Coolest Automotive Designs: 1971-76 Pontiac Honeycomb Wheels (on Firebirds & Trans Ams)

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  • Опубликовано: 2 дек 2024

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  • @dannyg6592
    @dannyg6592 Год назад +1

    My neighbor bought a new '76 Firebird Formula with Honeycomb wheels. The car and the wheels looked fantastic. One downside of this wheel is when using a self-serve car wash, the high pressure spray coming out of the hose nozzle was shot right back at the user's face by the honeycombs. I know as I used to wash her car in exchange for being allowed to drive it! Thanks for the memories, Adam!

  • @geraldstephens8791
    @geraldstephens8791 2 года назад +10

    The 71 with the small fender vent was the best. The new seat design, and interior with 73 grill with hexagonal elements seem to be just about perfect.

  • @Primus54
    @Primus54 2 года назад +4

    Absolutely love the light green Firebird with the dual hood scoops at 0:35! Thanks, Adam!

    • @audieconrad8995
      @audieconrad8995 2 года назад +1

      Yah those long scoops were gorgeous. AMC had a very similar design for the '69 Javelin. They looked like they meant business!

  • @arnepianocanada
    @arnepianocanada 2 года назад

    All hat and no cattle !!!!! A splendidly vivid image depicted! Thank you for using it.

  • @hiitsstillme
    @hiitsstillme 2 года назад +2

    One of our favorite features... on one of our favorite cars. Thanks Adam!

  • @adammiller2246
    @adammiller2246 2 года назад

    I had one of these cars. It was a Formula ( twin scoops on hood ) with a 455 SD, 4 speed, and posi rear , Ascot silver and loaded with options. I sold it!!I have been kicking myself in the ass ever since.

  • @rightlanehog3151
    @rightlanehog3151 2 года назад +39

    Adam, It is very broad-minded of you to feature a 'pony car' like the Firebird on your Land Yacht channel. 😁

  • @crumdoggy
    @crumdoggy 2 года назад +2

    Great video!

  • @trevorchapman1694
    @trevorchapman1694 2 года назад +5

    Here in Australia we also had the 14 inch honeycomb wheels on Holdens.They were a very heavy duty steel wheel with the honeycomb pattern made of vulcanised rubber and had the chrome trim rings.

  • @Sedan57Chevy
    @Sedan57Chevy 2 года назад +6

    These are awesome and really helped set apart the Firebird during this era. My favorite styled wheels of all time have to be the good old Magnum 500 5 spoke, and the Buick equivalent 5 spoke.

    • @audieconrad8995
      @audieconrad8995 2 года назад +4

      Magnum 500's looked great on everything! All the car companies used them.

    • @DanEBoyd
      @DanEBoyd 2 года назад +4

      @@audieconrad8995 Chrome Magnum 500s...
      Honeycombs also came on A body Lemans and GTOs, and I believe Grand Ams, and I've seen pictures of a couple of X body '74 GTOs with them.

    • @solemandd67
      @solemandd67 2 года назад +1

      Buick's Sabre Spoke/Road Wheel, Magnum 500's and Pontiac's Rally II's are my favorites.

  • @chrisjohnson3912
    @chrisjohnson3912 2 года назад +3

    By far and away my favorite car of the 1970's...

  • @stephenvelden295
    @stephenvelden295 2 года назад +7

    These were available in Australia as an option on the Holden cars. I remember, them being criticized for going out of balance at high speed. The 1978 LE Monaro had them in Gold as standard fitment. They certainly looked good despite any shortcomings!

  • @milwaukeemikee4063
    @milwaukeemikee4063 2 года назад +1

    Always loved those wheels! Good call!

  • @WhittyPics
    @WhittyPics 2 года назад +3

    I used to own a 1978 Firebird but mine came with the standard rally wheels. Being around 18 at the time I took those off and put on a set of Craiger S/S wheels. Looking back today, I am really digging those Honeycomb wheels and I wish I had them on mine. They were pretty darn cool.

    • @DanEBoyd
      @DanEBoyd 2 года назад

      Back in those days, I would've removed even Honeycombs in favor of the Cragars...

