Vehicle wheel construction

A composite vehicle wheel assembly (10) having a permanent, ornamental surface treatment, said assembly (10) comprising:

• an annular rim (12) defining a central axis (A) and having a pair of spaced rim flanges (14);
• a spider (20) concentrically fixed within said rim (12) for connecting to a rotating hub (22), said spider (20) including a plurality of spokes (24);
• an ornamental applique (34) of a uniform material thickness overlapping said rim (12) and said spider (20);
• said applique (34) having an annular outer connecting portion (36) disposed adjacent one of said rim flanges (14), an annular inner connecting portion (38) and a plurality of vent openings (40) aligned between said spokes (24) of said spider (20) and positioned between said inner (38) and outer (36) connecting portions;
• a curable adhesive (42) of substantially uniform thickness disposed between said applique (34) and said rim (12) and said spider (20) along overlapping surface areas;
• and locking means coacting between said applique (34) and said rim (12) for compressing said curable adhesive (42) between said applique (34) and said rim (12) and said spider (20) to hold said applique (34) in place while said adhesive (42) cures and for continued retention thereafter.