I've been contacting wheel manufacturers about the possibility of this for some time. Recently, I've been emailing back and forth with Oasis Wheels. What I've suggested is they do it as a 2-piece wheel. That way, the centers can be combined with any width hoop, in any backspace, so they're not limited to just 3rd gens. Also, the centers can be powder coated to meet customers' specifications beffore the wheels are assembled. They say they can do it. I'm going to have a phone discussion with them tomorrow, or Monday to go into it, further. We've been talking about a group buy, they say their experience in the past with group buys has been a lot of people say they'll do it, but, few actually do. From what I've seen with other group buys on here, I can't say I disagree with them. I think it would be especially hard to put together a group buy for something as expensive as a set of wheels. That's why I've approached this with them from the standpoint of making a wheel for regular production, as opposed to a group buy. I've also told them Grand Nationals and GNXs use the same wheel, so there's more of an immediate market than just 3rd Gens. What I'd like to do with this post is gauge interest, so I have something tangible to show them. I figure I can go into a few Grand National forums and do the same. We've already established the fact that they can make the wheel, the question is whether they'll produce it. If they do, it'll be a lot less expensive than it would be to do it by special order. If they see enough interest, it may motivate them to produce the wheel. There are a couple of questions I'd like to have answers to before i talk to them again. First, if they were to produce it in one size only, what would the consensus choice be (17", 18", 19", 20")? Should this be a poll? My vote is for 18" Second, if they were to produce this as a one-piece wheel, what would the ideal widths and backspaces be? If that is the way they go, they would want to make a wheel that they know will fit on any 3rd gen. We, on the other hand would want the widest wheel possible. So the question arises, in each wheel size (17,18,19,20), what would the widest producable widths and backspaces be? Fronts would have to take brake upgrades into effect. The C5 brake upgrade, for examples, pushes the wheels out .150 per side. I'm sure there are others that would push them out further. A production wheel would have to take all these factors into account, and still fit. Please, don't weigh in on widths and backspacing unless you either know (like, Andris Skulte know), or if you have actually put the wheel you're discussing on the car. If you're talking about your experience with a wheel, please also relay any rubbing issues, or what you had to do to avoid rubbing issues. Also, does anyone know about the Grand Nationals and GNXs? Were their factory wheels the same size width and backspace as ours?

I can tell you that although I am not ready to purchase wheels yet, they are on a short list of upcoming projects for the car. The stock wheels are a great looking wheel for these cars, but are too small for most of us. If I were able to get these in an 18" rim, for sure that's what I'll be purchasing.

As far as fitment, a 9" wheel will need the same backspacing wheather it's 17", 18",19" or 20" in diameter. I think the majority of people are going to want a 17" wheel, the selection of 18" tires is slim and expensive. Once you get into the 19" or 20" rim sizes people are looking for bling bling and would probably look for something a little more "wild"

You do have to face the reality that 3rd gens are a minority in the wheel world. 4th gens are much more popular, and most wheels that will fit them will also fit vetts, blazers and s-10's. So you might suggest that they offer these wheels in two different offsets, one for third gen's and another for everything else GM. I know a lot of guys would like to stay away from wheel spacers, but it may mean getting wheels for 20% or 30% less $$$$$ if they are made and marketed to 4th gens.

I would love to see a company get into making 3 piece wheels for the main stream car guy. CCW's are an awsome wheel but the prices mean I'll never touch them. A 17" mesh wheel would be in direct competition with CCW and would hopefully drive the price down.

Any idea on price yet?

Edit: I would also like to add that you are getting into a sticky subject when it comes to rubbing. The stock wheels will rub on some cars so getting anything wider than stock is going to mean you will have to give up some turning radius, it's a fact of life that a lot of guys aren't comfortable with. This is why SLP only sells 8" wide wheels for 3rd gens. I on the other hand have no problem extending my steering stops a 1/8" to 1/4" to fix the "problem".

