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Time to read 9 min
It is logical to assume that in this day and age most people - specifically the average Joe - don't really think about the design of the wheels on their vehicles. If we think about it carefully, the art of car design and style has evolved so rapidly and dramatically, vehicles that were once in the "family" or "utility" space have adapted many of the aesthetics that were dedicated only to sports models and high performance packages. Simply, walking down the rows of a car dealership in the 70's, 80's, and even the 90's gave a buyer a very compartmentalized view of style and design. The four-door sedan, the station wagon, the hatch-back, the enclosed van, the mini-van, the pick-up truck, and what has grown from a multi-type automotive amalgamate (car/truck/van) into the modern SUV had very generic, often bland designs and had a specific target market. The vehicles that dominated most of the real estate on the lot were focused on the utilitarian necessities - driving to work, taking your kids to school, taking a trip, hauling assorted items, performing a service, or helping an individual work better. The auto industry grabbed on to this noble pursuit and tapped the shoulders of the consumer majority who hadn't quite yet seen the value of enjoying a vehicle more than just a tool. Of course, there was the area on the lot where the more extreme, more glamorous "sport", "limited", "special edition", and "custom" models lived under dedicated lighting, carpeted floors, and in front of attractive graphics. They were the shiny ball that suddenly bounced through a bland white room.
During this time frame, the modern design and style movement had not yet infiltrated the drawing boards of the industry when it came to general transportation. Again, "feel-good" cars were for the unique enthusiast or for those who could afford to have a weekend ride to bring envy to the neighbors. No one thought a little color and style belonged in daily traffic or at the grocery store. In addition to their sleek lines, mirror-like paint and color schemes, plush interiors, and advanced performance under the hood, these cars also included an important accessory that both enhanced and framed the tires - the one component on the vehicle that was often lost in an admirer's sightline. There was no substitute for a set of amazing wheels that often brought an already stunning piece of machine into the art form category. The luscious tones and brilliant sparkle of chrome, gold, brushed aluminum, and silver were the custom badges that drew the eye closer and made the vehicle appear faster even if standing still. As the industry evolved, designers began to mix the recipes of sport, comfort and practicality and create more lines, curves, style, color, and brilliance eventually allowing every car, truck, and SUV to be as stylish as the next. Now, these modern designs are seen as the standard and the stylish wheel is something not only noticed and desired by the average consumer, but expected to tie the car's profile together. Products created by the aftermarket wheel industry were no longer meant just for the exclusive set of motorsports faithful or wealthy exotic car owners, they have become an important form of creative expression.
It would be rare to meet a car enthusiast who doesn't enjoy the look and overall energy given off a vehicle that has great aftermarket wheels and performance tires. This is an effect that has been around as long as people have been modifying cars, but honestly, most don't have a clue where this movement started. Simply, the racing industry, primarily in the Southern California scene in the early to mid sixties, was the launching pad for stylish and eye-catching aftermarket wheels. These attractive, sport-engineered wheels just happened to be designed to support the obvious need for wider, more robust, hi-performance tires due to the power output on the vehicles the drivers were operating. Since the auto industry was only manufacturing standard types of stock wheels for consumer vehicles, professionals had no choice but to have custom versions re-built from stock wheels to serve their applications. Once the average car enthusiast and motorsports fan was exposed to this innovation and hooked on to the possibilities, they would have custom fabricators cut out the centers of the wheels and reversed, then wider barrels were welded on. Once rebuilt, the entire wheel would be cleaned, painted or chromed then polished. Early enthusiasts would either run their cars with the polished or painted wheel exposed or just throw on the original hubcaps. Now they could drive with wider tires which allowed for enhanced performance and better grip at higher speeds. Once a number of early pioneers and entrepreneurs like Roy Vachon, Art Hale, Parnelli Jones, Vic Edelbrock, Ted Halibrand, and Roy Richter began to concept, design, re-design, tweak, mass produce and then eventually sell these aftermarket wheel designs, a new industry and injection of style began to infiltrate all levels of the automotive market at an alarming rate. Now, both serious car enthusiasts and the average driver can purchase custom, aftermarket wheels for their rides at a wide selection of price points allowing individual expression or need for performance to be both attainable and affordable.
