I'd agree that a 17-18" rim is about max on most musclecars. I still say that the biggest mistake people make when putting big rims on their car is they then undersize the tire. The minimum tire diameter on an A-body should be close to 26" but most times with bigger rims they are under that and that is when they don't proportion right. That Imp. probably came with at least 27" tires, maybe 28". Even with the big rims I'll bet they are short. Anyway you look at that car the sidewall just doesn't have enough "black".
Well, maybe not true monster trucks as seen on SpikeTV, but there sure are A LOT of BIG trucks around already with huge wheels and low profile street tires. I'm talking 3/4 ton trucks with 4-6" lifts on them. U-G-L-Y-! I agree that a proportional black wall with a large wheel helps, but I dont like the cars presentation to be overtaken by the wheels. The wheels need to be low key enough to compliment the entire package of the vehicle. And spending huge amounts of money on wheels does not make any car cool. The car needs to be cool on its own before you start dressing it. Just my opinion, anyways.
The blue buick (1st picture) is "Hot", and probably how mines is going to be sitting in the end, but now the rest i agree is a little overdoing it, but that is there choice.
Billy - I'm one of those retired old pharts that would like to see some nice Cragar's on this nice 60's car. Maybe even spinners, or moon caps, with little LED lights hidden inside the fenders - although that might be "illegal" these days - but on an old car the police would let the lights stay if the front ones were green and the rears were red ? 2000's rims should go on some tooner someplace - IMHO :3gears: I wouldn't have volunteered had you not asked. Rip Rohring :Comp: PS: You can't see my stock :bglasses: rims on the '53 - can you just imagine 24"o No: or 27" o No: rims on this beauty ? It would take away so much ? :Smarty: Besides, Impalas aren't muscle cars - no tork ?
Big rims only look stupid when there's over 4" of space between the top of the tire and the bottom of the fender/wheelwell. There's nothing wrong with riding on big wheels. There are no safety issues involved, unless you're driving like an idiot. Here are a few nice Buicks I've seen on the net: W/O wheels W/wheels Still getting worked on Finished product
I have something to say on this that applies to more than just big rims. It applies to anything that is not practical or purpose driven. Back in the day, we modified our cars to go faster. When we changed something it was because we were trying to improve performance. It was purpose driven. I had friends with 4 wheel drive trucks who spent their weekend trying to out-do each others feats in the mud. When they added bigger tires and lift kits to their truck, they were trying to improve their trucks abilities. Again, purpose driven. So, when I first went to a car show and saw a fake blower and chrome undercarriage in the 70s, my immediate reaction was: "wow, that is stupid and pointless". Next up was the kids in the 80s who put tiny little wheels on their car and stuck them a foot out the side so when they turned it hit the fenders. The first few I saw, I just assumed the poor little fella had a head injury or something. Then it became a fad replete with neon lights under the car. I know this is all about getting attention, but to me, again - pointless. The epitome of this is the kids with their pants down around their knees. Wow, really? Look here head injury Harry, pants have one purpose. To cover up areas that don't need to be seen. You have managed to use them in such a way that they can't even serve their sole purpose! What the hell is broken in your head? So, back to tires and rims. They have a purpose. Any extreme that you go to that takes them outside their practical purpose is stupid. So, if once you get so big or so small that you make the car drive worse, ride worse and/or reduce the vehicle potential to perform well then there is your clue. That would be stupid.
Are small tires on big cars stupid ? Personally don't feel a 60's or 70's mid size or bigger muscle car should have no less then an 18 inch tire and and rim setup. buying tires from the same section that a honda civic or a nissian sentra does, is boreing and for weak cars. "like a 7 foot basketball center with size 8 foot", Lol.. Currently rideing on a set of 20 inch rim and tire combo. Feels great, rides good, with plenty of power to turn them over at the press of my right foot. "ok sorry guys, but i gotta be Honest and say it. I have a buick, love my skylark and this site", but feel this post and it's responses are the perfect example of why Buicks will never be as great in name or value as a chevelle challenger or a GTO, will ever be. these car owners aren't scared to take there cars out of the path of the origianl or normal path of the car, which is why there so great, valued and wanted in the eye's of this generation of musclecar owners. And Buicks are, as so many are, seen and known as boreing looking old Grandpa cars. Not everyone wants to," just go fast", some just wanna look good while cruiseing.
This is very debatable (sp?) and everyone is going to have an opinion on it. I fell in love with the way my GS looks. Between the GS hood scoops and the grille, I couldent resist it. I like no wheel bigger than 16inch, again thats just me. Louie
There are no safety or drivability problems whatsoever with running outrageously tall wheels & tires on any car you wish: http://www.youtube.com/v/8znD7-l5Tmo&hl=en_US&fs=1 Devon
Bingo! Its all personal taste and opinion...variety is the spice of life they say, if you don't agree with it, don't agree but don't knock it because its not what you like...(hard to do)... :grin:
Does limo tint look stupid if the car isnt a limo? Lake pipes? Rat rods? Does a painted engine compartment look stupid if my hood is closed and Im driving? What about an aftermarket third brake light? L.E.D.s? Shaved door handles? Chrome/ Blacked out? Air bag suspension? Blah, blah, blah. Come on guys, we could do this all day about anything and get nowhere. Some will agree and some will disagree. What ever happened to"Its your car to do what you want with."?o No: If anybody decides to go with some big @ss ferris wheel rims and has some 15" ralleys for sale cheap, let me know.
"Wow" !! so your point is that happen because of big rims or maybe, just maybe, since the axle is still connected to the rim as it came apart that who ever built his rear end had no ideal of what they were doing, and maybe the "C" clip was never put back on properly or put on at all in the rear houseing ?
Nope, my point is that while the 4x4 guys have known for about 100 years that taller wheels/tires need beefier axles, it seems others haven't figured it out yet. The idea that there are no drawbacks to bolting on a set of substantially taller wheel/tires with no other changes is a fallacy. Does that make more sense? Even they guy speaking at the 0.03 mark knew what was going to happen. He called it before it broke! Devon
