Wheel & tire question and rant!

[Lownslow]

rather have big wheels than to put up with this in every modern kit

[ChrisPflug]

What kind of off roading though? Going to a larger diameter rim when upping tire size should allow for larger brakes (with bigger tires, bigger brakes should be a must), better sidewall stability in off camber situations, more control in case of a blow out, and quite frankly, won't look as stupid as a giant tire around a tiny rim.

Normally 1 ton truck brakes are more than adaquate for most off road use- the most "off camber" usage is normally done at low speeds with a big tire with a tall sidewall aired down to almost flat allowing for the tire to flex and "grab" obstacles. Mud rigs rely on tall tires, stiff suspension, and lots of power to go in a straight line. Sand usually works better with a combination of flotation and a soft tire. Racing on anything other than a smooth course depends on the tire as a big part of the "cushion"

For a truck with a lift kit that never leaves the pavement a lower profile tire probably works well

[Evil Appetite]

Like to see the wides and narrows from the 60's back. A nice set of Daisy mags or Keystone Classic or Snow Mags! Aluminum slots and even the old standard Cragar SS or Rocket wheels. In 5-6 inch wide fronts and 10-12 inch rears! All with rubber to match!

That..is what I want to see in a late 60's early 70's Muscle Car kit. As far as I'm concerned..the small front/fat rear tires and slotted mag rims or Keystones are definitive muscle.

[Nate]

I think the older guys prefer the wheel/tire combos that were cool when they were young. It's just a matter pf personal taste. The bigger wheel/smaller tire sidewall thing came about because of performance, which is why the g-machines run them. For me, it depends on the subject matter. My tastes have also changed over time.

Here's a 60 GTO G-Machine I built a few years ago:

Here's a 1961 Impala I saw in The Rodder's Journal. I would normally put 18"-20" wheels on this type of car, until I saw this one.

10 years ago I preferred this look for hot rods:

Now I prefer this look. Note: this is not a rat rod, it's a bare metal traditional hot rod.

Then there are cars that would look great with big wheels or steelies and tall whitewalls, like this Foose truck.

It's all a matter of personal taste.

Edited January 3, 2012 by Nate

[Nate]

That..is what I want to see in a late 60's early 70's Muscle Car kit. As far as I'm concerned..the small front/fat rear tires and slotted mag rims or Keystones are definitive muscle.

See to me the small front/fat rear tires looks like the owner doesn't care to ever take a turn faster than 10 mph, not to mention a little like the car was never brought out of the mid-80's.

Edited January 3, 2012 by Nate

[Guest Johnny]

See to me the small front/fat rear tires looks like the owner doesn't care to ever take a turn faster than 10 mph, not to mention a little like the car was never brought out of the mid-80's.

The original idea of the Muscle Car was to do quick quarter miles not race like a Can Am racer!

[Nate]

The original idea of the Muscle Car was to do quick quarter miles not race like a Can Am racer!

Right, but we're talking about preference. I'm just telling you what I think when I see that type of wheel/tire combo.

Edited January 3, 2012 by Nate

[Rob Hall]

I often like to build 3 versions of a kit of a vintage subject in stock, period street machine, and modern G-machine styles..part of the fun is thinking about what set of wheels and tires work and then finding them for the non-stock builds..kits like the Revell '69 Nova, '69 Camaro, '68/69 Charger, '70 Torino lend themselves to this, IMO..

Edited January 3, 2012 by Rob Hall

[bigphoto]

Thanks for your thoughts gang, It was appreciated.