Wheels / Tires: 17" torque thrust wheels on a '63 hawk

[TXmark]

has anyone out there did this how did they look?

[Mike Van Veghten]

Oh the horror...!?
Some have "done" this.. In my opinion...none look good at all. 16"'s are pushing it..

Mike

[PackardV8]

For me, the look depends as much on the choice of tire aspect ratio as the wheel diameter. The 17" tires are available from 35 to 70. JMHO, but older eyes like to look at older cars with higher aspect ratio tires. I'd think 17" torque thrust with say a 60-series tire would look OK to me. With the rubber band 35-series, not so much.

FWIW, one of our members, sbca96 put 17" Mustang Cobra wheels and tires on his Avanti and I thought the result worked.

jack vines

[TXmark]

[QUOTE=PackardV8;749922]For me, the look depends as much on the choice of tire aspect ratio as the wheel diameter. The 17" tires are available from 35 to 70. JMHO, but older eyes like to look at older cars with higher aspect ratio tires. I'd think 17" torque thrust with say a 60-series tire would look OK to me. With the rubber band 35-series, not so much.

FWIW, one of our members, sbca96 put 17" Mustang Cobra wheels and tires on his Avanti and I thought the result worked.



I would not have the diameter of the wheel tire setup to be much bigger than OE, I do not like the rubber band look on any car.

[Colgate Studebaker]

I would like to see a pic or two of the finished setup. I'd probably go with 60's on 17" rims. The rubberband look doesn't fit my tastes either. Bill

[Corley]

Typically, those low profile tires help handling, but hurt ride. I'd stick to something at least 60 or above on aspect ratio, just for ride. Remember, that Stude doens't have the double rubber isolation in the suspension that a modern car would have to absorb the road shocks. Looks, however, are totally subjective, and strictly in the eyes of the beholder.

17" wheels with a 60% aspect ratio tire, makes for a pretty darn big diameter!

Just one old man's opinion, nothing more...

[Dan White]

Hey has anyone done the deal with 22" wheels on a Stude! I see some of these in Chattanooga when I am there. Usually 70s/80s Cutlasses, Regals etc. Pretty weird look

[wittsend]

"Hey has anyone done the deal with 22" wheels on a Stude!"

Probably not since Studebaker made wooden wagons.

Tom

[StudeDave57]

Hey has anyone done the deal with 22" wheels on a Stude!

Not yet, but one day these 20s will likely have to go...



While I can find a local shop to deal with her split rims-
I'd worry on trips that take me very far from home.
I've seen a few Studes with 22.5s, so I might go that route.




StudeDave '57

[PackardV8]

FWIW, back in the day, I put thousands of miles on heavily loaded trucks with the same 20" split rims. There's no reason those won't take you anywhere and back as long as the wheels aren't rusty and the tires, tubes and flaps are still in good condition.

jack vines

[Warren Webb]

I am amazed when seeing cars on the side of the road with flat tires that are very often these "rubber band" types. So little sidewall for deflection giving a harsher ride & prone to tire/rim failure. They might look "cool" to some & that's their choice but the cost of replacement & all other factors, are not for me. JMHO.

[sbca96]

I am amazed when seeing cars on the side of the road with flat tires that are very often these "rubber band" types. So little sidewall for deflection giving a harsher ride & prone to tire/rim failure. They might look "cool" to some & that's their choice but the cost of replacement & all other factors, are not for me. JMHO.

When you consider that most cars since the late 80s have 50 series or lower profile tires
its a pretty good chance the car on the side of the road has them. That certainly doesn't
mean they are more "prone", it just means that by the sheer number of these cars on the
road the chance is higher.

Up to an 18 inch wheel is 'safe' from bending a rim on a pothole, that is with down to about
a 40 series tire. With a 35 series or lower, your chances go up.

18 inch is also nice on a Studebaker because it will clear the upper front zerk fitting. This
is the area that contacts first when trying to fit 8 inch wide or wider on the front end. I
find that my rim contacts the zerk right on the edge of the inside lip of the wheel. This is
with a 245/45R17 tire on a 17 x 8 inch wheel :





Cruisin by

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oclSWofe_fA

on the road (older video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mprq-V3RrE

Tom

[StudeDave57]

FWIW, back in the day, I put thousands of miles on heavily loaded trucks with the same 20" split rims. There's no reason those won't take you anywhere and back as long as the wheels aren't rusty and the tires, tubes and flaps are still in good condition. jack vines

I'll take that into account when the time comes. I suppose that if my spare is as good as the rest- blowouts shouldn't be an issue. For now she sits just fine. Once she's one the road I can decide what to do.





StudeDave '57

[Swifster]

I personally like 15" wheels. But your Avanti is the exception to the rule. Nice car Tom.

When you consider that most cars since the late 80s have 50 series or lower profile tires
its a pretty good chance the car on the side of the road has them. That certainly doesn't
mean they are more "prone", it just means that by the sheer number of these cars on the
road the chance is higher.

Up to an 18 inch wheel is 'safe' from bending a rim on a pothole, that is with down to about
a 40 series tire. With a 35 series or lower, your chances go up.

18 inch is also nice on a Studebaker because it will clear the upper front zerk fitting. This
is the area that contacts first when trying to fit 8 inch wide or wider on the front end. I
find that my rim contacts the zerk right on the edge of the inside lip of the wheel. This is
with a 245/45R17 tire on a 17 x 8 inch wheel :





Cruisin by

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oclSWofe_fA

on the road (older video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mprq-V3RrE

Tom

[Paul Keller]

Tom,
Hope to see the Avanti @ the Lompoc PD-SO show again.
Paul TK