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  #41  
Old 08-27-2020, 07:44 PM
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Got mine today,,,,looks good. Hopefully the installation goes smooth.

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  #42  
Old 08-28-2020, 03:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scott70 View Post
Got mine today,,,,looks good. Hopefully the installation goes smooth.
Getting mine at the end of the week..ordered in May' 2020, cant wait to install..

  #43  
Old 08-29-2020, 09:27 AM
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Mine showed up Thursday. A very kind lady from Ames called a few days before that and asked that I not say anything for a bit since she had lots of calls to make. Examined it last night, looks great. Rim texture and paint finish different from OEM but not drastically so.

I'm quite pleased with what I have and with the quality of Ames' CSRs.

Additionally want to thank Ccass for his information.

Stuart

  #44  
Old 09-05-2022, 05:42 AM
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Default Broken Spoke

Well, it lasted two years' worth of almost all "shelf" time. My car has only been out for four cruises since installing the wheel. Got in the car yesterday and this is what happened.

I've tried rotating the picture, but with no luck, sorry.

Slick
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  #45  
Old 09-05-2022, 10:43 AM
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Ouch!

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  #46  
Old 09-05-2022, 11:26 AM
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How did that break?

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  #47  
Old 09-05-2022, 11:49 AM
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I sat in the car after replacing the rear end and rear suspension. Grabbed the wheel as I went to start the car and it snapped.

I've pushed and pulled cars by the steering wheel. I was in a terrible front end wreck in my 70 Trans Am in 1979, one that bent the steering wheel. But I've never, ever had one break like this!!!
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  #48  
Old 09-05-2022, 12:22 PM
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Wow. That just crazy that happened.

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  #49  
Old 09-05-2022, 03:58 PM
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I have said all along - the repop Formula wheels are PURE TRASH and should be banned from being sold. SO UNSAFE.

Pure recycled garbage from China.

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Old 09-05-2022, 05:09 PM
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Sorry that happened. Glad it wasn't on the road. I agree that these wheels are suspect and need to be re-engineered and then manufactured using top grade materials!

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Old 09-05-2022, 05:37 PM
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I actually asked the guys at the Ames trailer at the Trans Am Nationals about this. The wheel on my 79 bends back and forth and will eventually break like this. Hopefully not while driving. They said that they heard of them bending but had never seen one break. So much for that…

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Old 09-05-2022, 05:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 65madgoat View Post
I have said all along - the repop Formula wheels are PURE TRASH and should be banned from being sold. SO UNSAFE.

Pure recycled garbage from China.
You were absolutely right!

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Old 09-05-2022, 08:40 PM
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I really want a fat Formula wheel but had heard the quality of the re-pops just isn’t there, this proves it.. Looks like I’ll take my original thin rim and go the leather wrapped route….

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  #54  
Old 09-06-2022, 08:43 AM
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I see nice originals at almost every swap I go to. I wouldn’t buy a repoop.

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  #55  
Old 09-06-2022, 11:19 PM
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The LeCarra wheels use way better billet aluminum cores that do not bend like this junk that is being peddled by Pontiac restoration houses. Sure the Lecarra wheel is in leather and has a stitching on the grip at 5 o'clock, but if you can't find a good used Formula wheel (plenty exist in 1976 and newer grip size), this is the safe (and smarter) way to go:

https://www.jegs.com/p/Lecarra/Lecar...62685/10002/-1

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  #56  
Old 09-07-2022, 07:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 65madgoat View Post
The LeCarra wheels use way better billet aluminum cores that do not bend like this junk that is being peddled by Pontiac restoration houses. Sure the Lecarra wheel is in leather and has a stitching on the grip at 5 o'clock, but if you can't find a good used Formula wheel (plenty exist in 1976 and newer grip size), this is the safe (and smarter) way to go:

https://www.jegs.com/p/Lecarra/Lecar...62685/10002/-1
The Lecarra wheel is not in stock any place I could find.

I bought a used late model wheel, so-so condition, just to drive the car and make it to a couple of events.

I ordered the Lecarra wheel through Jegs.. If you believe Jegs, the manufacturer will ship October 5th; Summit says November 4th. We shall see.

Stuart

  #57  
Old 09-07-2022, 09:05 AM
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If you are seeking the black 61401 wheel, this retailer indicates they have 5 in stock:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33455187384...Bk9SR-L13IDjYA

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  #58  
Old 09-07-2022, 11:50 AM
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yikes!
I had no idea that the repops were in any was inferior to originals!

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  #59  
Old 09-07-2022, 12:08 PM
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Well the Pontiac parts house repops is pure trash quality wise. Not safe to hang on a wall as it might bend or break just looking at it.

The Lecarra wheel recreation of the Formula wheel on the other hand is super well constructed. Just being leather sometimes looks too 'new' in vintage interiors. So therefore you need to find a good original to match the patina of your interior.

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  #60  
Old 09-07-2022, 04:08 PM
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Not a fat wheel, but just a clean 1978 thin grip one none the less on ebay for a fair price:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/325331395687?

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