I'm looking for new wheels for my '88 Formula. When my 16-year-old daughter slid the 'Bird into a curb, it broke one of the wheels. They were originals, too. In fine condition. And since it's a Formula, it has WS6 suspension, which meant they were 16" X 8" offset wheels with deeper dish in the back.

I searched, but could not find any decent originals to replace it. So I replaced them with a set of American Racing Stars. Looked nice overall, but kinda funny looking, all polished aluminum on a black car with no other bright work. Anyway, these things have never held air properly, with multiple sets of tires. And they really love to attract and hold brake dust. Almost impossible to get clean.

So... Where does one look to find Firebird wheels nowadays? My Internet searches are coming up pretty empty. A very limited selection.

Do 4th gen wheels fit?

Is 17" X 8" the right width if I upsize by one size?

I'd like to find a set that is primarily black or black chrome. To me, chrome or polished just doesn't look right on a black car that has zero chrome or other brightwork on it.

What about the "Knight Rider" wheels? Do they look good? Are they available?

Is there a good source of original wheels?

Is anybody making OEM lookalikes?

 

trans am creations stocks used wheels, might give them a try.

i also saw that classic industries is now selling the crosslace wheels also. recent thread somewhere....aftermarket board maybe?

 

Do you have a source of that info? I just checked the Classic Industries web site, and their on-line catalog shows only a gray "ZR-1" wheel for third gens.

However, TransAm Creations has the same wheel in black. That looks pretty nice, except for the Corvette logo in the center. Nothing against 'Vettes, but that would be out of place.

I sent them an e-mail, though, asking about the backspacing.

 

well, if you are talking about the crosslace wheels on the ws6's and gta's, then here is the thread....

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...ghlight=wheels

if you are talking about the 5 spoke ones, i would have thought ta creations would have em. you could try lakeshore wheel and tire, too

 

I got an answer back from TransAm Creations about the ZR-1 wheels. They don't fit 3rd gens without adapters. The 11" rears won't fit without extending the fenders.

These aren't an option for me, then.

I also learned that 4th gen wheels won't fit 3rd gens without those same adapters.

 

I just downloaded the Classic Industries catalog, and sure enough. GTA "crosslace" wheels.

Not a bad price, considering they're "original" and have the proper WS6 offsets. 800 for the set.

But $74 and $83 EACH for the center caps? Without emblems?
$24 EACH for the emblems?
$2.50 EACH for the lug nuts?

That's an extra $460, and puts the whole set over 1200 bucks! OUCH!

 

http://www.wheelcollision.com/pontiac5.htm
I had found a site that sold all of the thirdgen wheels one time, but its on my other broken computer.