I'm not a fan of 19s or 20s, either, but, according to the guy I talked to at Tire Rack awhile back, they are representing a bigger and bigger segment of the market. Oasis makes an IROC replica wheel, and goes all the way up to 26".

http://www.rwclassics.com/rw2.html

There are plenty of 4th gen wheels out there with no lip or dish on them. Anyone who likes that look already has plenty of choices. If someone is going to make a wheel for our cars, I, for one, want them to fit our cars, and look right on our cars. Besides, there are plenty of cars that wheels made with backspaces to fit 3rd gens will fit (Chevelles, 2nd gens, etc.

The smallest size CCW makes is 18", and none of them look as good as the GTA wheel to me. You also have to be realistic. You're just not going to find a set of cool 17 or 18" wheels for our cars for a grand.

He wouldn't talk price by email. We're supposed to talk about it on the phone. That's why I wanted to gather some info before the call. I'm going to be too busy to do it today or tomorrow, so it'll probably be Monday before i call.

There are guys running 10", 10 1/2", and even 11" wide rims on the rear. I want to hear from them on what backspaces they ran, where they rubbed, whether lowering springs affected the fit, etc. For the sake of discussion, let's say the maximum width is 11". A manufacturer is not going to make a production wheel any wider than 10" or 10 1/2" to avoid issues with unhappy customers.

Now, my ideal scenario would have them offering the wheel as a 2-piece. That way, the customer can order the wheel in any width and offset they like. If that's not an option, then getting the wheel offered as a one-piece with a width and offset for the front, and another for the rear, would be just fine with me. That way, someone wanting to run the same size on the front and rear would have that option, or someone like me, who wants a wider wheel in the rear could go that way, too.

im up for some 18" cross lace rims.

17x9.5 would be best IMO, cause they can be run all around. Also a great selection of tires (275/40/17), and they should fit any 3rd gen. Compared to 17x11 needing some rear wheel well massaging. Which I'm not afraid to do, but it would turn some people away. 17x11 GTAs would look awesome though...

17x9.5 is perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i will take a set in all black, maybe silver too?

Is bigger always better? Sometimes it becomes a lot of work to make an 11" rim fit in properly. Going from a 275 to a 295 will only give you 0.5" tire increase on a tire that is already 11.2" (275) how noticeable is it. I can't tell the difference.

I really don't want to get into a lengthy philosophical discussion here. Everyone has their own idea of what they want their car to be like. What one person loves, another will hate. What is imnportant to one, is unimportant to another. And that's OK. This whole forum is about personalizing you car to your own individual tastes. Whether bigger is better, or not, is not the issue here.

If, after years of hoping, we are able to get a vendor to actually produce this wheel, it would ideally be one which allowed as many members as possible, who are interested in the wheel, to use it. If they only made it in 9.5" width, for example, I'd have to spend a lot of additional money having the fronts narrowed and the rears widened, as a 9.5" wheel is just not going to suit my needs. Someone else, however, might be totally satisfied with that wheel.

so whats up with these crosslaces???

I am interested too. Maybe a 17x9.5 or 17x9 for most people and maybe a few 17x10 or 17x11 sizes. I understand it comes down to cost and what people are going to buy. I think thats why SLP made the ZR1 wheels in such small diameter. If they made them in 17x10 I would have already bout a set. i have thought about putting 4th gen wheels on the back w/ a 4th gen rear and SLP's up front w/o spacers. just my .02

I would love either a 17 or 18 in a 9.5.

I'm looking for 18s so let us know. Thanks

I had a long conversation with Juan from Oasis Wheels yesterday. He can do it, and for a reasonable price. He estimates somewhere in the 300-400 per wheel range.

While I've always though this would simply be a case of plugging a design into a CNC machine, apparently, that's not so. While it could be done, Juan says the design is so intricate that it would require very small tooling, and would tie the mill up for such a long time that it would cost twice as much as casting the center.

In order to cast the center, though, he said he'd have to invest 15-20,000 in equipment. Before he'd be willing to do that, he'll need deposits from a minimum of 24 customers.

He will do it as a 2-piece wheel, so the customer can specify whatever backspaces and widths they like.

The centers will be raw aluminum. He says he can offer powdercoating, polishing, chrome plating, etc. as options.

