Ok, I admit it, this is my FIRST Firebird (1989 Formula rescue from a field with rabbits living under the hood).

Are the fancy alloy wheels in the back DIFFERENT in size from the ones in front? I was being lazy when putting new tires on it and put a REAR wheel in the front only to find it rubbing on my strut housing and tie rod. Put the front wheel on the FRONT and the car is happy as ever.

AM I missing something OR is there some magic to the rear wheels (Not TIRES mind you) being larger (wider) than the front? Car drives great now (Thanks in LARGE part to the info I have found on this board THANK YOU ALL), just wondering.

 

yes they are probably different in the back spacing. if they are stock 16 inch rims the front rims should be marked front and the rear should be marked rear.
dont let some tire jockey switch them because he is too busy lying to his co workers about some dog that turned him down - but the way he will tell it - she was a beauty but he had a better looking one already waiting.
in the middle of his bs he will put a front on the back or maybe both. they should be clearly market.
16X8 should be their size

 

THANK YOU!! Poor old me was thinking I was losing what little of my mind was left. These ARE the alloy "PONTIAC" wheels with the odd cross hatching design.

As for the "Tire Jockey", I have to confess the idiot was ME. I took the wheels off and brought them to my local guy and then put them back on myself. SO, no one to blame BUT me. *FACEPALM*.

 

Front wheels will fit the rear, but rear wheels will not fit the front, as you discovered.

If you get a chance to buy 2 more front wheels, grab them. That way you have 4 wheels that will fit anywhere. And the way they set out about 1/4" farther will give the rear a much better look, but still well under the fender, so they won't stick out any.

 

Will DO and thanks again!!!

I normally work on early 70s vintage OLDS (Cuts, 442 and the like) but this was a neat project at a killer price and I am still learning the rope. SO FAR, runs FAST and STRONG and since I deleted the computer, been a JOY to drive.