Author Topic: Desparately Needed ! ! ! (Read 10624 times)

Hitman · « **on:** January 15, 2007, 12:16:53 AM »

ok guys, I have been looking around on Ebay for a while and have not had too much luck (not that I have alot of time to be searching on Ebay). Anyway, I need one early 1978 15x8 Snowflake like on the Y88 Gold Special Edition car. I just need one to make a complete set.

The other thing I need in a bad way is a set of 10th Anniversary T-tops in perfect condition. No scratches, no wear makrs on the tint... I need them in perfect shape.

Can anyone help me out here?

Rick · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:27:30 AM »

Brett, I've seen the difference before between the early and later 15 X 8 snowflakes, but if you've got a pic of each I'll bet it would help.

Hitman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2007, 12:51:01 AM »

This is what I need:

This is what I don't need:

Tin Indians Rule · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2007, 03:20:06 AM »

Brett, theres a guy in a little pissy town in North Carolina called Valdese. I drove up there from Spartanburg to look at two of his cars and a whole bunch of parts that he had. He was doing a super nice job rebuilding a 78 Y88. On our tour I noticed he had 1 and 1/2 sets of these wheels. I cant attest to their mintness but everything this guy had was superb. He sets up in Charlotte, he is a really big guy, builds a lot off 455's and makes special windage trays by hand. He drives a red late 80's 4x4 shortbed chevy pickup, he also is restoring a friends 76 Trans am. He owns a RED 78 TA that has a 73 nose and has been built to the hilt for a drag car. his shop has a concrete floor but the buidling itself is nothing more than aluminum awings that he has boxed in really nicely and put in roll up doors. His mobile home sits 100 yards or so in front of his shop. He has several parts car type Trans am's including a Rare white 70 column shift TA that he keeps behind his building. he also sells stuff on Ebay. Maybe this will shake his name out from somebody else. I don't have it here in Maryland with me but, call my cell Wednesday afternoon and I'll be able to grab it outta my garage down in South Carolina. Soory for the long post but I thought it may ring a bell to someone. If it come to mind I'll post back.

midyear · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2007, 11:02:07 AM »

Brett,

I have some single 78 gold wheels.

Dennis

eroc022 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:11:25 PM »

hey ive been on the lookout for the tops FOREVER!!!! but ill make some phone calls and see whats up.....you might have to but a full anniv car for just the tops..... :lol: :lol: also ive been talking to a few people saying they know how to etch the glass that way..... :wink:

Hitman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:39:15 PM »

I will pay good money for the t-tops. How much you want for the wheel Midyear?

moonrider1 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2007, 09:11:57 PM »

I have some silver t-tops that I'd be willing to part with but I'm not sure they are in the condition you're looking for. These have some light suface scratches on them and the anodized surfaces have been painted brown for some reason. Also they have some wear spots in the corners where the weatherstrip has worn through the silver.

Anyway here are some pics if anyone is interested.

I'd be willing to trade these toward some parts for my 79 10th TA if anyone is willing.

Hitman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2007, 10:10:10 PM »

Thanks for the photos, but yes, I am looking for a MINT set.

Eagle 1 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2007, 10:15:29 PM »

Are the early 78 rims with the 1/4 spokes more rare or just different?
Just curious because thats what my car came with.

Hitman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2007, 10:37:01 AM »

well, they only used them from the begining production year of 1978 to about may of 1978. The other snowflakes were used from about May of 1978 through about 1981, so yes, they are more rare or harder to find, but that doesn't nesseccarily make them more valuable.

Tin Indians Rule · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2007, 10:40:11 AM »

Quote from: "Hitman"

well, they only used them from the begining production year of 1978 to about may of 1978. The other snowflakes were used from about May of 1978 through about 1981, so yes, they are more rare or harder to find, but that doesn't nesseccarily make them more valuable.

Isn't being rare, desirable and hard to find usually what drives value?

Not trying to jack up a price for you but was wondering if rare and hard to find didn't increase value, what does?

Hitman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2007, 10:55:50 AM »

Yes, Tin, I get your point... but I have a rare Ford Pinto in my back yard.... does that mean anyone wants it?

I guess what I am saying is that yes, some items that are arder to find are more valuable, but some mid-year changes may be rare, but maybe does not make them more valuable. In the 7 years that I have been restoring rims, only once have I ever seen a guy sell these for more money than any other snowflake out there in the 15x8 pattern. 98% of the time, I pay the same amount for this style rim as I do for the others.

Tin Indians Rule · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2007, 11:53:56 AM »

Quote from: "Hitman"

Yes, Tin, I get your point... but I have a rare Ford Pinto in my back yard.... does that mean anyone wants it?

I guess what I am saying is that yes, some items that are arder to find are more valuable, but some mid-year changes may be rare, but maybe does not make them more valuable. In the 7 years that I have been restoring rims, only once have I ever seen a guy sell these for more money than any other snowflake out there in the 15x8 pattern. 98% of the time, I pay the same amount for this style rim as I do for the others.

Hey Brett, I feel like an idiot, which is normal. I didn't read all the way up and I missed that it was a comparision of value between the two different sets of wheels. Considering that both sets are rare and desirable, I see the point that there would no increase in value between the two.

Sorry :oops:

I was just trying to get a free post :shock: or two! :lol:

ta78w72 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2007, 10:22:51 PM »

Brett,
GM sports salvage in San Jose had a couple of those wheels. I didn't realize the newer style was available in May of 1978. How did you determine that? I was looking at Joe Bays site and he said he has seen no evidence of changing the gold wheel in 1978. The gray WS6 wheels had machined spokes and edges. His site does show a 1978 brochure with the machined gold 15X8 wheels. I actually like the machined wheels better, that's why I put them on my car and not the all gold wheels.

http://www.firebirdtransamparts.com/bandit/myth.htm