  • @warmstrong5612
    @warmstrong5612 2 года назад +2

    The snowflake pattern is still my favorite but the honeycomb is a close second. The second gen 'birds are all beauty's.

  • @JacksonTylerOR
    @JacksonTylerOR 2 года назад +1

    All pretty wheels.

  • @THROTTLEPOWER
    @THROTTLEPOWER 2 года назад +2

    Great vid, really enjoyed!! 👍👍👍

  • @buixrule
    @buixrule 2 года назад +1

    Agree on the 2nd gen firebirds. Beautiful.

  • @richb.4374
    @richb.4374 2 года назад

    I had a 73 Firebird Formula 400 that I transplanted a built 455 Pontiac big block into in my younger days. That car was a blast to drive and I had a ton of fun with it. I wish I could fine another one that didn't cost as much as a house to buy.

  • @colibri1
    @colibri1 2 года назад +2

    I loved those honeycomb wheel covers too in the seventies, and I love them even more now after learning that they were inspired by the geodesic dome. Those geodesic domes were so popular during the sixties and early seventies.

  • @rudolphguarnacci197
    @rudolphguarnacci197 2 года назад +3

    Honeycombs are fantastic.

  • @dalehampton4554
    @dalehampton4554 2 года назад

    My ‘76 Trans Am had the gold honeycomb wheels. Ah, the memories!

  • @DSP1968
    @DSP1968 2 года назад +2

    Another very interesting design history, Adam. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  • @ronofficial5958
    @ronofficial5958 2 года назад +2

    Olds Rally Wheels were my favs!

  • @richroj
    @richroj 2 года назад +1

    I love that bodystyle Adam. the wheels are very nice✌

  • @christopherkraft1327
    @christopherkraft1327 2 года назад +4

    Yes Adam, the honeycomb wheels are very cool indeed!! I also really like the dual hood scoops that were available on the Formula Firebird!! Thanks for sharing another exciting video!!! 👍👍

  • @MasterMalrubius
    @MasterMalrubius 2 года назад

    Yeah. A really unique and attractive design. A true “looked fast” even when standing still.

  • @ddellwo
    @ddellwo 2 года назад +4

    The Gen 2 GM pony cars were not only attractive, but fun to drive for the era! As with many GM vehicles during that time, they became a bit overladen with stick-on cladding in later model years, but the basic iconic shape was still there if you squinted your eyes!

  • @kingjames1586
    @kingjames1586 5 месяцев назад

    70 through 73 is the best looking firebird of all time 👍

  • @stephendavidbailey2743
    @stephendavidbailey2743 2 года назад

    I bet a lot of folks at GM today wish they had some Pontiac excitement. That Formula in the thumbnail looks fabulous.

  • @billiebobbienorton2556
    @billiebobbienorton2556 2 года назад

    Thanks. Loved the 2nd gen Firebird. The best!

  • @DanEBoyd
    @DanEBoyd 2 года назад +1

    Adam, could you please do a feature on the Pontiac 8 lug wheels - along with their requisite brake drums?
    I'm sure that plenty of viewers will be surprised to see that there was such a thing!

  • @sasz2107
    @sasz2107 2 года назад

    I don't think there is anything not to like about these cars. We're talking about wheels here - but these cars really hit the mark. It's amazing they lasted from 1970 all the way until 1981. The 70 - 73 body style came out the best.

  • @ErikDB6
    @ErikDB6 2 года назад +4

    These are my second favourite Pontiac wheels. They are only beat by the WS6, 8 inch wide aluminum Snowflake wheel in the 1978-1982 Trans am, and rarely, Formula. Lighter and stronger then the honeycomb, in the flesh the beautiful bare aluminum made them even more beautiful. Plus, they have the benefit of not flexing as much as a steel wheel.

    • @DanEBoyd
      @DanEBoyd 2 года назад +1

      Yeah, the WS6 is the better looking snowflake, with its deeper 'dish' and polished rim lip.

    • @petermandics1517
      @petermandics1517 2 года назад +1

      Agreed but they didn't seem much lighter than the standard Rallye II's..if that really matters at this point.

