[Dave F]

I had a 75 trans am back in 1982 that had aluminum finish spokes on the steering wheel. And the 75 I have now does not have black spokes but they don't look aluminum either. I don't recall exactly what it looks like because the car has been at the body shop for quite some time.
Dave F

[Formulafr]

interesting the question is started again , but now we have to know why there was alu spoke?

[unruhjonny]

Sorry to get here a little late, but I know I can be of help;

The formulas wheels (other than thickness of padding) were only available in one type throught to 1975: black
- if your car has its original wheel it would be black.

The spokes in the formula wheels were aluminum till some time in 1978 or 1979 (1979 model year) when the spokes were changed to steel. At the time of the center section composition change the painted finish was also changed.
For aluminum center wheels, they had a black annodized finish that depending on how much sun it recieved could vary in darkness (I often notice the rear to be significantly darker than the front)
For steel center wheels, the finish was more akin to a black "crinkle" finish.

The first year/ model to offer an alternate fromula wheel was the '76-50th ann. T/A; The 50th an car received a black formula wheel with a gold tinted aluminum center.
To the best of my knowledge all 1977-78 SE T/A's recieved the same wheels as the 50th ann T/A.
1977 was the first year to offer an alternate coloured wheel, this was the Skybird package - they recieved light blue formula wheels.
To the best of my knowledge, the only alternate colour formula wheels used in 1978 were installed in either Skybirds(blue), the Redbirds (red w/gold center), or Y88 T/A's (tan wheel w/ gold center).
I believe that 1979 was the first year to offer colour matching formula wheels in any car.

I believe that the colours offered between 1977 and 1981 were:
-light blue
-dark blue
-red
-tan
-black

When the steel formula wheels were phased in they even replaced wheels that would previously come with a gold center section (I have heard of 1979 SE T/A's that came with either gold or black centered wheels).

[unruhjonny]

I almost forgot;

alot of the confusion seems to stem from when a car received a replacement (be it new from GM, or used) wheel.

[Formulafr]

ok, so since 70 to 75, they were only aviable in black. as i'm looking for put back a formula wheel (which was original equipement in my car) now i know what color it must be.

thanks all.