Swangas (also spelled swangaz, and colloquially known as elbows (or elbos), 83s, or 84s (or simply 4s)) are custom extended wire-spoke wheel rims associated with slab car culture of Houston, Texas. [1] [2] [3] These distinctive rims protrude several inches outward from a vehicle's wheel well and are a signature visual element of Slabs, highly customized vehicles that emerged in the Houston metropolitan area during the 1980s. [1] [4]
Swangas are aftermarket wire-spoke rims that extend horizontally from the wheel hub, often by up to 20 inches or more. [2] [3] [5] They are characterized by multiple chrome spokes and a long "poker" or central spoke that gives them a pronounced, outward-facing appearance. [6] Generally, the more the "poker" extends out, the more expensive and more respected the swangas are. [6]
The name swangas likely derives from the slang term "swangin'," which describes the driving style of Slab vehicles as they slowly weave through traffic to display their custom features. [2]
Swangas first became popular in the early 1980s, coinciding with the rise of slab culture in Houston. [1] [7] Original swangas were made by the Cragar Wire Wheel Company for Cadillac models from the late 1970s and early 1980s. [1] [8] The first generation was referred to as 83s and the second generation 84s. [1] [8] Both the 83s and 84s were rare because they stopped being produced due to a production flaw until Texan Wire Wheels began producing them again in the early 2000s. [1] [9] Their scarcity made them highly desirable in slab culture, signaling exclusivity. [1] [9] Sometimes they could cost up to $10,000. [9] It was also referred to as "Dead Man Wheels", in reference to the notion that people would kill to obtain them. [6] [9] Enthusiasts soon began modifying and extending them to create increasingly flamboyant custom styles. [1] [2]
As slab culture evolved, swangas became a central element of the custom aesthetic, often paired with bright “candy” paint, large sound systems, and other personalized modifications. [1] [2] Houston rap music of the 1990s and 2000s frequently referenced swangas and slab culture, cementing their place in local popular culture. [1] [2] [9] [10]
Because swangas extend significantly beyond a vehicle's body, they can raise safety and legal concerns in some jurisdictions. [2] [3] For example, some state laws like Texas and Oregon place a limit on total vehicle width, which can restrict how far these custom rims can protrude while remaining legal to drive on public roads. [2] [3]