  • @davebarron5939
    @davebarron5939 2 года назад +2

    Speaking for myself, you CAN NOT make a deep enough dive into the details of these cars. (all gens for that matter) I will sop it up like gravy on my plate after a wonderful home cooked meal. Thanks!

  • @fireflymedic10
    @fireflymedic10 2 года назад +1

    I loved the "shacker" hood scoop alot of Trans ams had.

  • @porcupinecone7188
    @porcupinecone7188 2 года назад +1

    Back in the late 80s I sought Honeycomb wheels. In a local junkyard I found several 14" ones and set them aside. Then at the Summer Carlisle (back when there was a general summer swap meet) I found 4 15" Honeycombs with trim rings and 1972+ style center caps. The wheels needed cosmetic restoration but the rings and caps were good. I think I paid $125 for the 4. Those days are gone.
    These wheels look great but are heavy.

  • @secretsquirrel4101
    @secretsquirrel4101 2 года назад +1

    I never knew the hottest looking wheels ever weren't solid cast aluminum! Retrofitted some funny polycast 70's T-Bird wheels on my 78' Ranchero. They really add to the starship like look of the vehicle. I thought they too were of a cast design until I pinched them!

  • @OLDS98
    @OLDS98 2 года назад +1

    I remember those wheels. Pontiac always did interesting wheels. I remember the wheels being on Grand Prix and Grand Am in the early 1970's. I remember the later honeycomb wheels 1977 they used on Trans Am as you said and Pontiac Bonneville and Grand Prix and many others. They changed again in the 1980's to another design I think they called turbine aluminum wheel. I remember Grand Prix and Parisienne using that one. Thank you for sharing. As many others have said they were used on Holden too.

  • @calbob750
    @calbob750 2 года назад

    The artwork in sales brochures of the day helped make the sale.

  • @Bruningable
    @Bruningable 2 года назад +3

    The Formula 400 hood was the coolest hood ever designed.

  • @howardwilley7923
    @howardwilley7923 2 года назад

    The early 70’s Oldsmobiles had a poly cast version that was similar to this. In the late 80’s I worked with a young lady that had a pristine 1971 or 72 Delta 88 2-door hardtop with these wheels. Very nice looking wheel.

  • @rubyred93chev
    @rubyred93chev 2 года назад +7

    _Interesting and cool that you also showed the rear vents (related to functionality) on a 1963 Corvette. Hope in a future video you'll tie in the fact that in 1964 and 1965 on the C2 Corvette coupe that of those two vents, the driver's side was indeed functional. Oh, and the reasoning behind those hood vents being sheerly cosmetic was due to the fact that the original design would have gotten the engine compartment incredibly wet. I guess it's much like Pontiacs making a wheel option that was really sharp (yet not entirely functional). To me those honeycomb wheels look even better in person, which set off the T/As. and Firebirds from other cars of the era._

  • @davidp2888
    @davidp2888 2 года назад +1

    I had a ‘73 Firebird. I’d love to see more content on this amazing car.

  • @audieconrad8995
    @audieconrad8995 2 года назад +2

    I still get mad about what happened to Pontiac every time the name gets brought up. Gr8 feature here!👍

    • @CJColvin
      @CJColvin 2 года назад

      Same here and you can thank China that loves Buicks to death.

  • @P.Galore
    @P.Galore 2 года назад +1

    I lusted after the 1970-72 Firebirds as a teenager, but turned away after they added the slope nose and bigger bumpers.

  • @fourdoorglory
    @fourdoorglory 2 года назад

    Those wheels are awesome!

  • @terry-zi7eh
    @terry-zi7eh 2 года назад

    I recall Car and Driver’s preview of the 71 GTO saying that “it received a new front bumper treatment that it didn’t need along with new wheels that it did.” The Rally II wheels were new in 67 but getting long in the tooth so the honeycombs were introduced on the 71 GTO and T/A

  • @muthrfuqrjonz3530
    @muthrfuqrjonz3530 2 года назад

    John Delorean ☝️My favorite car designer to ever live !!

  • @okhamilton2982
    @okhamilton2982 2 года назад +1

    The 1975 Chrysler Cordoba also offered a poly cast wheel option. It had a finned turbine design but had no cooling holes at all. The fins were actually flexible. The option was probably dropped because Chrysler also adopted a true solid aluminum wheel option.

