the proper word to use here. Cars that look better, perhaps? It’s something of a conundrum, because some people really like tri-spoke wheels while most people hate on them; generally I’m in that second group.

This irony is not lost on me since I recently bought a Mustang GT that came with factory-installed tri-spoke wheels. Technically, I suppose, they have six spokes, but since the spokes are paired up into three groups, I call it a tri-spoke win. Or a fail. In any case they’re ugly, just like tri-spoke wheels on most other cars. I’m forced to say most, because every so often I see a car riding on Advan Racing tri-spokes, and I’m suddenly forced to question everything I’ve ever doubted in my entire life. There are a few aftermarket tri-spoke wheel options, but if you’re going to actually choose tri-spokes, these are the only ones I’d have.

This all prompted me to take a second look at tri-spokes, especially since I’ve decided to live with them on the Mustang and instead use the money saved for a crazy weekend holiday in Las Vegas. And you know what? I still think most are pretty ugly, but I did find a few cars with factory-installed tri-spokes that look pretty good. I suspect traditional five-spoke rims would still be an improvement in most cases, but if it came down to either a new set of wheels or an epic weekend in Vegas, I could live with these rides as-is.

First-generation Saab 900

Tri-spokes generally appeal to those with a slightly different viewpoint on design. Since we’re talking about Saabs here I’m legally required to use the term quirky so yes, I find the classic 900’s quirky, acquired-taste styling to be a great fit for its tri-spoke wheels. I know other wheels might look better, but the improvements wouldn’t make up for the lost character and overall appeal that is unique to the Saab 900.

1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R

Ford used a range of tri-spokes on Mustangs through the years, and they were all crap. Curiously, somebody at Ford decided to shoot some of their better crap tri-spokes with some black paint, then install them on the extremely limited-production 1993 Mustang SVT Cobra R.

To my eyes, at least, the paint worked, so much so that I elected to refinish my own 1995 Mustang GT wheels in the same fashion. Maybe it’s just that black wheels always look good on a red car, but whatever the reason, these black tri-spokes aren’t so bad. And since I don’t have to buy new wheels now, I can afford to get arrested during my Vegas weekend. I can’t wait.

Range Rover Classic

I don’t know exactly when the first-generation Range Rover got its tri-spokes, but for reasons I can’t entirely explain, they just seem to look good. Perhaps it’s the thickness of the spokes that give the wheel an almost solid look. It might also be because, like the Cobra R, these wheels are painted. I tend to think it’s just the blockish, functional appearance of the Range Rover being a good fit for the rather blockish, functional wheels.

Mitsubishi 3000GT

Tri-spoke wheels were offered on a Mitsubishi 3000GT? In the later years when sales were falling off, someone at Mitsubishi apparently thought a set of tri-spokes would help turn things around. We all know how that story ends, but surprisingly enough the 3000’s triple-toed feet aren’t unattractive. I actually like them better than the base five stars or seven-spoke wheels, but only because those wheels look positively bargain basement.

1989-1992 Ford Probe

When the Ford Probe debuted in 1989 it was all curvy and futuristic, so it made complete sense for Ford to offer it with wheels that also had something of a futuristic flavour. I’ve seen many first-generation Probes with five-stars and lace wheels, and they look amazing. But the tri-spokes aren’t so bad either, especially on silver or white GT models. It’s a definitive 1980s look for a 1980s car.

Dodge Viper R/T-10

My first experience with tri-spokes took place in 1989, when as a wee lad I saw the Dodge Viper concept car at the Detroit International Auto Show. Like most wee lads of the time, I thought the car was futuristic and awesome and the wheels made it even awesomer (quoted directly from my youthful self). Yes the five-star rims that came out on the GTS coupe in 1996 look better, but the tri-spokes are part of the original Viper’s style and shock value. Given a choice, I’d absolutely keep them.