YearOne new Snowflake releases

[Wallington]

I'm not sure anyone has seen these, I just found out while checking some info for a different reply.

They have released a 17x9" version of the original 15x7" snowflake rim. And...a 15x8" version of it too. 

I always liked the 7" version with it's fancy multi-angled machined face. It just didn't give the tyre size options. This would have been a handy option many years ago, not sure now how many are opting for a non-original but stock sized rim. Looks good though. As usual, they require their acorn lugnuts rather than the stock type but at least now they offer one that looks stock, even the dipped centre.

Annoyingly, they are calling the new design the "Bandit Snowflake". I guess it's a catchy name and many would recognise it without seeing it. The photo of the 17x9 version still appears to be the 15x8 stock photo, not the car though. Of course, the car with the 15x8 version could just be a stock photo of any snowflake rim.

https://www.yearone.com/Product/wheels/bsfw158glds#prettyPhoto

https://www.yearone.com/Product/wheels/bsfw179glds#prettyPhoto

They are also claiming their latest 17x9 snowflake range as being a 'new 2nd version'. There was a second version 10 years ago where they changed backspacing and lugnuts. I'm not sure that would still be called new, otherwise this is a 'new 3rd version'. There's even an all black version that makes the spokes look longer than before. When going through their stock ads of different rims, there's a lot of copying of stock photos for different rims, and different photos for same rims. Different older castings featured in new ads.


https://www.yearone.com/Product/wheels/sfw179mbv2#prettyPhoto

https://www.yearone.com/Product/wheels/qj39bs

It's also a really terrible website to navigate. Photos constantly open and close that have clicked on or only hover over, and clicking back often reloads same page again and again.

[5th T/A]

This is the first I am seeing the black wheels. Personally, I like the brighter aluminum 15 X 8's that came on the WS6 cars, but that's me!

[b_hill_86]

Yea, the black ones aren’t really doing it for me however, the 15x8 “7” style aren’t too bad looking. Even the 17s aren’t

[stros]

I’ve got what was referred to as the 2nd version earlier.  Looks like they filled in the outer portion of the wheel that was clear before with gold recesses.  It does look more like the original but I do think I like my older version as the gold is not quite as overwhelming.

[stros]

Directly pasted the pic of the new 17x9 one here for reference.

[stros]

Here's the new 15x8 pasted directly.  I think I like the 15 inch version better for some odd reason.  Maybe it's the RWL tires.

[Wallington]

It says version 2, but looking at the spokes on the black one, it's different again and they never acknowledged the previous versions previously. And 10 years old isn't new so it's version 3, and half the ads that still mention new version 2 still show previous version.

With no outside lip, the 17" version of the 15x7" look larger than the 15x8" in 17".

[hakitup]

The 15x8s look great I wish they would do that with the honeycombs

Tom H

[TA301]

There was a time I liked the 16" GTA wheels and the Y1 17" wheels but now I have chosen to keep the original 1980-1981 Turbine wheels that was factory installed on my 1981 SE. Ultimately, when restoring a car, it has to be as original as possible. That is my opinion. I also like the white lettering available on 15 inch wheel tires. They look great and period correct. The only alteration I might make on the turbine wheels is to have them powder coated, black.

[firebirdparts]

I like it a lot.  I always thought the WS6 wheels objectively "look better" but on a 77 these would sure look right.

That's a good price for what it is.

[roadking77]

Agree completely with the last 2 posts. Im not crazy about aftermarket wheels but these are close enough to the original. I really like that they made the 8" without the outer lip. I have a set of '78 - 8" wheels because well, I like the 8" wheels. I have been thinking of late to put the 7" on for originality. Having both sets though makes it kind of hard to buy an aftermarket set just because.

[jonathonar89]

All the new options these days are great.  Great for upgrading performance and keep original look.  If it was in my budget, I would be chasing down the 19” wheels.  I like the 17” look but 19” has great tire choice available.

[N PRGRES]

I love the lower side wall tires and the protouring look but for driveability I prefer the 15s with the larger sidewall