  • @Scalihoo
    @Scalihoo 2 года назад +2

    Baseball, Hotdogs, Apple Pie & Pontiacs ☺️

  • @rjbiker66
    @rjbiker66 2 года назад +1

    GM Holden used those honeycomb wheels on the local Monaro LE

  • @agostinodibella9939
    @agostinodibella9939 2 года назад

    I didn’t know those honeycomb wheels were made that way. I always liked the styled steel wheels my ‘85 Monte Carlo SS came with.

  • @thevisorsusa
    @thevisorsusa 2 года назад +1

    My brother in law had honeycombs on his
    1971 GTO

  • @timbullough3513
    @timbullough3513 2 года назад

    Never meet your heros comes to mind. Loved the honeycomb Firebirds back in the day. Never knew they were such a 'compromise'. Gold BBS Bilstein Trans Am from 80s is almost as iconic.

  • @fhwolthuis
    @fhwolthuis 2 года назад +1

    Great stuff, Adam, love these detailed videos 👍🏻

  • @jamesgallman5677
    @jamesgallman5677 2 года назад

    ..I didn’t know that about those wheels- thank you!

  • @markbehr88
    @markbehr88 2 года назад +2

    Regardless, they are a super looking wheel. I think GM should do a modern version on one of their cars.

  • @turdferguson4124
    @turdferguson4124 2 года назад +2

    Those early second generation Firebirds were beautifully designed, and in my opinion are very desirable with the 455 Pontiac engine. But I’ve always felt that the interiors of the second generation F bodies bore the scars of the full wrath of the bean counters. I’ll be interested to see an upcoming video on the interior of those cars and your thoughts, Adam.

  • @davidgalinat4257
    @davidgalinat4257 2 года назад +1

    You can now get a 17" all aluminum version of the Pontiac honeycomb wheel from Year One, fulfilling the original designer's intent.

  • @AlexanderWaylon
    @AlexanderWaylon 2 года назад

    I have encountered the plastic coated wheels on a 1972 Delta 88 Royale convertible. Very interesting wheel.

  • @CJColvin
    @CJColvin 2 года назад

    Great video as always Adam.

  • @joemazzola7387
    @joemazzola7387 2 года назад +1

    The firebird/ trans am just did the same basic body shell so much better
    There is so much detail in it
    Look at the parking lights : they're down low but they have chrome cross hairs on them

  • @jeffstonecipher1594
    @jeffstonecipher1594 2 года назад

    These were such a cool wheel design that the re-imagined "Camaro" Trans-am's of late also feature an updated version of this honeycomb style, cartoonishly big in comparison to the old 15s but they still look cool....

  • @maryrafuse3851
    @maryrafuse3851 2 года назад

    A doctor in my hometown owned one of these. Sadly he lost his life in a hunting accident before he could enjoy it. The family did keep the car and I remember it as a real beauty. The front clip was superior to other later firebirds. Truly a dream car and sad that GM got rid of its best division for cool cars. My opinion only.

  • @johnringel9892
    @johnringel9892 2 года назад

    The honeycomb wheels were absolutely beautiful. It is a shame designer Bill Porter did not get his way. The honeycomb wheels as manufactured in poly cast were HEAVY. The 72 Firebird was my favorite as the honeycomb design was also picked up in the grille pattern. Fantastic cars.

  • @toronado455
    @toronado455 2 года назад +2

    thanks!✅

  • @062241kdp
    @062241kdp Год назад

    Nice job and subject. Thanks

  • @troybarton4317
    @troybarton4317 2 года назад

    I recall the first time I saw the honeycomb wheel on a Firebird I was on a Cub Scout trip to Washington DC yes I stuck in my mind it was that cool

  • @christopherbero3388
    @christopherbero3388 Год назад

    Great vid! You could do an entire series on fake automotive stylistic features. Loved this one!

  • @ellisonhamilton3322
    @ellisonhamilton3322 2 года назад

    This makes mr remember two years ago when my next door neighbor put his set of original 71 Pontiac honeycomb wheels out in his garage sale. They were in beautiful condition too. I came home from work to see a guy loading them into his pickup. I wouldn't have usually asked what he sold them for, but couldn't resist.
    $40. I cringed when he told me.
    I'm sure the guy who got them was whistling all the way home.

