A Thunderbird buddy of mine told me that he found this place that had Y2kCobraR's in 17x8.5, 5 on4.25. This is the exact rim that I want, but since this is the only place on earth that seems to carry this rim, I wonder if they know their @$$ from a hole in the ground and aren't selling a 5 on 4.5 and saying it's a 5 on 4.25. Has anyone dealt with this place before? I'd hate to buy rims and get them only to find out they don't fit. The place is called www.superbuytires.com

http://images.superbuytires.com/images/wheels/Pacer2000+Cobra+R.JPG
http://superbuytires.com/Pacer/2000+Cobra+R/?v=190&year=1997&diameter=17&w=1378432&p=2&s=20&suggested=235/45x17&p1=&p2=&finish=

17 x 8.5 Chrome $ 269

Why don't you call them and find out for sure about the specifications before you buy. As an added precaution, make sure the wheels are returnable in the event they do not fit.

That is what I was planning on doing but I thought I'd check here to see if anyone had delt with them.

I think the LS and the T-birds(new and old) have the same bolt pattern, even the MK8's might so if they fit, maybe ask around their board.

I know Tbird is the same bolt circle, same as a Taurus, Mk8, Sable, Cougar, etc. By my calculations, they will stick out 23mm farther than factory stock(37mm on a Tbird/60mm on the LS). Or, just under an inch. Sooo, if they are the same pattern like the site says, they should work.

I did some checking and the company that they say manufacturers the wheel, doesn't list it on thier website, nor is that center cap emblem on any of their whees, nor do they have any knock-off FRPP wheels on their site.

Does anyone recognize the center cap/know the manufacturer? It just seems shady that noone else on the whole wide world of the internet has this wheel, in this pattern. I'd hate to order them, pay shipping from CA to OH to get them, find out that they don't fit and have to pay shipping form OH to CA again to send them back. Plus they would probably charge a restocking fee.

Okay, I made a phone call to superbuytires. Stay away from this company. After being on hold for 10 minutes, I finally got a human to talk to.

I posed the question if this rim was actually 5 on 4.25. The rep told me after 5 minutes of contemplation, "no, I guess we need to take those off of there" He said sorry in a half a$$ sarcastic tone, followed by have a good day in the same tone and hung up! Sheeesh!:mad:

Well you can get that rim in a 5x4.25 bolt pattern, or at least you could at one time. The 17x8.5 seems wrong. They were typically made in 9.5" widths and shallower offsets. Mine are 18x9.5 with a 36mm offset, they would definately stick out if I stuck them on my LSE. That center cap is identical as mine. I got mine from the now out of business Performance Wheel Outlet. The boxes they came in said Dante Design IIRC. Summit now carries that name brand, but not in the right bolt pattern. I'm pretty sure Performance Wheel Outlet would buy the rims(slugs) unfinished and undrilled, them finish them from there, giving them a bigger fitment selection. Doesn't help you, bot thats what I know.

dang it! I'm on a dad-gummit emotional roller coaster here over these wheels. My hopes go up, then, back down, then back up, then back down!
:)