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I think most wheels being produced by the after market are ugly as sin. They remind me of the hubcaps with the gaudy spinners of the old days. Cars/trucks look top heavy like a baby buggy, hang a corner and flip on the side. :whacked:
I see some nice stuff ruined with a gaudy oversized wheel set. Do not even have to post a picture for anyone to get the idea.
What say you?
I figured you'd post a picture of red steelies with wide whites......
I draw the line on most everything bigger that 16" and I'm not real thrilled with 16's
Anything that runs a tire with an aspect ratio lower than around 60 isn't going to hit my "like" button. Too much wheel, not enough sidewall is a common problem, and when it's on a pre-'49 it's even worse. The "stance" means nothing if it's overshadowed by huge wheels, rubber band tires, IMO.
This might be one of the most subjective topics you could pick. The style of vehicle, which leads to the viewers expectations for what looks right, and the age of the viewer along with a bunch of other less prominent qualifiers all contribute. I'm in agreement on the comments about aspect ratio, spoke/face style on, let's say a '32 sedan, the more modern stuff just seems like a sour musical note at the symphony. But I have little problem with that sort of thing on say a current vintage performance car where that style and the resultant performance go hand in hand. I chuckle a bit at comments like Mike's about the red wheel, wide white combo. In the early '90s when some of us resurrected that look I can't tell you how many positive comments we got, "oh, I remember when I was in high school.............". Of course, that was the point. But in the intervening 20+ years it's become cliche to the point of boredom so has lost it's impact as a "styling statement" . Good topic though, lots to talk about............
You're on target again, Unc'a Bob. Case in point, we were out doing some preliminary shopping for a replacement SUV in the cold yesterday, and the kid who thought he was "selling" gave me the "....yeah, it's sittin' on 20's....", and I bit my tongue and didn't reply "It'd look a lot better on 17's or 18's....", but I was thinking that, and HE was thinking, "..but it'd look really sweet on 24's.....":LOL::LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter
And don't forget Roger, he'd probably want the wheels in all black (where's the barfing smilie when you need it?)
It's all in that "what we expect" thing. 18, 19, 20 on a contemporary truck/suv is common to our eye/memory. Some examples (since I'm a picture guy).
My truck has 20s, looks comparatively tame, while the Mustang also has 20s, but with the lower aspect ratio tire it makes the wheel more dominant than the same size on the truck. But both fulfill expectations for their genre. Then throw in the '30 roadster with 16s and then think of that rear tire/wheel being just about 50/50 steel vs rubber.......again, it looks right (to me anyway) because it's familiar (rubber band tires and major hoops would be just ALLLLLL wrong!!).
One of the great things about wheels/tires is that all is usually takes to change them to something more suited to your taste is money, a jack & a lug wrench!:LOL::LOL::LOL:
I tend to like the bigger wheels but don't necessarily like the gawdy stylings of many of them. Many times an old school design in a contemporay size is the best of both worlds for me. I'm not into "rubber band" tires necessarily but have seen projects where they look kinda cool. I guess if I was loaded with cash & space I might be the Imelda Marcos of tires & wheels having a variety of looks & sizes to change out whenever I felt like going for a different look....:eek::D:D
One look I've grown extremely weary of is the chrome reverse smoothie with some "off-brand" white letter tire saying something like "Hercules Grabber".......:whacked::whacked:
"Clown Shoes": rubber band tires on big diameter wheels....
the only thing worse is "Ghetto Clown Shoes" (black big diameter wheels with rubber band tires).
http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps3964a42f.jpg
But, as Randy points out, it's an easy change.
This topic can be extended to other components on a car.....the component must "fit" with the theme and the other components to make the "look". Like on Bob's Model A roadster picture, 20" wheels would look silly since they are contrary to the theme while the Model A wheels would look dumb on the Mustang. This is why some folks build cars that are "right" while others struggle with the look. For instance, putting a late model steering column in a "period" car destroys the entire theme. If you look at the magazine features, you'll see cars that have design continuity....these are usually the award winning builds. Then, you'll see a car with a mismatch of parts....still fun for the owner but probably not trend setting. This is why I try to not use a chromed chain steering wheel on a restored Deuce.
Mike
I'm not a fan of rubber band tires either. In my book, they ride rough, are more prone to road hazard damage and can't be repaired for anything more than a nail hole in the tread pattern. However, the 20's on my 2014 Ford Escape seem to be just right for the vehicle. Go figure.
1932 Ford Roadster - The Mirage - Street Rodder Magazine
I put almost identical size tires on my car. The front's one size wider 225/45/17. The rear's the same 295/45/20. Looks good to me and that's all that matters.
I'm guessing your a younger'ish fella?Quote:
Originally Posted by daveS53
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Big wheels on street rod or muscle car look cartoonish. Way too far out of proportion for the style. Anything over a 16" is starting to look wrong. 17's MIGHT work depending on the car and wheel design. Just my opinion, BUT when you start looking for a true high performance tire, you're going to be forced to consider the larger sizes. Almost no one makes a truly modern performance tire in 15" and 16 inchers are getting slim. Most manufacturers are just not putting any R and D into anything under a 17" except for race tires. Most of the smaller "performance" street tires I've seen are copies of designs that have been around for years.
I don't think I will ever "get" the monster wheels that require the car to be raised to get them on. They look like some kind of goofy monster truck (car?). The tiny brake rotors look silly compared to the huge rims.
Mike
Mike
That look doesn't do it for me. My truck has 14s on the front and 15s on the back. Now my 2013 Mustang has 20s all around and looks just right.Quote:
Originally Posted by daveS53
Ummm...Quote:
Originally Posted by 34_40
Our '47 has red steelies with narrow (1.25") whitewalls...
