17 x 7 wheels on my lark

[sbca96]

Sure looks like you will have major tire/fender rub if you hit a bump in a turn, I always advise
people when lowering a car to realize it effects drive ability. Looks great, but it sucks when
pieces of that rubber you paid good money for is flying off the edge of the tire. My Avanti is
lowered by age, any lower and the exhaust would not clear speed bumps.

I went with 17 x 8 on my Avanti back in 2006, and I can say the Board is much more lenient
these days, I recall getting emails from Members of this Forum on how I "ruined" the car with
the wheels. Words like "baby buggy" and some ethnic slurs were dealt. Funny how time has
softened the response. I also designed a modern disc brake setup that fills that wheel if its
something you want to also upgrade (I have one set left). My has Avanti graced the cover
of Avanti Magazine, so I guess I did something right.





Tom

[Xcalibur]

sbca96... imagine the response when I put 17"ers on my '63 Avanti in the early 90s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like I cared (they are still on it).

[Mikado282]

Just reinforces the old adage there is nothing new on the face of the earth. From large diameter skinny spoke wheels with skinny tires to start out the auto industry, to smaller diameter wider solid wheels with larger tire ratio, to even smaller diameter wheels(13-15") with even wider tires and aspec

[wittsend]

The trick it seems is to get a decent balance of how the wheel relates to the size of the wheel well opening. AND, how the tire relates to the wheel size. Modern tires that are sub 50 series (and preferably 60 series) take on a "forklift tire" appearance. Some cars pull the look off, but most older cars it does not seem to work well. I fall into the "55 - and up" crowd. For me 15" or 16" wheels and 60 series tires would be my preference. Still, I'd say that, "It's not something I would do, but..., even pushing the limit, it still came out pretty good."

[SweetSixtyn]

I liiiiiiike it!

[rusty65]

Man, you nailed the stance! And the wheel style looks too sweet. Nicely done!

TRUE DAT!........I mean, I agree!

[EssexExport]

One could always go with a low profile tire.

[4961Studebaker]

Looks good to me,

Hope your fender rub delima gets solved,

[Skybolt]

Yes light fender rubbing, I'm gonna slowly massage the metal open with a dowel and easy driving movements.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]34314[/ATTACH]

I'm wondering about your suspension and when do the tires rub. I had problems with rubbing on the rear and gouging on the front of my 59 Lark with 235x60x15's. With HD sway bars and more leafs in the rear it stopped. The front was taken care of with some Moog CC655 coils. I know you aren't in for a spring swap but if some thicker sway bars could help body roll, that is if that's where the rubbing happens.

Len.

[63 R2 Hawk]

I went with 245-60s on 16X8 wheels on my Hawk, the lower chord makes it handle more like a bias ply tire. I get an occasional slight rub on the right rear on hard right cornering (GT Hawks have the driveline set slightly off center to the right). They are a little smaller than the stock tire/wheel combo, but it puts plenty of tread on the ground and lowers the 3:31 pinion ratio slightly.

[jimmijim8]

Your car, wheels, and tastes are shared by the majority here but I don't care for the lowered car look on any make older car. I do somewhat appreciate the larger diameter wheels but think a wheel tire combo height should be close to the original tire and wheel combination diameter so the car doesn't look like something from Mattel. 16's with a proper sized tire/stock spring height so as not to cause fitment issues should be more appropriate. I won't modify a car to fit a set of wheels. MHO. Very nice car . cheers jimmijim

[SweetSixtyn]

I fall into the build it how YOU like it personality. It is YOUR car. If someone would want it different they can throw me a sh** ton of money to buy it and then change it. I got blasted at a car show once for modifying my 1961 Mini Cooper into a Pro Street hot rod with a full cage and Buick V6 (rear drive). After taking the tongue lashing I walked around the show to lick my wounds. I came across the guy who bashed me and my car. Wouldn't you know it, his car was a heavily modified race car restoration. I proceeded to bore the guy a new rectum for "desecrating a historical vehicle" as he was so kind to describe my modifications.

Everyone will have their preferences and opinions. Whether it's politics, religion, Chevy or Ford, restoration for modification. The problem starts, and my hearing ends, when someone tells me their way is the right way and my way is wrong. Sven, your car is bitchin'!! I'd be damn proud to park next to it at a show.

[rtgreenwell]

Saw your Lark last summer at Caffeine and Octane. Wheels look great! Hopefully you'll be headed to the meet in July. Didn't see you there this June... Not many studebakers anyways... would love to see some more!

[sbca96]

Local meets, gatherings, car shows and the like. Getting these Studebakers out there and seen. That
is really where its at. I finally got my Avanti out of the garage and drove it last night. The NOS throw
out bearing went the way of the ghost. Do what you like, enjoy the hobby, lets not beat each other
down over something as trivial as wheel choice. Well ... unless they are these :



Tom

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

Man, I really like that. What feet pack are you using for the roof rack? I wonder if it would fit my daytona..