So I talked to BJ at Hawks last week, and she talked to Bruce regarding producing a 17" version of the 1988-92 Formula deep dish wheel. For those like me who want 17s for better tire options, but find nothing looks as good on a Formula as the stock wheel, and for those who want 17s with an otherwise stock look, this would be a major development.


For those who don't know, Hawks, http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ now offers the more popular Trans Am GTA style cross-lace wheels in 17x9. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...17x9-mesh.html


So, according to Bruce, this is what will be required to make this happen:

• At least 25 committed buyers
• A non-refundable $250 deposit from each buyer (read: serious buyers only)

According to BJ, a set of these wheels would likely cost similar, but probably less than the new 17" cross-lace wheels. so a set of these will most likely run about $1000, give or take a hundred. from the time production is green-lit (submission of the $250 deposits) it would take about a year for the wheels to be produced.


So, the purpose of this poll is to solicit for people who are interested enough to commit to buying a set of 17x9 Formula wheels, and have no problem paying a non-refundable $250 deposit. if this describes you, then vote Yes, (the only option) in the poll. if not, then don't click Yes on the poll.

 

The riveted turbo style wheels?

 

Will have to sleep on this. Its something I've always wanted.
I still have a pile of stuff to get from Hawks already

 

indeed, sir. the factory 88-92 Formula wheel.

 

C'mon people. I'm watching my dream circling the drain here.

 

face it, most thirdgenners don't have the coin to get new fancy stuff, and are impatient to the point they wouldn't want to front the cash without the product.

I'm still in on my end. Moreso than the crosslaces.

 

Thanks, Justin.

23 more to go.

 

Looks like getting Hawks to repro IROCs in 18x8-11 should be next!

 

would there be a front/rear offset or would they be the same all around?

 

in all likelyhood, like the new GTA wheels, they would all be the deeper-set front wheel.

 

Why was 17x9 decided? Any idea on the weight? I would rather have rotation possibilities than the factory offsets - otherwise, I can find a better dedicated set-up (and lighter). Cost is attractive. And with my drop spindles, 9" is probably out (will be very close).
Intriguing!

 

I'm sure they will all 4 be the same offset like the crosslace are.

 

well... i dont want to speak out of school here. but, 17x9 was merely implied in the conversation i had with BJ at Hawks. it is the most common or at least woud be in common with their new 17x9 crosslace wheels. i'm sure that in order to keep production costs down, they arent going to want to make variable sizes and offsets - not without a large number of commited buyers anyway. i dont know about the weight or anything like that. depending on material, i'm guessing it would weigh similar to slightly more than a stock wheel. not sure about your purposes, but for my purposes, i need a 17" Formula wheel - period, more than i need the absolute ultimate in light weight. essentially, what has been implied so far is the exact same elements in the equation as the new 17x9 crosslace wheels, only it would be a Formula wheel. it made financial sense for Hawks to unilaterally develope the 17" crosslace because 1) they are more popular, and 2) they are more versitile - meaning they also look great on a G-body, ect. on the other hand, these Formula wheels (as you know) look better than anything, on a Firebird Formula, but probably dont belong on anything that isnt a Pontiac>Firebird>Third Gen.

 

I would like a set but cant say I would put down a deposit until I knew for sure and when i would get the set. would be nice if they were wider than 9" but would need to decide on a tire size that would be common enough to not end up having to search for that one brand in 10 years

 

It's good that all four are zero offset!

This doesn't apply to the wheel ordering - does anyone make the lug caps for 1/2" studs & lugs? I do have Gorilla 1/2" lugs with the outside threads. 3D printer?

 

I'm in.

Subscribed for updates. Although I would much prefer 18x9.5" for bigger brakes... Could go in line with the new 18" Irocs released. I would still pickup a set in 17" though.

 

We need 20 more people! Lets get the ball rolling... According to one of the articles I read about Hawks, us Formula guys are the ones with the sick builds!

 

Unfortunately, if we don't get the commitments, next year i'll probably be going with a set of Firehawk wheels. For my car i think they would be the next best thing.

 

I already have legit Ronal R15's and a set of 17" Epsilon mesh, AND I would still buy these!

 

I would rather have these than the ronal r15's I wonder if classic industries had any interest in a order?

17x9 is actually a good size when looking at tire options wider would be more ideal for me but keeping in mind the other buyers I think a 9" rim is just fine

 

17" wheels with 1/2" studs and stock appearance!
I think these lug nuts will fit 1/2" studs, but have the same external thread in order to use the plastic caps. http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemde...SEName=611-159

 

Ted, it sounds interesting, but the link doesnt work. Well, the site is down.

 

Just worked on my phone

 

Mmm. Okay its working now. I thought you had a line on some stock-Formula-lookin wheels.

 

No line. I agree with you that nothing looks quite like the oem. I'm lurking and contemplating.
A multi-spoke lightweight wheel like forgeline GW3, but they cost big. My drop spindles may not allow the 17x9, may/may not.
I am intrigued.
It will take a while to recover from the MW 12 bolt w/Wilwood 4pot e-brakes.

 

Bumping this back up...

 

I am definitely interested. I want to put my mint original 16x8's away for safe keeping. if these are replica's of the 1990 16x8 wheel, then half way there. The other question is how does it look on car and does it affect speedometer? Forgot a question: Will they be a direct fit, no spacers, ect.....

This guys: 17" fronts are hitting his exhaust...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/whee...e-slp-zr1.html

Sorry GTA guys, but the Formula wheel is the prettiest of them all !

 

I'd be in for a set BUT I have a question and comment:

Would they be 87 style or the 88 and up TurboTech wheels?? I'd want the 88 and up style because of my car being an 88 : )

EDIT: I just saw that these would be the 88-92 style.

And on the Formulas, unlike the GTA... the wheels were flush to the outside. They didn't have the noticeable offset look to them, so I would want the wheels to have the same looking offset from the outside view as the factory wheels do. Not sure what they would plan on doing for that.

Thanks

JMV

 

They would all be like the deeper [front] wheels.

 

Thanks! That would be great. I'm guessing no PONTIAC inscription?

 

I would take a set. Would also like to see the 91-92 stock camaro wheels in a 17x9 as well

 

that was not discussed [with BJ at Hawks], but i would think probably not.

 

Check out these threads:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/whee...ml#post5967904

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/whee...port-18-a.html

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/382847...photo-gallery/

I'd love to see a nice staggered setup out of this design. Put some nice meats on the back, 275/35 in back and 245/40 in front something like that, what ever makes sense and looks good.