[njsteve]

The spokes appear to have a sanded metal finish with the grain all going one direction. It looks to be painted flat black originally and not anodized or cast finish.

[njsteve]

Here's a weird thing I noticed. I have been measuring the three wheels I have around here and I have found that the area that runs between the 4 and 8 o'clock positions is noticeably thicker than the area on the 10 to 2 oclock positions. This can't be from the sun shrinking it since the "NOS" wheel I have is the same way.

Here's an example. The first number is the back to front measurement and the second is the outside to inside seam measurement.

[GREGGDOG]

From the archives:

Big vs. Small IC clarification...

70 BIG IC, 71 small ic, 72 icx

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...light=IC+wheel

[Judge273]

Then, you read some other threads...

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=393082&page=2

[GREGGDOG]

Originally Posted by Judge273

Then, you read some other threads...

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=393082&page=2

165th's info seems right to me - at least it supports what I have seen.

[rexs73gto]

I have a formula wheel on my 73 GTO thats been on there fro over 35 years. I got it off a 70 GTO , I know it's a fat wheel but what do I look for on it to see what number or cast or series it is. I've never really looked at it close as it's been on for so long. I only know that there was a fat & thin wheel. ?????

[Norwood]

Letter are on back side of simulated leather on center spoke

[transam1972]

I always thought that the Formula wheels used on the early Pontiacs was the best...I do not know if one vendor supplied all the wheels but the changes that occurred definitely down graded (IMO) THE EARLY CLASSIC WHEEL..I purchased a N.OS. wheel(1977?) and except for the thinner rim it is as close to the early rim than the still later wheels that have scalloped angle at the spokes?!..the worst are the last ones with a wrinkle finish..so what year was the best wheel discontinued?

[Held for Ransom]

Steve, pictured is my early '74, still had the '73 style wheel. The later had the style you've posted. Also posting a '72 ICX wheel. Notice the dates.

[RLEngland]

What do you all make of this wheel? Notice the injection hole is closer to the spokes much like a 70 IC wheel. Looking at many examples of other years, I noticed in all of the 71 small ic, 72 ICX, and 73s with the same sculpting that the injection hole moved further away from the center. This would lead me to believe this is a 69/70 wheel. Unless 73 molds had different positions for the injection holes.

[Tellyshavilli]

Originally Posted by RLEngland

What do you all make of this wheel? Notice the injection hole is closer to the spokes much like a 70 IC wheel. Looking at many examples of other years, I noticed in all of the 71 small ic, 72 ICX, and 73s with the same sculpting that the injection hole moved further away from the center. This would lead me to believe this is a 69/70 wheel. Unless 73 molds had different positions for the injection holes.

What’s the circumference measurement on the grip? I have seen some 69 Trans Am formula steering wheels , obviously the thick one, but there is no IC on the backside.

[Ramairnacho]

My original steering wheel for my 70 formula doesn't have ic stamp but is original and has different location of mold injection hole compared to a 73. I believe either forgot to engrave or stamp ic or it's a 69.

[RLEngland]

Originally Posted by Tellyshavilli

What’s the circumference measurement on the grip? I have seen some 69 Trans Am formula steering wheels , obviously the thick one, but there is no IC on the backside.

It's thick at 3 7/8 in most places. As far as I know, all these wheels with the racetrack pattern on the back are very close to the same thickness. Who knows how many different molds they had. I'll bet the 69/70 wheels without the IC stamp come from the same set of molds as the ones with the IC stamp. For some reason a single mold or a few didn't have the IC. What I can't see happening is the 69/70 molds having the injection hole near the spokes and the 71-73 moving away from the center, then moving back towards the center like this one. That's why I don't think this wheel was cast in 73. There was definitely more than one mold, so maybe the injection holes were in different places. I guess we'd have to compare a lot wheels to figure that out.

[Tellyshavilli]

Originally Posted by RLEngland

It's thick at 3 7/8 in most places. As far as I know, all these wheels with the racetrack pattern on the back are very close to the same thickness. Who knows how many different molds they had. I'll bet the 69/70 wheels without the IC stamp come from the same set of molds as the ones with the IC stamp. For some reason a single mold or a few didn't have the IC. What I can't see happening is the 69/70 molds having the injection hole near the spokes and the 71-73 moving away from the center, then moving back towards the center like this one. That's why I don't think this wheel was cast in 73. There was definitely more than one mold, so maybe the injection holes were in different places. I guess we'd have to compare a lot wheels to figure that out.

Yes, it would be good for research if we could get several guys with original 1969 TAs with Formula steering wheels to send some pictures (must be original formula wheel ) and measurements . I don’t believe any of the 70 Trans Ams came with without any ic stamp on the backside of formula wheel ,at least none out of the several hundred I’ve researched and Documented but maybe one or two slipped through.

[Ramairnacho]

Originally Posted by Tellyshavilli

Yes, it would be good for research if we could get several guys with original 1969 TAs with Formula steering wheels to send some pictures (must be original formula wheel ) and measurements . I don’t believe any of the 70 Trans Ams came with without any ic stamp on the backside of formula wheel ,at least none out of the several hundred I’ve researched and Documented but maybe one or two slipped through.

Can you explain why my original wheel is a non stamped ic but has injection hole in same location? My car ra3 formula assembled in 1st week on March.