Wheel design has come a long way since Pontiac instructed its factory assembly-line workers to install 14x6-inch (15x6 shown here) steel wheels on many of the Division’s vehicles. Today, Pontiac owners can choose from a myriad of wheels that put an emphasis on performance, style, and strength, as well as some that accurately re-create popular OE wheels of the past, and others that reinterpret Pontiac’s most-famous wheel designs for classic and late-model fitments.
For 2012, here are some of the hottest new wheels for Pontiac performance.
Description: U.S. Mag Wheels introduces the latest in vintage Pontiac styling, the Bandit. Shown here with a machined face and matte gunmetal/clear- powdercoat finish, the Bandit is available in any custom finish and is made to order for any vehicle specifications. The versatility of the Bandit caters to classic and late-model Pontiacs.
Features: All U.S. Mag wheels are 100% American made in the company’s Southern California facility. Constructed from 6061 T6 forged aluminum, the Bandit is built to order in two-piece welded, and three-piece bolted versions to accommodate extreme widths.
Fitment: 15- to 22-inch diameters with widths ranging from 4 to 15 inches; in any offset; available in 5x4.75 and 5x5 bolt patterns
Price: Starting at $500 (each)
Company Quote: “U.S. Mag Wheels are 100-percent custom-built with extreme care by enthusiasts for enthusiast, providing quality performance with custom style.”
Description: Reproduction Turbine (aka turbo) aluminum wheels for ’79-’81 SE, 10th Anniversary, NASCAR Pace Car, Indy Pace Car, and Turbo Trans Ams
Features: Made exclusively by OER, these wheels are authentic reproductions of the factory turbo wheels. Constructed from lightweight, durable aluminum, they are available in white, gold, or natural finish, and will accept original-style center caps and lug nuts.
Fitment: 15x8-inch with a 5x43⁄4-inch bolt pattern (These wheels will fit all First- and Second-Generation Firebirds and Trans Ams.)
Price: $198.95 (each)/ $716.99 (set of four)
Company Quote: “Increase the value and add timeless style to your restored or well-kept First or Second-Generation Trans Am or Firebird.”
Description: The Rocket Injector Series style wheels are designed to preserve the classic look and feel of the golden age of hot rods and musclecars, while still delivering maximum style, performance, and an affordable price. The Rocket Racing Wheels brand is committed to the production of precision-crafted, high-performance, and nostalgia-inspired alloy wheels. Each Rocket Wheel is designed and tested to meet or exceed US DOT requirements and SAE standards.
Features: All Rocket wheels are one-piece, A-356 cast-aluminum. For the Rocket Injector Series, choose from an as-cast finish, which is then media-blasted for a raw, gritty look, or go for the fully polished version. Both are a perfect complement to your classic Pontiac.
Fitment: 15x4.5, 15x8, and 15x10 (5x4¾ bolt-pattern); 2.25 to 4.5-inch backspacing (More sizes and fitments soon to come.)
Price: Starting at $180 (as-cast, each) / $190 (polished, each)
Company Quote: “We had an overwhelming number of musclecar enthusiasts urging us to craft a hardcore traditional musclecar wheel from the golden age of Detroit automotive performance. Our Rocket scientists accepted the challenge, and based on the response, we feel we hit the mark with the Rocket Injector Series.”