Wheels big or small....?

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by 65SkyConv, Oct 22, 2010.

  1. Ok... I already understand that this is a place for the soft top. However, a perspective from soft top owners might be just what I am looking for. I have a 65 Skylark Convertible (My title might have helped on that piece of information.) I am considering what size wheels to get for it. I have been trying to see what 17 inchers look like but haven't seen any. I have seen lots of 14 inchers. I guess I'm just not liking the stock size. 15 to 17 inches is what I am considering. I will be buying disk brakes for it in the next few days and as most of you know the size of the disk will affect the size of the wheel. So if any of you have advice, thanks. Pictures will even be more appreciated. Of course, with wheel size listed. Now for all of you that think I should stay stock. Your talking to the wrong person. This is a frame up restoration and If I had stayed stock it would have been cheaper to by one already restored. So originalist don't waist your breath. I'm going rod. But wheels today can often times be to "blingy". I want good looking wheels that fit the car. I ain't no pimp. Thanks in advance for your help
     
  2. william.ali.kay

    william.ali.kay Needs more cowbell!

  3. LowFlyLark

    LowFlyLark Time for a mild custom.

    I am also doing a body off rebuild of a convertible, and like you, I am going with a mild custom flair and all kinds of modern updates.

    When I pruchased my car (64 Skylark vert) the prior owner had mounted 16" wheels and tires on it. The offset on the wheels pushed them out too far and they rubbed on all four corners. The owner put air shocks on the back and what looked like big block springs in the front but they still rubbed now and then. I hated the 4 x 4 stance and the dated look (see the first two thumbnails) so I took my car to Coy's wheels not far from my home. They tried to talk me into 20" wheels and they had a set mounted on a 69 Camaro but I thought the wheels stood out too much. I want my wheels to complement the car not dominate like they did on the Camaro.

    I had coy's mount a set of 18" with 225 on the front and 245 45R out back. Coy's wheel guy's build their wheels to fit into the wheel wells and as you can see from my car the 18s go all the way in with the frame laying on the pavement. The fronts will rub on a tight turn when it's laying low but at rid hight of 5 inches the fronts clear lock to lock. I think the 18s fit well with the size of the car and I got lots of complements.

    With big wheels comes other problems. The side walls are noticeable stiffer so your ride is firm and they are harder to bring to a stop. The stopping distance was much greater and the heat fade after a couple of hard stops was scary so a disc brake swap is a good idea.

    You can follow my body off rebuild thread here http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=213961

    You can find Coy's wheels in many shops for a pretty good price. Look them up on eBay as well, they have some very nice styles that complement our cars styling. When I was looking I thought about the 17" as well but they were way more expensive.
     

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    Last edited: Oct 29, 2010
  4. big57daddy

    big57daddy Well-Known Member

    Hi:

    for what its worth - I have a "baby Buick" '63 Skylark convertible. I converted to front disk brakes, which necessitated a change in wheels - so I went with 17's all around and I'm very pleased with the look.

    Ray
     

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  5. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Coys Rock! Extremely affordable in my opinion. My buddy has 18's and 20's on his 67.
     

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  6. LowFlyLark

    LowFlyLark Time for a mild custom.

    Both the 63 and the 67 look great with big wheels. I'm mostly surprised with the 63, it's a smaller car and wheel wells and that tire and wheel combo looks great. I like them to fit into the wells.

    Love how the Coys fit way in the 67 wells and there 20" rear? Very nice.
     
  7. scott kerns

    scott kerns Silver Level contributor


    Chris where was that picture taken? Lots of nice looking cars there that I'd like to see more pictures of.

    As far as the wheels go...figure out what disc brakes you'll use and take it from there. The pics of the cars presented, even the 18" and 20" ones look good if you bag them and lower them when showing the car.

    Just don't donk the thing and you'll be OK.

    Scott
     
  8. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    The picture was taken at our annual Buick Open. More pics from the various years here: http://gngs.smugmug.com/Cars/Buick

    Yes, 20's in the back, and 18's upfront. I have 17's on my 69, but I bought those back when that was big. I can still run 45 series tires, a lot of these guys are running 35's which isn't a lot of sidewall. My friend's 67 is not really a pro touring car, it just has air ride and big wheels and front disc brakes. Chris in CA has a pro touring Skylark, that thing is bad!!!!
     
  9. scott kerns

    scott kerns Silver Level contributor

    NICE PICS! Thanks for sharing.

    Scott
     
  10. cjp69

    cjp69 Gold Level Contributor

    Here is a picture of my 61, it has air ride and 18x6 up front and 20x10 in the back.
     

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  11. red67wildcat

    red67wildcat Well-Known Member

    not to hijack the thread but Scott more pics here starting at post 108 I think

    http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=200335&page=5
     
  12. luvmy75

    luvmy75 Well-Known Member

    • Well for my tastes i went with some basic 15 inch Crager S/S on my 75.
     

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  13. scott kerns

    scott kerns Silver Level contributor

    That has got to be the best showing of Buicks that these 45 year old eyes have seen! :eek2:

    Thanks for sharing...gives me a bit of motivation to get mine done!

    Scott
     
  14. GKMoz

    GKMoz Gary / Moz

    Chris ! Love the 61 bubbletops !! Gorgeous ! Moz
     

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