I dont think I have ever seen these on a 3rd gen, logo seems correct, could be some home made types perhaps. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70s-8...spagenameZWDVW

Never seen anything like that on a Stock 3rd gen Firebird...

Those are early Firebird hubcaps for the base model. I think I have a pic, once I get home I’ll check,

I was thinking S/E but after looking in my illustration catalog it does not show anyting similar to what he has there... THe Bird is definately 3rd Gen, Later 3rd gen at that. It almost looks like the bird is too high on the center cap as well.... I looked int the brocures from 82 & 83 and did not see anything... dod not bother with 84...

I dunno. :shrug:

John

Those are definitely third gen hubcaps. They were on the base model Firebirds from '82 up. Not sure if they went up to '84, but at least '82-'83. It shows them in my '82-'83 Parts manual. I had a picture of them on a car somewhere, but can't find it. They basically went on the generic 14" steel wheel, and there was a metal trim ring that went around the outter edge. They also had the wire hubcaps available, and another generic looking hubcap that was like 2 pieces, and of course the "bowling ball" hubcaps for the turbocast wheels.

I found the picture I was thinking of. Here is a base Firebird with those hubcaps.

Hey... That was the same picture I had. I'll have to take this one since I can't find it

Ya those are called "dog bowl" caps '82 only on base firebird with 14" STEEL rims.

Here is a good site on ALL third gen wheels and other 3rd gen info

http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/dox...ls/82f/82f.htm

Dave

I just saw a set of these while I was surfing on Craigslist. I looked at them and thought "Poverty caps ....for a 3rd gen???" I knew they were the base rim option back in the 60's and early '70's but I thought GM phased them out by the late 70's. I think I need to pick them up. They'd look awsome on the snow tires for my '84 Trans Am!

My dads 82 Iron Duke...bone stock, brand new. (N95 caps)








J.

those wheels look so out of place on a thirdgen firebird...any firebird really!

I can't believe they were actually available on a "muscle car" should have stayed on Bonnevilles...

Dont forget.... This is 1982 we are talking about. Only a couple short years out of the 70's. Back in 82, it wouldnt have been so "out of place". The Iron Duke wasnt really a "muscle car" if you go by what most people consider a muscle car. Usually a standard car, with a bigger performance engine. Yes the name firebird goes with muscle car... and Im certainly not putting the iron dukes down, but GM could have atleast put a turbo on the 4cyl to help alittle

I would say that Pontiac was just trying to experiment with the new body style and see what people watned most...but they did offer those hub caps up til 86 I believe. Which by then was far enough out of the 70s where people should have known better

J.

I agree with the '70's style as a similar wheel cover was optional on he 2nd Gen(and the 1st Gen too).But again the point of looking at the condition of the times.American auto industry in general was trying to reassert itself while meeting the evermore stringent goverment mandates.

I realize the wire hubcaps were on second gens also, on the Esprit models, but I still think they look out of place. I've seen them with white walls also

I know they were trying to offer a "luxury" type of package, but they should have stuck with a car in the luxury market, like the bonneville. I've seen base 3rd gens the same way, with white walls, and the chrome trim. It just doesn't fit the image of the car in my opinion.