If you could run a 14-16 inch wheel w/o ANY Sacrifice in handling would you?

[tyoneal]

Originally Posted by Roarvette

I had this problem, and I went with 17" and old style wheels that are period correct. 315/35-17 and 275/40-17. 17X11 and 17X9.5 wheels.
Not into what ifs... Just do it and move on.

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BTW: I love the Grand Sport C2's. This is a nice take on a slightly alternative "Grand Sport". While working on mine, it cool to see some of your thoughts that created something similar yet unique.

Ty

[Ketzer]

My opinion just from the visual...
I guess I'm in that same minority. Old muscle cars need some tire sidewall to have the right "look". 17s are plenty big although some cars can pull off 18s and not look too bad (2nd Gen F bodies for example).

One very popular style that really looks off to me is a smaller wheel on front and giant hoops on the rear 18/20 combos. I'm all for the rear being a larger diameter but it needs to be in the tire, not the wheel.

On the performance side of it...
I would be very interested in comments from some of the dedicated track guys on how much "feel" they get from a 17 vs 18s vs 20 comparison...
Ok, sure...if you have double the sidewall there is going to be more tire flex, but once you become adjusted to the different feel, does it really significantly hurt the handling...?

Jeff-

[clill]

I think if you wanted the tall tire look from a distance you could machine rims that part of the rim was done in black to look like the tire. Like how the guys are doing the whitewall look by painting part of the rim.

[BMR Sales]

I used to run Smaller Wheels on my Porsches, but due to Tire availability, I've gone up in size and have really gotten used to the look

[NOT A TA]

I think it will come down to tire availability. There's currently not enough options in the 14-15" high performance tire market to please everyone AND I don't know if tire manufacturers could, or are willing to try to design, 14-15" tires that could match the performance of the shorter sidewall 18" performance tires. Sales of high performance 14-15" tires would be a very limited market at this point.

I've moved up to 18's on my 2nd gen Firebird which is more of a road track car, not only because of the brake clearance, but also because the options in DOT R 17" sizes has started to dwindle.

I've got an 81 Malibu street car I'm building with a sort of backdated look. 14" wheels with radial TA's, not much out there for performance 14" tires.

[Roarvette]

Cool, I look forward to what you have come up with. If F1 cars can still run 13" wheels, obviously it is possible to get looks and performance.

[DBasher]

I like sidewall.

[tyoneal]

Originally Posted by DBasher

I like sidewall.

Your Car is Stunning!

I love it, and yes I to love sidewalls.

Awesome ride.

Ty O'Neal

[DBasher]

Originally Posted by tyoneal

Your Car is Stunning!

I love it, and yes I to love sidewalls.

Awesome ride.

Ty O'Neal

Not mine, it does look "correct" though.

Curious to see what you've got going on. When are you spilling the beans?

[TheJDMan]

I was a staunch 15" wheel guy for 45 years but I reluctantly went with 18" wheels to accommodate big brakes and modern suspension components. It took me a while to get accustomed to the bigger wheel diameter but I like the look now within reason.

This car has been my inspiration for years.


This is what I built.