[Baba O'Riley]

While we're on wheels, two questions -- my '71 Formula has what I assume are the original Rally II's. The tires on them are P245-60R15's. So are these wheels 15 x 7 or 15 x 8 or what?

Also, were the trim rings on '71 Formulas brushed chrome or bright chrome? The ones it came with -- three of them, that is -- are brushed and I'm looking for a fourth if they're correct.

Thanks...

[TA455HO]

If they are original likely 15x7. I don't think 15x8 was available on a 1971 Firebird.

Trim rings I believe are polished stainless steel. Not actually chrome, but your description of a brushed chrome is fairly close to how it could be described. I have 4 NOS trim rings in the box if you want me to take a pic of one I would be happy to, for you to compare to yours. I can also give you the part number off the box if it would be of any help.

Chad

[Norwood]

Originally Posted by TA455HO

If they are original likely 15x7. I don't think 15x8 was available on a 1971 Firebird.

polished stainless steel. Not actually chrome, but your description of a brushed chrome is fairly close to how it could be described.

I would say the 70/72 rings are polished stainless/not brushed. I am pretty sure that the 70/72 rings are still avalible from GM. They are the same ones used on 15/7 Chevy rally wheels.

The 73 and later rings I would call brushed....

[70RAlll]

Originally Posted by Norwood

I would say the 70/72 rings are polished stainless/not brushed. I am pretty sure that the 70/72 rings are still avalible from GM. They are the same ones used on 15/7 Chevy rally wheels.

The 73 and later rings I would call brushed....

I had a friend at a local dealership search GM's country database and there are exactly 3 original NOS 70-72 Trim rings still in their system!! So the original number isn't offered still, they may have a replacement number that is available, but not the original one. I have it written down out in the car..Will get it if someone needs the original number..


Craig- got all the hood latches,plus the 1970 only seat belt stops that you made.. It will be a couple weeks this time.. Let you know ASAP..
Bill

[TA455HO]

Here's some pics of a set of 4 trim rings I bought years ago (Paid $175). Baba said he wanted to see them. The PY online parts lookup shows this for these rings

9796696 5.871 F/8 RING, trim (15'' wheels) (w/valve stem hole x 4 1970 1973 5-41



Craig, I was more saying the polished stainless might be comparable to brushed chrome, if there is such a thing. They are not like polished chrome. At least not without some effort. But, yes, definitely polished stainless.

[TA455HO]

I noticed PartsIndustries has 45 of these trim rings available. $460 for a set of 4 NOS

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/67-81...ayphotohosting

[Norwood]

According to GM parts direct these are still avalible. They are kinda pricey....


GM PART # 9796696

PACK QTY: 1

GM LIST: $235.10
OUR PRICE: $144.26

[TA455HO]

Ya, by the time I added 4 to my cart and went to check out it added another 103+ for S&H. 680+ for a total. Ouch!

[prexford]

1971 Formula 400 4 speed

[pmdclassics]

Nice 71 Formula!
I took some pictures last night and thought the lucerne blue showed nice in the natural light.

[carcollector]

Very nice. My favorite color for sure.

[Baba O'Riley]

Okay, here’s my 1971 Formula. I bought it with my first real writing job, back in 1992. The owner was this weedy little oversuntanned guy who chain-smoked Marlboros, so of course it has a couple of cigarette melts on the console. The car was originally a Castilian Bronze / Sandalwood interior, but the guy had put a hodgepodge of bright-white velour interior bits from what I think was a disco-era Camaro on it. Years of his smoking made the inside of the car a rolling gas chamber. The guy lived in this area north of Los Angeles called Canyon Country that gets incredibly hot in July, which was when he sold me the car. As (no) luck would have it, one of the few things that didn’t work were the power windows, he had fried the switch somehow. Oh, and the AC “just needed Freon,” I’m sure you’ve all heard that one. So I had to drive it 35 miles to my house in rush-hour traffic on the hottest day of the year without being able to lower the windows. I would pull off the freeway about every 10 minutes, open the doors, and breathe a little. At one point a cop on a motorcycle stopped and asked if I was having a stroke.

Fortunately, I already had a torched-out 1971 Esprit with a fairly intact black interior and a surprisingly nice dash. The only other real issue was this electronic fuel pump the guy had installed by chopping a hole in the trunk floor. Even after the car was shut off, that pump would keep running – and it clattered as loud as an air compressor.

All the motor parts are original. What can I say, I love driving it, especially on a twisting mountain road with no one else on it. All my kid’s friends ask for rides in it. The other day I’m sitting in traffic on this busy street in West Los Angeles called Pico Blvd. and I hear a guy yell “HEY, WANNA SELL IT?” He pulls a U-turn with everybody honking, gets in the lane next to me, and offers to trade the Mustang GT he’s driving for my car, right there on the spot. Thanks for the laugh, pal.

[Rockcrusher72]

Awesome!!!

Love the color, good story too!

[carcollector]

I agree. Baba, what size tires are those?

[Baba O'Riley]

Originally Posted by carcollector

I agree. Baba, what size tires are those?

Tire size is P245-60R15. I get a small amount of rub on the front wheel wells when I turn all the way to one side or another, but I'm told that the original size tires for those wheels are no longer made. I like the cornering I get out of slightly bigger tires, it's worth what happens sometimes when I'm parking.

[jayb53guy]

Originally Posted by Baba O'Riley

Tire size is P245-60R15. I get a small amount of rub on the front wheel wells when I turn all the way to one side or another, but I'm told that the original size tires for those wheels are no longer made. I like the cornering I get out of slightly bigger tires, it's worth what happens sometimes when I'm parking.

I would say its worth it too,

[TNDan]

I hope this picture loads ok. It is my first time to try posting a pic here.

73 Brewster, 4sp, AC, numbers matching.

I will be looking for some tech advice soon!

[Indiana1970]

It's been a LONG while, but here's my '70, finally buffed out and interior finished...

[2manyT/A'S]

NICE LOOKING 70!

The green on green has really come back to haunt us.

AND,I'm SURE that the late "Snowman" would approve of your "seatcover"!

[Father&Son73T/A]

Originally Posted by TA455HO

I noticed PartsIndustries has 45 of these trim rings available. $460 for a set of 4 NOS

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/67-81...ayphotohosting

Are these correct for 73 honeycombs?