#1  
Old 08-01-2022, 03:48 PM
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Default NOS Formula Wheel ID help

Found this Formula wheel during my ongoing garage cleansing. It's in the original box which has a USPS ship date of March 3, 1975. Box has the 487290 label on it.

The wheel measurements taken with a vernier caliper are as follows:
1.150 when measured against the seam
1.120 when measured against the front and back round sides.

When you wrap a standard business card around it you get a 3/8" gap. No molding code on the backside. Has the double seam visible on the outer circumference.

My question is this: is this an early version 1970 thick wheel that was boxed up and sat around on the shelf in a GM warehouse til someone bought it? How long was the 487290 part number used? From 1970 onward til???
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  #2  
Old 08-01-2022, 03:49 PM
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measurements:
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  #3  
Old 08-01-2022, 03:51 PM
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more detail photos
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  #4  
Old 08-01-2022, 05:48 PM
Ramairnacho Ramairnacho is offline
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Default Your wheel

Beautiful wheel and what's interesting to me is that I have seen big IC, little Ic,icx,and blank. There are 2 styles of blanks and I own I of each. I believe that late 73 early 74 had the fat different style blank. My formula had its original I believe and it's a blank but bought the car used In 78. Some say the blank is the Real McCoy wheel and is 73 only but honestly Im curious. I own both blank styles and a little ic. I like yours it's cool. I chatted with a man on Facebook that has a judge gto with a stock blank too, so it's hard to say but my guess on production cars you would see a fat wheel till 74 but it might look different in later 74 and over counter stuff was in stock for a while I guess. I wish I had one like your. Im no expert but I like formula wheels. Another thing I learned that from factory you Couldn't get fat wheel.without variable duration steering box, ever notice a formula with the big standard wheel?

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Old 08-01-2022, 06:20 PM
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Here's the applications for that part number, from the online parts database:

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  #6  
Old 08-01-2022, 07:27 PM
'ol Pinion head 'ol Pinion head is offline
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The problem with using such "parts databases" is it doesn't take into account part numbers being superseded part numbers from original part numbers. 546296 was the original part number for original late '69 usage up through at least mid year '73 Formula wheels. Original late '69 through Jan1,73 dated Pontiac MPCs as well as reorinted Assembly Manuals show that number.

The 546296 listing includes early original thick rim versions with the small IC stamped molded into the back. Later '72 model Formula wheels should exhibit an ICX in the same spot. I have no idea how long the ICX style thick rim Formula wheel continued to be used, but I feel up into '73 models. Am sure Telly or another member with multiple decades of chasing '73's & 74 SD cars will have a better idea of when the soft thick Formuka wheel showed up.

Have quite a few early original thick rim Formula wheels which are either original to my own cars, or ones I've sourced that were in nicer shape.. First started pulling Formula wheels in the very early '80's. One of the earliest I ever came across & pulled that was very nice was in a '74 T/A in huge local late model GM yard. That particular Formula wheel is thick, but is made of a softer foam material than the original IC & ICX wheels from my 70-72 cars.

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Old 08-01-2022, 07:30 PM
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This is an unmarked fat wheel I just bought. Early 73 from what I can tell but who knows I could be wrong. I compared it to an original 1970 IC wheel and they are very close in diameter
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  #8  
Old 08-01-2022, 08:02 PM
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IMHO steering wheel is '73 , but could be sold for many years after till non factory stock changed to newer part numbers. Our dealer installed these with black collars on all sorts of cars that owners wanted, in order to purchase.
I'm sure Matt will have to have this..
Steve, on the collar, can we see the slot inside and the part number?

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Old 08-01-2022, 08:18 PM
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Will do.

Any idea what this next wheel is? It's been on my Gramma's 75 'bird since around 1993 when I bought it used. Very soft/spongy material and has two codes on the back side. It's 1.160 by 1.110.
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Last edited by njsteve; 08-01-2022 at 08:38 PM.
  #10  
Old 08-01-2022, 08:27 PM
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No part number that I can see on the 487290 wheel hub. Here's the inside view:
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Last edited by njsteve; 08-01-2022 at 08:36 PM.
  #11  
Old 08-01-2022, 08:39 PM
Ramairnacho Ramairnacho is offline
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Red face Your 74

Quote:
Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head View Post
The problem with using such "parts databases" is it doesn't take into account part numbers being superseded part numbers from original part numbers. 546296 was the original part number for original late '69 usage up through at least mid year '73 Formula wheels. Original late '69 through Jan1,73 dated Pontiac MPCs as well as reorinted Assembly Manuals show that number.

The 546296 listing includes early original thick rim versions with the small IC stamped molded into the back. Later '72 model Formula wheels should exhibit an ICX in the same spot. I have no idea how long the ICX style thick rim Formula wheel continued to be used, but I feel up into '73 models. Am sure Telly or another member with multiple decades of chasing '73's & 74 SD cars will have a better idea of when the soft thick Formuka wheel showed up.

Have quite a few early original thick rim Formula wheels which are either original to my own cars, or ones I've sourced that were in nicer shape.. First started pulling Formula wheels in the very early '80's. One of the earliest I ever came across & pulled that was very nice was in a '74 T/A in huge local late model GM yard. That particular Formula wheel is thick, but is made of a softer foam material than the original IC & ICX wheels from my 70-72 cars.
I believe that the wheel.your describing is the second version of the fat wheel. I have 1 too and yes it's softer

  #12  
Old 08-01-2022, 09:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by njsteve View Post
No part number that I can see on the 487290 wheel hub. Here's the inside view:
Hub number in inside bottom and is circular, should be readable

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  #13  
Old 08-01-2022, 10:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formulabruce View Post
Hub number in inside bottom and is circular, should be readable
LOL My old eyes didn't see it. I'll try again. How's this "6000 00"? and maybe a single "9" or "6" across from it.
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Last edited by njsteve; 08-01-2022 at 10:34 PM.
  #14  
Old 08-01-2022, 11:48 PM
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Not having a sculpted backside (like all 1970 to 1973 were - with 1973 having no ic/IC/icx stamp) lends me to believe it is NOT a 1973.

Most likely the next a size down so a 1974-1976 wheel is what you have.

Someone with a 1974 Super Duty Trans Am needs that for sure.

  #15  
Old 08-02-2022, 05:56 AM
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On first pics.
What is the date stamp on the horn switch? I'm guessing later 1974.

Same with second set.

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Old 08-02-2022, 09:35 AM
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This is all I could find for markings on the switch.
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Old 08-02-2022, 05:19 PM
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Sorry, I can't help. I've not seen one stamped like that.

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Old 08-02-2022, 06:58 PM
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Collar is the 73 ish and up style.

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Old 08-08-2022, 05:10 PM
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FWIW,.....the LF stampings stood for LittleFuse. Yes, the same company that made glass fuses, 'back in the day".

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