Hi Steve,
Just to give you a bit of support, like you I prefer the Plus 8 with alloys and alloy bumpers. It was only in later years that it became available with wires (I can't remember the exact year), and thus the ones that I had all came with this spec.
Having said that my latest trad came with wires, with no option of alloys, so it looks as though I now have a foot in both camps.

Gorgeous looking car by the way, just can't wait to see it on alloys!

Cheers
Brian