  • @rogerhinman5427
    @rogerhinman5427 2 года назад +4

    The Firebirds were the best-looking GM Pony Cars.

    • @porcupinecone7188
      @porcupinecone7188 2 года назад +4

      Pontiac's Firebird design language outclassed the Camaro design language in the second generation

    • @CJColvin
      @CJColvin 2 года назад +1

      They sure were brother

  • @michaelatkins9780
    @michaelatkins9780 2 года назад +1

    Good story. Loved the 73 SD. I hope that helps your Al Gore rythyms.

  • @MrModelworx
    @MrModelworx 2 года назад

    Well I've learnt something today, I did not know that was a plastic steel mix wheel! Excellent and Informative video Adam as always.

  • @rockford8915
    @rockford8915 2 года назад

    Neighbor down the street had a 1973 Grand Prix with the honeycomb wheels, in the 1970's I remember the car because I always thought the wheels looked cool!!

  • @tarkus522
    @tarkus522 2 года назад

    Another great video! However I always preferred the Rally II wheels

  • @darrellsaunders4267
    @darrellsaunders4267 2 года назад

    Rally 2's are my favorite.

  • @terrymertz1923
    @terrymertz1923 2 года назад

    I had a 77 tbird with plastic moulded wheels. They looked really good. imo

  • @MrWill73
    @MrWill73 2 года назад

    I love this video! I have owned 12 Trans Ams, Formulas and Firebirds. My favorite was a ‘73 Trans Am 455 4-speed with those Honeycomb wheels. They were very heavy and a very bad execution. The Snowflakes were such an improvement. I always wondered why the honeycomb wheels were even produced with that flexible cap that was almost impossible to restore. Please make more videos on the 2nd and 3rd Generation TAs. They are great cars with a lot of potential with just a few upgrades but we’re just choked by low compression and emissions control. I did have a ‘78 Trans Am with 20k original miles that came out of a museum with Pontiac 400 auto. It wasn’t the tire burner like the ‘73 but was a great highway car, cruiser and handled very well for its time. Of course it is a beautiful car!👍👍👍

  • @dinsdaleseven1627
    @dinsdaleseven1627 2 года назад

    I restored several of these wheels and they are made of a very tough material. Unless they were impacted by something, the rubber deteriorated very little over time. Cuts and gouges could be fixed with the same material used on today's flexible bumpers. When manufactured, the rubber was molded right onto the steal wheel. You could see uneven extra material on the backside that wrapped around the openings.

  • @crazycoffee
    @crazycoffee 2 года назад +1

    3:29 That red Firebird looks exactly like the photos of my dad's old 74 SD455. He regrets selling it for 500 dollars in the late 80s.

  • @TheBandit7613
    @TheBandit7613 2 года назад +1

    The wheels feel more like rubber than plastic.
    You can grab it with your fingers and kind of move it around a little bit. it was quite flexible. and it was somehow bound to the steel wheel
    I still like the later deep dish honeycomb alloy wheels used on the trans and with four wheel disc brakes

  • @Low760
    @Low760 2 года назад

    They looked very good ok the Holden Monaro too in Australia

  • @petermandics1517
    @petermandics1517 2 года назад

    Outstanding Adam. Thank you for sharing this terrific perspective of the original design behind the Honeycomb wheel and the rational behind the final product. Of course I look forward to your thoughts on the Snowflake wheels. I had a set (17"x8") and you know, they were no lighter than the stock Rallye II's.

  • @garagedweller7159
    @garagedweller7159 2 года назад

    Hi Adam, So glad to hear you will be doing another video showcasing the Firebirds .I have always thought the first generation Firebird was the best looking Firebird.
    I own a 1967 Firebird 400 /4 speed Ram air car that I bought from the original owner 30 years ago,that currently has 39,000 miles. Would love to see an all Firebird video that included some first Generation history.Including some of the rare high HP production numbers.Thanks for the content I really enjoy your channel.

