Wheels / Tires: after market wheels for 62 hawk

[Videoranger]

Has anyone tried 15X6 wheels with zero offset on a 62 Hawk with 4 wheel drums? This would be 1/8" to 1/4" less positive offset (less set in towards drums) than what I've heard some folks have on 15X6 wheels on these cars with 4 wheel drum brakes. I'm seeing a variety of 15X6 wheels available with zero offset that I like but don't know how they might fit with 205/70/15 or 205/75/15 radial tires.

[Mark Plucenik]

I just put 4 new Rocket Wheels on my 64 GT. It does have the factory disc brakes up front. I used Uniroyal Tiger paw 215/ 70 /R15 tires. Everything fit up fine. Rocket Wheel #

R23-566535 15x6"

[StudeRich]

I just put 4 new Rocket Wheels on my 64 GT. It does have the factory disc brakes up front. I used Uniroyal Tiger paw 215/ 70 /R15 tires. Everything fit up fine. Rocket Wheel #

R23-566535 15x6"

OK, 15X6, But WHAT was their Backset? Isn't it supposed to be around 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 Inches to clear Suspension, Tie Rods and Stabilizer Bar?

[Mark Plucenik]

Backset on these wheels is 3 1/2"

[GrumpyOne]

I was considering these for my '55 President sedan without disk brakes...

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...-BS,54996.html

[sweetolbob]

OK, 15X6, But WHAT was their Backset? Isn't it supposed to be around 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 Inches to clear Suspension, Tie Rods and Stabilizer Bar?

That's the right question. You can go through a lot of measuring but the best way I've found it to take your old wheel, mock up the new wheel/tire dimensions on it with cardboard and tape to see if there is sufficient clearance.

Generally the fronts will take 3 1/2" BS and the rears 4 1/2" but there can be differences with rim diameter and tire size.

Bob

[Mark Plucenik]

These are the wheels on my GT . R23-566535 15x6" Rocket racing . Directly after the install I had the front end aligned , no issues. Also, look up on the forum " rose mist GT". about 3 months ago. His photos show the wheels on his GT

[bensherb]

I don't think you'll have a problem with 6" zero offset wheels. I currently have 17" x 7 1/2" wheels with 3 1/4" backspace, (4 1/4" on fender/outside; 235-55-17 tires) on my '62 GT and they fit fine. There is more front fender clearance, about 1.5" than rear, around 3/4" , but as long as your rear spring and shackle bushings are good and tight , so the rear end doesn't wallow side to side it shouldn't be an issue. I previously had 15"x 6 1/2", 3 3/4" back space Ford wheels with 215-70-15 tires and they fit absolutely PERFECT! They are now on my dad's '53 coupe.

The 15's:

The 17's:

[Videoranger]

photoshop mock up of my 62 GT with Rocket Igniter 15X6 with 3.5" backspace. I really like the look and thinking they should work with 205/75/15 white walls.

[Videoranger]

Went to Rocket wheels web site and they have a car specific wheel visualizer. They actually have Studebaker listed as a choice and the 62 Hawk is the only Stude available for this wheel preview. How cool is that! I emailed their customer service to inquire about fitment for my Hawk and they confirmed the wheels would work. Of course I'll have to get the spinners.

[Andy R.]

The Real Rodders 7011 15x6 (photoshopped) are on my wish list...

I worry the next availability might be the last so will probably bite the bullet.

[Videoranger]

When you have a car that looks as good as yours, buy the baby some nice shoes! The wheels will still look nice long after the $$$ is gone. Plus you need holes in the wheels to cool the brakes. I do like the thin whites on the GT.
great wheel pics on this site:
https://line.17qq.com/articles/fbjdbiddz.html

[bensherb]

I do like the thin whites on the GT.

I agree!! It's too bad 17" tires don't come in white walls.

[Videoranger]

I was all set to go with white walls and then came this picture. I decided to go with the Rocket Igniter 15X6 with 215/70/15 Nexen N'Priz AH5 black wall tires. From the info I've gathered they should fit just right and look very cool

[bensherb]

In the two pics above the black walls look good on the black car; not so much on the champagne colored car. Car color makes a LOT of difference. Actually, all the trim pretty much disappears on the champagne car.