What's Your Opinion on These Tires and Wheels

[lawyercalif]

I have found a Tire and Wheel combination that intrigues me. I love the look, but I am not sure how they would look on my 59 Vert. They are 15 x 7 wheels with a 38mm offset, so they would probably need 1 1/2 inch spacers at least on the front. Tires are 215/70R15 they should work fine.

My questions are, is a 1 1/2 spacer safe on the front, would I also need the spacer on the rear?

Also, just give me an honest opinion of how you think these would look on a 59 Convertible. I look forward to your opinions.

[Dan Leavens]

Daniel the tire / rim comboniation looks good. The beauty of owning a classic is that you put your personality into them and these would certainly pop..

[Anders]

If they fit your car or not is up to you as a owner. Only your opinion is relevant as I see it. They are not my favorites at all, as I think "that classy look" got lost as soon as the steelwheels with hubcaps are gone. But there are some Alu wheels like 5 spoke Cragar style that does look good without giving away too much of the flair from the past. Billet style like this require quite a dramatic bodywork to go with it if you ask me.

[dgs]

Personally, I think it's too modern of a style for the classic Squarebirds, but if you like them, it's your car. There are a lot of classic billet style wheels like the Boyd's I went with that really work with the classic lines. Check out Foose, Boyd Coddington, American Racing and others like it.

As far as the spacers, I would think you'd want to run them front and back if you had wheels that needed them. That way they'd look the same, otherwise your rear wheels would be 1 1/2" farther inboard. Also, there is more room back there, but maybe not that much.

[lawyercalif]

Personally, I think it's too modern of a style for the classic Squarebirds, but if you like them, it's your car. There are a lot of classic billet style wheels like the Boyd's I went with that really work with the classic lines. Check out Foose, Boyd Coddington, American Racing and others like it.

I already bought four wheels like the one shown below with the Ford hubcap. My next question is do you think the tire in the other picture would go with these, and if so, which set of wheels do you like best.

[Dakota Boy]

To me, they look too modern for a late '50's car

[Jimz Bird]

FWIW

I like the "wires" with the hubcap. Tires a tossup. Maybe medium width whitewalls to show off the wheels.

[dgs]

I like the wheels on the left best of the two, but I'm not sure I could stop thinking 'Crown Vic' every time I saw them.

The white & yellow stripe tires (Vogues?) are OK but I think a nice white wall would be better personally.

I think I've seen someone with those lace wheels on a Squarebird someplace.

[Restifier52]

I think the tires with the Ford wheels would work. Perhaps you have the capability to impose an image of the wheels and tires onto an image of your car. Then you would have as good an idea as possible how it looks short of actually putting them on. I must agree however that what we think does or doesn't look good is worth its weight in helium.

[dgs]

I think I've seen someone with those lace wheels on a Squarebird someplace.

I think I figured that out. I may have been remembering NYsquarebird58's first 'bird:



Similar, but not the same. Different 'lace' pattern and more significantly, exposed lugs vs. covered. Still, will give you an idea how they'll look.

[cdhowell]

Personally I would be more concerned about the load rating of the tire. A lot of smaller P metrics were designed for light cars like a Cavalier or Civic. As far as safety in running spacers. I run 1 1/2" spacer on my rock crawler with 38" tires and never had a problem. Rims are a personal choice, run the ones that are most appealing to you.

[lawyercalif]

Thanks for your input. I will probably go with the crown Vic wheels I already have and Coker 2 1/2 white walls in 215/75R15.

[SBHollingsworth]

Sweet! I'm in the process of restoring my 1960, I'm not to the tires just yet but these look great

[klattu]

Strip and polish those Crown Vics... now that would stand out.
I like the others too, different enough, and have angles like the body.

[lawyercalif]

Strip and polish those Crown Vics... now that would stand out.
I like the others too, different enough, and have angles like the body.

I followed your advice but took it a step further and had them chromed. I am really pleased with the way they look now. Almost like a wire wheel at 1/3 the cost and easier to maintain. They will be getting 215/75R15 Coker 2 1/2" Whitewalls within the next few weeks.