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#1
07-12-2019, 11:43 AM
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Formula Wheel birth
For those of you who do not know the entire story about the birth of the formula wheel, a GP buddy of mine, Ken Godfrey knew Ben Harrison and spoke to him about his. Check out the story... This story probably happened in 2013 or so; before Ben passed away in 2014. Ben was one of the 2019 nominees for the Pontiac Hall of Fame but did not get in this year.
Ben Harrison (creator of the 1969 Grand Prix) gave a presentation on the F-Body at our Motor City Chapter-POCI meeting last week. He bought one of the first Firebird 400’s in 1967. He loved the car, but hated the steering wheel, which wasn’t bad be begin with, but was more suited to a pick-up truck. So, he went shopping. He found this Momo “Formula One” aftermarket wheel at Gratiot Auto Supply or someplace, and made up a custom woodgrain center cap for it. He put it on his F-Bird, and it stayed on there as long as he owned the car. John DeLorean liked the wheel so much, he had Jack Humbert’s people in the PMD Styling Studio create their own version, and called it the “Formula”. This is also where the name of the Firebird models Formula 400 and Formula 350 came from. That was Ben’s idea. The Formula wheel became available at the very end of the 1969 model year, on Trans Am’s only. Starting in 1970, it was available on all F and G bodies. It was still an option on F-Birds in the late 70’s. When Ben eventually sold the car, he kept the wheel. He still has that very same wheel, and he brought it with him last Thursday. Being Be is in Pontiac Heaven now, I wonder where this wheel is... hopefully in the Pontiac Museum with Tim Dye... Gp Mike |
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#2
07-12-2019, 11:58 AM
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My POCI dues will buy it for Tim Dye.
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#3
07-12-2019, 01:08 PM
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Cool story on my favorite steering wheel. I have installed them three times on birds that didn't have them, so they are "mandatory" for me. I am prepping one to put on my 72 now. I have a question for experts: Did 69 TA's Formula wheel option come with one like pictured? With extra hole on bottom spoke? Or did they have later TA style, with symmetrical hole design?
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72 Bird |
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#4
07-12-2019, 01:12 PM
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That wheel was strictly a prototype because it was an aftermarket from back then, so the Formula wheels on the T/A should be like the current ones... Anyone else like to confirm..?
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#5
07-12-2019, 02:42 PM
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Quote:
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"Those poor souls have made the fatal mistake of surrounding us. Now we can fire in any direction" 1970 Trans Am RAIII 4 speed 1971 Trans Am 5.3 LM7 1977 Trans Am W72 Y82 1987 Grand National |
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#6
07-12-2019, 03:41 PM
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Interesting story. I have an old Momo wheel hanging on the wall in my garage, I'll have to look at it again...I think it may be the same model.
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#7
07-12-2019, 05:04 PM
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Quote:
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72 Bird |
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#8
07-12-2019, 09:43 PM
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Read the old info on that wheel and always wanted one for a 69 Bird or 70 Judge. Never gots.
Factory wood wheel with vinyl caps were all i had (beyond pulling the 68 STD heavy wheel. Standard wheel in 70 Sandlewood interior is stunning. Got a 67-68 wood wheel in me 68 and its definitely truck class diameter. Mike, Great history lesson in your story. HIS |
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#9
07-20-2019, 02:41 AM
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Great info! The Momo Prototipo also appeared in the first TA ad quite clearly. Still available new, but not identical I believe. Don't forget they were available in 70 A bodies as well.
. They also did another copy of the Formula wheel in Australia as the Holden GTS wheel. |
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#10
07-20-2019, 10:14 AM
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The 1977 Ventura brochure lists the formula wheel as an option. Optional on the 1977 Phoenix according to its brochure.
Last edited by Mr6x; 07-20-2019 at 10:20 AM. |
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#11
07-20-2019, 01:24 PM
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Interesting that he didn't have someone turn that center cap out of metal. Wood much easier to work with of course.
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#12
07-20-2019, 04:07 PM
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Cool story and great info.
And.... I voted for Ben. Story to hear he passed on, and didn't make it into the Hall of Fame. He should have been voted in a long time ago.
__________________
 Gary Get in, ShuT Up, Hang On! Member of the Baltimore Built Brotherhood MY GTO built 4th Week of March 1966 "Crusin' Is Not A Crime" Keep yer stick on the ice. |
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