Wheel poll

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword) 01/01/2020 at 13:31 • Filed to: None

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So im thinking about grabbing a set of rims for the t/a. I am obsessed with the factory style wheels, due to them being some of the best factory wheels of any car (fight me). This leaves me with three options, and pricing is not helping me out here.

My no 1 favorite option is the 1980-81 turbo/turbine anniversary style wheels, in natural finish. Its hard for me to tell without a chance to look at them side-by side, but my favorite style overall. These can also be plasti-dipped white like the pace car versions to match my white interior for a cool (retro mod-esque) effect.

Option 2 would be the year one 17" snowflake wheels. These can fit modern tires and brakes, if i so desired later. Tire costs are somewhat comparable, and understanding obsolescence it may be in my best long term interest. Tire performance will also be dramatically better. Downsides are decreased ride quality, the possibility of curbing and a somewhat loss of orignality.

Option 3 would be the factory 15" snowflake rims, which would have been the correct upgrade for my car. Still gorgeous, and I would still be a very happy boy. Style wise ( and cleaning I can imagine) they are edged out by the turbines. I highly doubt the turbines help brake cooling and likely hurt it at reasonable speed.

Im too lazy to make a poll at work.

Penny for your thoughts oppo

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:38

2

You don’t have to fight me those are all fucking gorgeous. I think you already ranked them in order for me, too top to  bottom best to least best. I will admit #2 and #1 might need the ride height of the 2nd pic to look THAT good, while the turbofans wouldn’t need the lift. 

lone_liberal > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:40

2

I think my preference matches the order here. Really though, they are all really nice and you can’t make a bad choice.

slipperysallylikespenguins > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:40

5

All three are awesome and snowflakes are some of my favorite wheels, but not nearly enough cars have turbines. Even at car shows I rarely see turbines on anything anymore. My vote is option 1.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:44

1

They are all good! I went an inch up in size on the Z for the brakes and tires, so far that has been a really good decision performance and safety wise.

WilliamsSW > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:46

2

There are no wrong choices here, they all look great. I’d probably go #2 for the reasons you describe and the looks, personally.

Chuckles > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:53

1

All great choices, but the larger wheels on #2 are probably my least favorite of the three.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:56

4

Proof that Asseto Garra’s look good on everything

ClassicDatsunDebate > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:58

2

Body matched OEM Rally wheels with beauty rings.

GLiddy > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 13:59

1

My blue TA had the 15x 7" grey snowflakes. I thought they were best looking wheels . The 15x8" WS6 snowflakes are fine and give the car a more muscled look, but if I had that car still, I’d just go for the 17" snowflakes.

My bird IS the word > slipperysallylikespenguins 01/01/2020 at 14:02

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Its due to the production numbers. Nobody bought the 80-81 turbos vs about 100k trans ams built in 79. Add that to the number of swapped wheels and they are decently rare.

My bird IS the word > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 01/01/2020 at 14:03

1

Good point, I can’t really mess with ride height right now.

My bird IS the word > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 01/01/2020 at 14:05

1

It makes me happy that people are taking care of the much-maligned turbo cars

My bird IS the word > ClassicDatsunDebate 01/01/2020 at 14:07

0

I already have those, although they need sanded, painted, and some new hardware. Not thinking selling them right now.

Maxima Speed > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 14:18

1

My favorite is option 3

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 14:23

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Style wise 1, 3,2.

Though I have a similar problem with a pair of fuchs. they look awesome and period correct but options are few and far betwen with the proper tires are 13 00 vs 700 for good set on the 964 wheels. 

Sovande > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 14:24

1

The 17" snowflakes and drop spindles. That second car is the one of my dreams, right  down to the color.

AestheticsInMotion > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 14:24

1

I normally don't like bigger wheels on older cars, but number two just looks perfect to me. Having access to good rubber is nice too

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 14:26

2

These:

https://www.yearone.com/Product/1967-1968-1969-1970-1971-1972-1973-1974-1975-1976-1977-1978-1979-1980-1981-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-parts/gsf179kr

Or some BBS basket weaves

gettingoldercarguy > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 14:40

1

Those snowflake wheels are gorgeous, the 17"ones.

M.T. Blake > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 14:53

1

The 17s will make it look updated. I liked the Year One 17s I had on my former Camaro. Retro look, modern size. My vote is obvious.

Gone > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 15:11

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2, 3, 1

MM54 > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 15:42

1

I like the snowflakes, size is up to you based on the factors you listed such as decent tire availability, brake clearance, and unoriginality.

arl > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 17:47

0

All good choices. Snowflakes if I  had to choose just one.

sony1492 > My bird IS the word 01/01/2020 at 19:23

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15" snowflakes look best imo

pip bip - choose Corrour > My bird IS the word 01/02/2020 at 02:41

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those first ones do it for me

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > My bird IS the word 01/02/2020 at 10:47

1

It does help that Year 1 sells the 15x8 WS6 rims. I was thinking about the 17"s for move at some point. There are WS6 turbines as well I think. 

My bird IS the word > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! 01/02/2020 at 11:10

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The 15x8s are actually the only size they make for both wheels I think. . Not sure why anyone would buy a full set of 15x7s anyway. I wish they made a 17 inch turbine but theyd have to be smoking crack to think that would sell.

shop-teacher > My bird IS the word 01/02/2020 at 16:04

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#3 is my favorite, but you're not going to go wrong with either of these. Personally, a 15" wheel with raised white letter tires, is where it's at on vehicles of this vintage.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > My bird IS the word 01/03/2020 at 08:35

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I honestly don’t know if 15x7 turbines exist. I guess that’s what I was trying to say. I wish I had 15x8, looks so much better. I am also exploring making 17"forged Snowflakes.  The Year 1's are cast I believe.

My bird IS the word > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! 01/03/2020 at 08:45

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Yeah they were a factory option. I have no idea why making 2 separate wheels was somehow cheaper than making the 15x8 standard when rally wheels were the “cheap” option.  Much more difficult to tell the difference on the turbines than the snowflakes, you have to use a ruler.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > My bird IS the word 01/03/2020 at 13:23

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They all should have been 15x8.

My bird IS the word > My bird IS the word 01/04/2020 at 10:44

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http://78ta.com/Pages/rims.htm

Good info here