[elefantrider]

Anyone ever seen a wheel like this?

Note the difference on the spokes compared to the earlier, '71-72, custom sport wheel which has painted steel spokes with a raised center section.

This one has aluminum spokes.

The center has the early button type instead of the larger padded hub as used on the big cars.

What cars / years did it come on?

[BR57]

I believe that is a later style wheel as used on the downsize cars in 78 onward. It has been fitted with the earlier style horn botton. Usually a narrower rim width as well.

[elefantrider]

I think it a separate version from the big style button.

The big style button has an aluminum receiving rim that is larger in diameter.

Yes, it is a narrower rim width.

So this one was used on small cars while the padded large hub wheel was used on large cars?

The guy I got it from said it came out right after the '72 wheel, so was an in-between style.

[pontiacs4ever1971]

I have one on my 73 GTO. I think it was a $53.00 option

[77 Canamman]

Looks like someone modified a large hub Custom Sport wheel to accept the small hub. Here is a photo of a '73 and it has the same wheel as the earlier GTO's, as all of the ones I have seen...

[BR57]

I have an identical wheel on the shelf in the garage, it came from a 78 Grand LeMans. The spokes are thicker and brushed and no beveled edge like the one Rick posted. The large horn button is easily removed and the smaller one as picture fits. I've done it.

These wheels are getting hard to find so I'd use it and let the cruise night lawyers have something to talk about.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by BR57

...so I'd use it and let the cruise night lawyers have something to talk about.

Good One!

[Chief Wanabee]

Originally Posted by BR57

cruise night lawyers

Phrase of the month. Well done

[elefantrider]

Originally Posted by pontiacs4ever1971

I have one on my 73 GTO. I think it was a $53.00 option

Do you mean you have one with the big padded center or one like mine with the early center?

I think all '73s had the big padded center, like the Grand Am wheel.

[elefantrider]

Originally Posted by BR57

I have an identical wheel on the shelf in the garage, it came from a 78 Grand LeMans. The spokes are thicker and brushed and no beveled edge like the one Rick posted. The large horn button is easily removed and the smaller one as picture fits. I've done it.

On the big padded hub Grand Am wheel, does the anodizing go down to the hub center spokes or does it stop after the padded part. I've been told it stops after the padded part so wouldn't look correct with a small early hub cover. Lots of questions!

[zeebo]

Originally Posted by elefantrider

Do you mean you have one with the big padded center or one like mine with the early center?

I think all '73s had the big padded center, like the Grand Am wheel.

i have the 1973 accessories catalog, and they list both these wheels with the same RPO and name, but the pics are def different...(back cover)...im not sure how one differentiated between wheels when ordering a car at the time, but from what i understand, the lingo today is the small cap wheel is called the "PMD" or "GTO" wheel, and the larger padded center is called the "GP" or "Grand AM" wheel. i did not know that you could make a pmd cap fit a grand am wheel. but imho, the PMD wheel is a much better looking wheel..

[77 Canamman]

Late in '73 model year, the large hub sport wheel was used across the board for all A bodies so optioned. For most of the '73 model year, the small hub PMD wheel was used in all A bodies with the Custom Sport wheel option except the Grand Am (AH). All Grand Ams had the large hub sport wheel as standard equipment, during the entire model year.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by zeebo

i have the 1973 accessories catalog, and they list both these wheels with the same RPO and name, but the pics are def different...(back cover)...im not sure how one differentiated between wheels when ordering a car at the time, but from what i understand, the lingo today is the small cap wheel is called the "PMD" or "GTO" wheel, and the larger padded center is called the "GP" or "Grand AM" wheel. i did not know that you could make a pmd cap fit a grand am wheel. but imho, the PMD wheel is a much better looking wheel..

x 2 zeebo! I've never really liked the GA Large Padded wheel center either, but keep it bc that is unique to the car (like the unique "Euro" tuned sound from the horns).

[elefantrider]

It's not just the centers that are different on the 71-72 PMD vs 73-80 "Grand Am" wheel. The shape of the spokes, their coating and the rim thickness & diameter is different too.

I don't think the 73-80 "Grand Am" style was ever offered from the factory with a small PMD center. That is what was trying to determine.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by elefantrider

I don't think the 73-80 "Grand Am" style was ever offered from the factory with a small PMD center. That is what was trying to determine.

Correct

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by elefantrider

It's not just the centers that are different on the 71-72 PMD vs 73-80 "Grand Am" wheel. The shape of the spokes, their coating and the rim thickness & diameter is different too.

I don't think the 73-80 "Grand Am" style was ever offered from the factory with a small PMD center. That is what was trying to determine.

K Here’s some reference pics for you.

1973 GA Wheel


1973 Ventura Wheel


1973 GTO Wheel

[zeebo]

i know this about those wheels..the PMD wheel in 1973 avail. only in black, and also the last yr. avail. now questions: what was the intro. yr? what yrs were they offered in colors? is the 1973 PMD wheel identical to the 71 72 PMD wheels? thanks!!


oh, and a correction to my above post---the PMD wheel was also avail on the GP..not the Grand Am wheel, as i had stated it was called.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by zeebo

i know this about those wheels..the PMD wheel in 1973 avail. only in black, and also the last yr. avail. now questions: what was the intro. yr? what yrs were they offered in colors? is the 1973 PMD wheel identical to the 71 72 PMD wheels? thanks!!


oh, and a correction to my above post---the PMD wheel was also avail on the GP..not the Grand Am wheel, as i had stated it was called.

The wheels are the same from '71-'73. Never seen a '73 GP with the PMD wheel, all so optioned had the large hub sport wheel.

[zeebo]

when did they start making the PMD wheel? i have seen it in red, blue, green, and a wood wheel style. oh yeah, and the GP i saw that had the PMD wheel was a 72...no,i havent seen a 73 up GP with that PMD wheel either.

[pontiacjeff]

Originally Posted by elefantrider

Anyone ever seen a wheel like this?

Note the difference on the spokes compared to the earlier, '71-72, custom sport wheel which has painted steel spokes with a raised center section.

This one has aluminum spokes.

The center has the early button type instead of the larger padded hub as used on the big cars.

What cars / years did it come on?

Back to the beginning, I really think this is a 78-later wheel. I have one in my "Grand Suburban". Notice the flat spokes, no raised "rib". Like a 73-77 Custom Sport, but not as thick in the rim. And the black-only center is molded onto the spokes of a 73-77. The 78-later is not, so it it possible someone put the PMD center on a 78-later wheel. I'll take a picture of my blue wheel tomorrow.