In the present day, we see a lot of brands and models advertised on television, rolling down the highway, and, just like in our short story about decades past, on dealership lots and in auto showrooms around the world that are fully equipped with unique styling, well designed contouring, and attractive tire and wheel packages. As we know, the Subaru WRX is one of those vehicles that will immediately catch the eye of any onlooker simply due to its performance-flavored, stand-alone, aggressive profile. Whether observed as a Subaru fan or not, one must admit that this car is both magnetic and inspirational to any car enthusiast. Truly, the more creatively minded its owner chooses to be, the more beautiful and stunning this platform will appear to the world. We have seen many Subarus become transformed into elegant and amazing driving machines during our time in the industry. Some of the most memorable were the result of the right color combinations of body and trim, accessories, and the application of stylish wheel installations. Many of us are big custom aftermarket wheel fans that share the belief that the choice of wheel can make or break the overall look of the vehicle. Did you ever see a car that has an amazing, high quality body color, well-planned exterior modification, but is somewhat offset by a very underwhelming or poorly conceived wheel upgrade? Truthfully, not everyone has the same eye, sense of style, or talent for seeing how their color choices, accessories, and other components should align and create a pleasing visual, but, on the other hand everyone has the right to express their own creativity. The spirit of those pioneers, original drivers, and excited enthusiasts has not been lost over these many years. The industry of aftermarket wheels is massive and because of the ideas and innovations that were born and cultivated all those decades ago, wheel technology, design, style, color, and culture has made it possible for the car lover to express themselves in many ways. In today's world of aftermarket wheels, there are many stunning options to help any enthusiast choose stylish wheels for the Subaru WRX.
Subimods is fortunate to work with a number of manufacturers and companies that provide the creative enthusiast with a number of affordable options to bring their car to that next level without having to declare bankruptcy. We decided to concentrate on three offerings within our catalog that are provided by Gram Lights and that could be purchased by an enthusiast that has a wheel upgrade budget that caps at around $2000.00. Gram Lights offers a nice selection of wheel upgrades for the 2015-2024 Subaru WRX that will satisfy a wide range of creativity, color preference, and styles. With around twenty products to choose from on this list, each wheel falls within the $450.00 to $500.00 price range giving the enthusiast a great bang for their buck and possibly allowing some extra room to invest in more modifications for their WRX at a later time. To note first, both the model 57DR and the 57CR wheels are a reimagined design of Ray's 57D and 57C, both classic wheels from the Japanese marketplace. A perfect mix of performance, sleek appearance, and aggressive looks, these wheels are suitable for the driver who demands their vehicle handle the stresses of the weekend track while giving a stable and defined sense of strength during the daily commute or challenging alternatives. Its overall strength comes from an intelligent design which includes six curved and rigid spokes making it an incredibly lightweight product that provides great brake clearance for big brake configurations. The Gram Lights 57XTREME SPEC-D model wheel stays in the same lane as the standard designs of both the 57DR and the 57CR wheels, but was specifically designed as a technically advanced option which includes a stronger rim thickness, an enhanced hump configuration - an EH2+ shape to ensure maximum and optimum tire performance for the driver in challenging situations, and a re-designed center to eliminate weight.
Outlining these three offerings from Gram Lights will give the serious enthusiast a good set of options while investigating an upcoming wheel upgrade for the Subaru WRX. First, the Gram Lights 57DR (18x9.5 5x114.3 38mm Offset) model wheel that is priced between $453.00 and $482.00 (per wheel) and available in a number of colors and finishes including: Semi Gloss Black, HS Gun Metallic, Gold, Almite Gold, E8 Gold, Grace Silver, Eternal Blue Pearl, Arms Gray, Milano Red, Bronze II, and Gun Blue 2. Secondly, the Gram Lights 57CR (18x9.5 5x114.3 38mm Offset) model wheel is offered in three colors/finishes as well including: Gloss Black, Arms Gray, and Gun Blue 2. Finally, for the Subaru WRX driver looking for the most advanced wheel option set at a very affordable price, comes the Gram Lights 57XTREME Spec D (18x9.5 5x114.3 38mm Offset) model that is available in both Milano Red and Eternal Blue Pearl. With all the creative flexibility and imagination only a Subaru enthusiast could muster, Gram Lights wheel will stand as one of the best options to explore when looking to make that first impression on the road or track. These GramLight wheels have been engineered and designed to satisfy our market bringing a strong, robust product for those enthusiasts who need to ensure both endurance, and style are injected into the overall personality of their Subaru WRX. They are definitely a great product to consider if you are under a $2000 budget constraint or wish to keep your costs low when planning for a much larger modification scope. Again, please remember, Subimods continues to concentrate on providing aftermarket innovations and products that take the Subaru platform of your choice to new levels in the present and the future. Either way, look to Subimods with any questions concerning new wheels for your WRX.
Check out the product display below to see all the wheels mentioned in this article. We hope it will help you make your choice.
We would be very interested in your thoughts regarding this article and if you are in the process of choosing aftermarket wheels for your Subaru WRX .
Write your comments below and continue this conversation. We are always thrilled to hear your opinions. THANK YOU!
For more information regarding aftermarket parts for your Subaru, please visit our website and explore the section dedicated to your platform. We would be happy to serve you!
Bryon Turcotte - Marketing Writer/Analyst
Turcotte has worked as a writer, journalist, and digital content developer for 30 years. He began his career in music journalism in 1995 then worked for several years as both a staff writer, managing editor, and a freelancer for both regional and national music publications. Over the next three decades his contributions extended beyond the music industry as he served within the realms of higher education, science and technology, manufacturing, and finance. He has been serving as a content developer and writer on the Subimods Marketing team since August 2023.
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