The one problem casting the center presents is it limits us to a single size. He said if the wheel is successful, and he sees a demand for other sizes, he would be willing to invest in the equipment to make other sizes, but, each additional size represents another 15-20,000 investment on his part, so it's one size to start.

I believe that size needs to be 18". To those of you who want 17", I'd say there is very little difference, visually, between a 16" and a 17" wheel. You can pick the original wheels up all day long for 400. There are plenty of places you can send them off to be widened to whatever width you like for 100 a wheel. If your goal is to get a wider tire under your car, this way is cheaper than custom wheels.

Others say they want 17" wheels over 18"s because tires are cheaper for 17"s. True, but, there are plenty of 17" choices out there for people who want to save money on tires. Again, these are custom wheels.

I'm not saying cost isn't an object to me, I've been saving up for this for a long time, but, after all the waiting we've all done, and all the searching and chasing I've done to find someone to make a custom wheel for our cars, I don't want to let a couple of hundred bucks difference on a set of tires stand in the way of being able to have the look I want.

Again, if cost is an object, it's cheaper to pick up a set of used GTA rims and have them widened than it will be to buy these, so, you'll save on both the cost of the wheels and the cost of the tires by going that way.

So, I say it should be an 18" wheel. Before we put up any group buy thread, I want to go post this in a couple of the Grand National forums, too, and get their input, and, hopefully, support. Getting 24 people together who are willing to put their deposits up at the same time isn't going to be easy.

Anyone have any thoughts?

I've been dreaming of this since the day I bought my GTA (OK, maybe the second day! LOL)

17"/18" (NO BIGGER!) x 9", with a 5" (MAX) BS. That way, they will fit all 4 positions on a 3rd gen, clear C5 brakes.

I've got 4 OEM 16" GTA wheels (with perfect tires), and bugs me I can't get bigger than 255s, without jumping to the 295 BFG, which is borderline too wide for a 8" wide rim, although that hasn't stopped me in the past.

I'd sell all 4 to finance bigger ones!

This will be a 2-piece wheel. You'll be able to get them in any width/backspace you like.

I do want to point out, I can't really afford a $1200 to $1600 set of rims right now, plus tires. But, we'll see, come acctual production day, what I can swing. Sure, I could charge them, but my wheels and tires are perfectly fine, so I can't justify spending the $ on a want. So, we'll see. Don't count me as a "definate" buy, or pre-order person, right now.

Has the final price been set? Any word on actual production of them?

If they are a 2-piece design, that have the exposed bolt heads showing, I'd hafta really think about buying some. I'm not a fan of the exposed bolt heads.

Nope. They will be welded

SWEET! I hoped for that.

How are the "negotiations" going?

If you do this, I suggest a design where the stock centercaps can be transferred from the original GTA wheels.

In terms of the spokes... Have spacing width between the spokes spoke be the same at the bottom and the same (or wider to compensate) at the top. Then adjust the angles of the connecting spokes.

I dont like the look of the 20 inch iroc rims where the spokes taper down too much.

Yes, I agree in going with 18's. 17s are too subtle a change. I just hope it doesnt end up being overkill in the end.

Also, is there a way to make sure the rims are equal (or lighter) in weight to the original GTA rims (for us racers out there)?

I just hope this ends up looking original, not "fake" like every other wanna be GTA rim out there.

If we can choose any backspacing, I think I'll go with the stock spacings for front and rear.

Has there been any updates on the rims?

Been wondering too, just haven't been able to FIND this thread to ask...

Although, it looks like my $ is going towards a new hood, thanks to Bambi....

Just found this thread. I would be interested if things are still going.

The updates are here to see. I posted this two months ago. There's barely been any response. The guy from Oasis said he'd need deposits from at least 24 customers before he'll cast any centers. With the lack of interest shown on here, there's clearly no way to get there. I'm moving on.

It's a bit of a niche market.

Might be a good idea to ask this on a GN forum as well. Those guys use our black crosslace wheels all the time.