    • @Primus54
      @Primus54 2 года назад +2

      You should reach out to Adam via email. Perhaps this summer you could meet to show your ‘67 off! 👍

  • @odfarmboy
    @odfarmboy 2 года назад

    I admired those beautiful honeycombs and had no idea till now they were mostly comprised of "rubber". I am considering buying a C5 vette, and would love to see some of your knowledge about the car.

  • @nsidor1234
    @nsidor1234 2 года назад +1

    Pontiacs advertising art was a cut above and always made the cars look a little longer lower and wider than they really were.

  • @johnkuhn7835
    @johnkuhn7835 2 года назад

    Very interesting 🤔 My 79 Thunderbird is equipped with the “styled road wheels” option and is a polycast wheel also

  • @jbrou123
    @jbrou123 2 года назад +2

    I DO enjoy these quick looks at small details that made classics great, and in some cases not so great. Was the honeycomb molded directly onto the steel wheel, or can it be removed for restoration?

  • @sehismith
    @sehismith 2 года назад

    My 1974 Grand Am had Honeycomb wheels.

  • @ab348
    @ab348 2 года назад +1

    Oldsmobile also had a polycast wheel, the SS IV (SS4) with a 5x5" bolt pattern used on the big cars like your '75 Delta 88. Seemed sort of an odd thing for them to do on a decidedly non-sporty car.

  • @fourdoorglory
    @fourdoorglory 2 года назад

    I assume you wrote a script for the narration. Smooth, clean, informative, well constructed. If you didn’t script it out it’s even more impressive. Another great presentation with nice editing and pictures to help guide us through.

    • @RareClassicCars
      @RareClassicCars  2 года назад +3

      No script beyond some bullets I think of beforehand.

  • @Loonytunes1961
    @Loonytunes1961 2 года назад +1

    My favorite all time muscle💪 car is the 1970& a half Camaro Z-28 w/the split front bumper this one also came stock with a 4 speed manual 396big block

    • @DanEBoyd
      @DanEBoyd 2 года назад +1

      Those had a wheel which I consider similar: The five spoke SS wheels on the Z28 and Chevelle SS. It also had that same 'inset' trim ring, or at least a similar one. Those wheels were also used on the '78 Z28.

  • @KenanTurkiye
    @KenanTurkiye 2 года назад +1

    Earthly 'life' is just an illusion 5:26 :)

  • @jbrou123
    @jbrou123 2 года назад

    Man, my eyes are playing tricks on me. At first glance of the graphics in the background at 2:10, I thought it was a study of the aerodynamics of a snail.

  • @errorsofmodernism9715
    @errorsofmodernism9715 2 года назад

    My favorite wheel of the time period were the Black Torq Thrust by American Racing, The '68 Bullitt Mustang was shod with these

  • @Henry_Jones
    @Henry_Jones 2 года назад +1

    Wheels from all the gm divisions from this era were beautiful. Donno why they switched to boring steelies in the 80s. Oh yea I do. Save $$$

  • @tomtheplummer7322
    @tomtheplummer7322 2 года назад +1

    Keeping those wheels clean was a lot of work. OCD was the best cleaner.

  • @Henry_Jones
    @Henry_Jones 2 года назад +1

    I wish manufactuters would go back to 15" or 16" wheels with big sidewall tires rather than 19"+ wheels with low profiles that ruin the ride and leave you prone to flats. My fav modern wheel is the 19" 5 spoke accord sport wheels from 2016-2017 but I wont get them for my 2015 accord for the very reason mentioned above.

  • @courtneypuzzo2502
    @courtneypuzzo2502 2 года назад +1

    my dad's older sister learned to drive in a used 70 or 71 Trans Am she turned 16 in 1972 while my dad and his twin sister learned to drive in a 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass S. when I would've learned to drive in 2001 it would've been either in a 1990 Toyota Camry or a 1999 Dodge can't remember the name of the model at the moment I also would've wanted to learn to drive a manual as both of those were Autos my maternal grandmother who the Camry belonged to never learned to drive a manual dad taught mom in his 1979 Toyota Corolla Station Wagon when she bought a used 1982 Ford Mustang GT from a family friend for her 20th birthday in Sept 1982