Topic: Turbines vs. honeycombs...decisions, decisions

[Tinman5]

Hey, everyone...

A few years back, I temporarily retired the original gold honeycombs on my 1976 50th Anniversary T/A.  They're in fine shape physically, just in need of a restoration from too many years of road rash causing the paint adhesion to fail.  As I was having difficulty finding the time to do the restoration myself and no luck finding someone I would trust to do it, I purchased a set of turbine wheels and had them refinished in gold so I could get the car back on the road.

The more I drive the car, the more I like the look of the turbines.  I'm pretty sure they are significantly lighter and (although it may just be my imagination or wishful thinking) seem to help improve the handling.  The car has 79K original miles and is pretty unmolested and original...it was restored (read:  painted and new decals) once in 1992 prior to me purchasing the car.  My plan is to take it on the Bandit Run II and then have a professional restoration done upon my return.

So here are one "before" and three "after" photographs (yeah, I'm pretty lousy with a camera).  I'm taking a straw poll:  After the restoration, should I keep the turbines for daily driving and just save the honeycombs for those car events when originality is paramount?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Puzzled in Plano (Tinman 5)

BEFORE:



AFTER:

[imaloser]

I actually do like the turbines on it but would put the honeycomb on for shows. 

[RENOVATIONS]

I agree that the turbo's look good on the car but I don't think any rim is gonna' contribute to the overall vintage appeal of that bird like the honeycombs do...they have an awesome look to them.

[folzinal]

Personally I think any 2nd gen TA wheels look good on any 2nd gen provided they compliment the rest of the car.  I too think they look nice and as long as you have the honeycombs to put it back, do what you like - it's your car.  Although...the honeycomb wheels seem to complete the LE package.  Did that help

[Tinman5]

Hmmm...so that's a quick "yes" vote from Mississippi (thanks, CC!) and I'll put Indiana and Ohio down as "undecideds".  How about the other forty-seven states?

Tinman5

[turbota400]

I like the idea of running the turbines for cruising and using the honeycombs for shows.  Nice looking car by the way.

[bobspacin80ta]

I'll agree with the rest looks good either way ,use the honeys for shows.

[rkellerjr]

Someone make this into a thread with the poll at the top for Tinman5.

My vote, honeycombs, the turbines don't fit the era in my view.  Sell the turbines and just use the honeycombs.

[eroc022]

Someone make this into a thread with the poll at the top for Tinman5.

My vote, honeycombs, the turbines don't fit the era in my view.  Sell the turbines and just use the honeycombs.

ditto that......the honeycombs are much harder to come by, id keep them on

[brian c]

I'd vote for the Honeycombs - the turbines just don't seem to fit the era on this particular car. The turbines fit the look of the 79 & up better...

[Gold78Spc]

I am surprised Hammer hasn't weighed in on this one.  Oh wait..... there he is.... comatose on the floor... seems the turbines gave him a heart attack or something.   Anyways (I don't think it's that serious)  I'm not a big fan of the turbine rims, I like the honeycombs much better.

[Rick]

Oh geeze...that last pic...TAs and Dr. Pepper...where's Jeri?

Anyway, while the turbines are done nicely, they really don't fit with that year car like the honeycombs do.  But that wasn't your question -- I think you know that already -- your question was "do I use the turbines for getting around and save the honeycombs for events?".  I'd say yes to that -- because you don't want the honeycombs getting beaten up.

But if you're thinking that way, you'll probably evolve to the point where you'd rather have the honeycombs on it all the time because if you have it restored my *guess* is that you'll begin to treat the entire car the way you think of the honeycombs now -- don't wanna see 'em get beat up.

[Tinman5]

Oh geeze...that last pic...TAs and Dr. Pepper...where's Jeri?

Anyway, while the turbines are done nicely, they really don't fit with that year car like the honeycombs do.  But that wasn't your question -- I think you know that already -- your question was "do I use the turbines for getting around and save the honeycombs for events?".  I'd say yes to that -- because you don't want the honeycombs getting beaten up.

But if you're thinking that way, you'll probably evolve to the point where you'd rather have the honeycombs on it all the time because if you have it restored my *guess* is that you'll begin to treat the entire car the way you think of the honeycombs now -- don't wanna see 'em get beat up.

Rick--

Yeah, you're reading my mind.  I still see honeycombs out there for sale, but good quality ones are getting hard to find.  Since the honeycombs I have are in good physical condition (just look like they have a bad sunburn from the peeling paint), I'm trying to err on the side of caution to protect them as much as possible.

I'm facing the classic dilema most of us face at one point or another:  Do I restore the car to concours level quality so it becomes a museum show piece I'm hesitant to drive or do I just live with flaws, retire the honeycombs for special duty, and continue to drive the car whenever and wherever possible?

Interesting side note, the turbines do show nicer "in person" than in the photographs and the vast majority of people inclusive of those in the local Pontiac clubs down here like the look.  I consider myself leaning more towards the "keep it original--purest" perspective, but the turbines have grown on me for daily use.  Just wanted to open it up to a wider audience to get a concensus.   

Tinman5

[w72transamowner]

I'm going against the wave here.  I think the picture with the turbine wheels looks awesome, and that's the way I'd drive it if it was my car, but would desire to go back to the honey combs for show purposes.

I tend to agree with you that the car may seem to handle somewhat better because the honey comb is know to be a heavy wheel, compared to the later aluminum wheels.

[logikfive]

I prefer the Honeycomb over the turbines, but I prefer the Rally II's over the Honeycombs.