Probably because the black wheels were on GNs before our GTAs.

i would be interested in a set of 18's definitely but the have to look exactly like the stock ones

17"/18" GTA crosslace wheels haven't happened yet? I'm DIEING for a set!

if it was 17's i'd be all over it. oh well, better luck next time i guess.

I'd likely take a set of 18's, but wouldn't part with any cash until I'd seen pictures of the finished product. I think a lot of others are the same, and wouldn't want to give a company a deposit and then have to wait, and wait as deadlines came and went for the product to be ready.

I'm still wanting these, but I'm not parting with that much money on"We can build those." by Oasis, with no preview of any kind. With an artist rendering, and some specs, I MIGHT, but they'd have to ADHERE to that. I'd be pissed if I laid out that kinda money, then it turned out my center caps didn't fit, requiring me to spend MORE money, or the crosslaces weren't like the originals. I want DUPLICATES, just increased in diameter.

I'm guessing this is still a no-go? I'd love to get 18" x 9.5" ones!

These would be nice, surely there are 24 people willing to buy a set? The USA is a big place with LOTS of third-gens....

Holy thread resurrection!

If they had something to show us, sure. But just on their WORD? Don't wanna spend $$$$ & find out what kinda compromises they had to make.

I can understand that, I wouldn't part with the cash on a maybe either. I figured that maybe this thread needed to be brought back, it's good to keep people thinking, there must be money in making these wheels since they are doing standard sizes again.

I think that would be a great idea....

I run a wheel and tire shop, and 18" is the bigest I'll do on a F-body. I have actually turned down a guy that wanted to put 20's on a black I-ROC and I said HELL NO.....Theirs a jackoff running around here that has 22's on one and it makes me want to puke...

Now with my 4 yrs exp. I have only found a small hand full of wheels that fit 3rd and 4th gens. 3rd gens are harder than 4th gens, espacially if they want 17's. keep in mind those that have price as the main factor, there are the higher end wheels that do fit but they do get pricy.

I have Boyd Codingtons 17x8 and 17x10 on mine and I have no rubbing problems at all. And I have 315's on the rear.

I think that a 17" with a 10 to 10.5 width in the rear would be awsume, and an 18" with a 10 inch width would be great.....

I can help with back spacing and offsets if need be.....

any update on these wheels?

I think the best bet would be to convince American Racing that there is a market for these wheels.

They already make 17 inch and up IROC rims. Maybe we could all sign a petition saying we love the wheels! I would just want them to fit the stock center caps.

Bill

i think its a good idea. the wheels looks amazing and could sell to many people. i know a few vehicles that run a similiar wheel. this would be closer than the HP Evo Lightning or MRR GT1's

Who is the company making the reproduction GTA wheels for Classic Industries? Maybe they can make other variations?

I was wondering the same thing last night when looking at the ad for them in my new High Performance Pontiac magazine.

A set of 2nd gen style 17" gold snowflakes is very tempting for my wife's triple black '99 TA 'vert as well.

the pic on classic industries' website doesn't look like an exact duplicate. it could just be the pic though

i've spent the better part of the afternoon emailing wheel companies. if one of them responds, you guys better be ready to throw down cash!

lol

bill

I recieved two responses. Corvette Guys says they won't do it. Oewheelsdirect asked me to send them a picture. Hopefully, this goes well.

Bill

Standing by with cash!

I will hold off on having my original wheels totally restored in case this pans out. They will need to look 100% like the original 88-92 GTA wheels in 17x9.5 just like Ronal R-15s meaning a spacer will be needed on the front unless they are going on a 1LE car that way they can sell to both 1LE and non 1LE owners.

I'm asking for 18 inchers in the rear wheel backspacing.

Does anyone know what the stock width for the GTA rims are?

Is anyone any good with photoshop?

Thanks,
Bill

The stock GTA crosslaces are 16" x 8". 4.25" bs (0mm offset) fronts, 4.9" bs (16mm offset rears)

The max bs you can get, is about 5.5", with only some minor hammer massaging to the wheel well & possibly rear LCA work (like tubular ones).

There is a whole section on TGO, for Photoshop requests.
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/si...shop-requests/

any update?