Swangas

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]

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