In my opinion they suit it...
But when we built that car we set out to make it look as stock as possible; a look that I think we have achieved, even though it's about 6" lower than standard.
I've even had comments along the lines of: "It's good to see one of these old girls restored, and not ****ed around by one of those ****** hot-rodders!"
Which causes a quiet chuckle.
But as I say; those red steelies with whitewalls were a part of the 'look' we set out to get.
And we got it.
I'm "only" 61. I'm getting my first social security check in July. I am a mechanical engineer, so I tend to like more modern stuff, particularly when it comes to the drive train. It's hard to beat an LS3 that has an honest 430 net horsepower and still gets 20 mpg in city driving. It will also handle the Colorado altitude changes a lot better than any carbureted engine.Quote:
Originally Posted by lakeroadster
I like the 17" front and 20" rear combination too. 45 series tires don't look like rubber bands to me.
My 40 had steelies and I opted to ditch them. They're everywhere for one, and the car did not have them on it when my uncle had it. It just isn't how I remember the car being. I want to build it to what he may have if he were still here, and ever had the extra money. Anyhow, I agree about the big ugly dubs and rubber band tires. I'm out on 90% of them. I was really shocked shopping for tires and wheels for the 40 how hard it is to find what used to be a common 15-16" tire size 10-15 years ago.
Here's a little bit of fun info for you guys who are resistant to go with wheels larger than 15" in diameter.....the '32 Ford originally came with 18's!:D:D
Early Ford Wire Wheel Tech - Hot Rod Forum : Hotrodders Bulletin Board
I think it's natural to go with things that appeal to your own personal nostalgia. Being a High Schooler in the late 70's, slot mags big rear raised white letter TA Radials were all the rage, with the rear end jacked up a bit. Front tires and wheels were all a bit smaller version of what was on the rear. My 48 truck with have this theme going for it if it ever gets completed!
I have to agree with Bob that the tire/wheel has to match the era of the vehicle too, and in most cases the average vintage enthusiast will say, "yep that just doesn't flow" yet the younger shops are pushing some new trends, that younger generations are growing up to, and to them it's, "wagon wheels and rubberbands...awesome" ;)
Saw a very nice '66 'vette the other day, nicely restored, clean as a whistle, and running 20's with thin sidewalls. Just looked all wrong for the period for my old eyes. Others might look and be wow'd by the "new" look. Beauty's in the eye of the beholder....
Ya know ya want them :LOL: :rolleyes: :eek: :whacked: :D
Attachment 63132
Yeah, Roger, I'd have to see it before I passed judgment one way or the other. It would greatly depend on the wheel choice, but agree 20's might be a tad to big for that car. I think about any 60's car can handle 17's quite nicely, though, like the Corvette below.....sure there are always a few exceptions! :LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by rspears
This is my idea of 18's....... Wide that is. :LOL:
And Model As came with 19" and 21" wheels.Quote:
Originally Posted by randyr
Quote:
Originally Posted by randyr
And the first thing the Hot Rodders of the era did was toss those fugly, spindly wheels aside and replace them.Quote:
Originally Posted by dmw56
I had a 66 vet, that vet looks awful sitting up on those wheels ... gross
Somethings are just cool without excuses, tires need sidewall.
Cars rolling on wagon wheels or windmills are goofy, just the way it is :LOL:
Attachment 63135
White letters were still in style in the early 1980's - and so were these wheels.
http://www.clubhotrod.com/photopost/...0/464030-2.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by stovens
Kind of remind me of the Cragar's on my 68' Mustang!
Those on my '30 A-bone were Firestone S/S radials on American Racing Outlaw II wheels. Quite the statement for the day. Not so much today.
That could be said for oh so many things Jack.......................:eek::whacked:Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rifle
Hello, I'm building a 33 Ford hiboy and love your wheel and tire setup on your black roadster. What size wheels and tires are they?
Thanks,
Tim
If you're referring to the Model A hiboy on the first page those were Ford 16 x 4 wheels. Firestone bias tires, 5.50 in front, 7.50 rear. If not that one then you need to be more specific....
This subject kind of hits home for me. I have been struggling with the rim and tire combo for my build for a quite a while. There are so many choices available. I know the trend is to go with the bigger wheels but.....I think that these bigger wheels are just that "a trend" and I my goal is a make a "Timeless Hotrod" and not a trendy one. The kids are all pushing me for larger wheels but I thankfully they are not in charge of my build :)
Anyways I am thinking probably 16's at the most, but only time will tell. Although I am having a very hard time selecting the actually style of the rim. So many choices...:whacked: All I know for sure is that they will be "shiny"
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Sorry couldn't resist....
I agree that the big wheels look out of proportion on a traditional hot rod. I've looked at a few really nice cars that were let down by the wheels. One was a 34 Highboy with a blower. Everything about it was just right except the monster wheels. I think it had 20's in the rear and 18's in the front! They made the car look cartoonish.
Having said that, I will admit that except for racing tires, true high performance tires with modern technology in anything less than 17" are fast disappearing. There are a few in 16", but they are mostly replacements for mid-90's hi-perf factory cars. If you are satisfied with 70's era tire technology, then Bf Goodrich and Cooper have you covered.
I have had to go to 18's on my sport car project. I tried to stay with 17's, but couldn't find any traditional style wheels I liked that would clear the 13" brakes I'm using. Most traditional hot rod wheels (like Torque Thrust's) looked stretched and out of proportion when you go over 17". I've had to go with a more modern wheel design.
