Wheel/Tire Combo & Stance

[afx]

In my opinion the wheel/tire combination and the vehicle stance set the whole tone for the build. I won't even begin a project until I have found the right wheel/tire combination. And yes I feel the right tire is just as important as the right wheel. Once I have priority 1A (wheel/tire) sorted my next priority (1B) is to determine the vehicle stance. With these two criteria correct you can turn the most basic grocery getter instantly into a cool car.

[Ace-Garageguy]

True across the board for any kind of car, including 1:1, and often the difference between dorky and wow. I have a slightly different approach though, as I often do my early mockups with wheels and rubber that won't make it to final assembly. I build my suspensions so that minor height adjustments are possible, easily, at the end of the build, to dial in exactly the look I'm after. To me, as little as .010" can make a difference in the first impression of a 1/25 scale model.

I have a track-nose '34 Ford 3 window in progress that can be set up with a nose-high gasser stance, almost level for the dry-lakes look, and nose-down classic hot-rod rake.

[gtx6970]

Very much so, I'll work for hours to get the stance I am after . especially on vintage funnycar. IMO they just don't look right with the entire tire visible . I try to get the body/ wheel opening down to right at the top edge of rim at least

same thing for ealy 60's superstock cars, a lot of them had a nose high look to them sitting still

[Draggon]

The very first thing I do is choose wheels/tires, set the stance and build from there. Two examples that took quite awhile to get right.

[Harry P.]

But too many times guys lower the car down so far onto the tires that the car would be impossible to steer and would have ZERO suspension clearance. Not a complaint... just an observation as to how "stance" sometimes is giver more attention than basic credibility by a lot of builders.

[raildogg]

I agree also, without the right wheel tire combo's there is no personality, look or image.

[TheRX7Project]

Wheel/Tire is very important, but for me the #1 thing I need to start off with is a "theme". I need to know the direction I'm going, which usually determines wheel/tire and paint combinations. When I pick up a kit and look at it, I already have a picture in my mind of what it will look like when it's done. Color(s), stance, wheels and tires... there's a few models I've bought that are probably not going to be built for some time just because I can't figure out a direction for them. Of course the "idea" can change a little here and there, for instance the '55 Chevy Stepside I'm working on right now, I was going to go for a '60s custom look, but I don't have a good set of rims/tires for that build. The color combination I chose is pretty universal, so I decided to go pretty much box stock with just a few minor changes.

To me, starting a model without a final product in mind is like starting a trip without having a destination. Even if the final destination changes, at least you started going that direction.

[Ace-Garageguy]

But too many times guys lower the car down so far onto the tires that the car would be impossible to steer and would have ZERO suspension clearance. Not a complaint... just an observation as to how "stance" sometimes is giver more attention than basic credibility by a lot of builders.

Abso-positively agreed. If a model is intended to represent something that's air-bagged, that's one thing...frame rails can be on the deck...but a lot of times, that's just not the case.

[Harry P.]

Even if the final destination changes, at least you started going that direction.

Unless you're on your way to New York and you decide to go to L.A. instead!

[Lownslow]

I agree also, without the right wheel tire combo's there is no personality, look or image.

Goes for ride height as well, thats why the foose are teh suck.

[Harry P.]

Abso-positively agreed. If a model is intended to represent something that's air-bagged, that's one thing...frame rails can be on the deck...but a lot of times, that's just not the case.

There is a guy who is a former forum member whose only concern was "stance." In fact, he would literally cut the tops of the tires off in order to get them up higher in the wheelwell. When you saw the model from the side and completed the circumference of the wheel in your mind's eye, it was obvious that the wheel/tire combo he was using couldn't possibly have fit, bagged or not. Of course, that giant wheel-ultra lowered look was his "thing," and nothing wrong with that... but obviously he had no interest in realism. I guess he saw his models more as "sculpture" than scale model.

[TheRX7Project]

Is it wrong that every time I read your posts, I read them in Sherman T. Potter's voice?

[Harry P.]

Is it wrong that every time I read your posts, I read them in Sherman T. Potter's voice?

Nothing wrong with that at all!

[Greg Myers]

I like it. Much better than the other, more fatherly.

[tubbs]

There is a guy who is a former forum member whose only concern was "stance." In fact, he would literally cut the tops of the tires off in order to get them up higher in the wheelwell. When you saw the model from the side and completed the circumference of the wheel in your mind's eye, it was obvious that the wheel/tire combo he was using couldn't possibly have fit, bagged or not. Of course, that giant wheel-ultra lowered look was his "thing," and nothing wrong with that... but obviously he had no interest in realism. I guess he saw his models more as "sculpture" than scale model.

big fattys out back, centerlines and as low as you can go..... that's the way i build 'um...

i heard about people cutting tires. that i will not do. if i want it that low, i will bubble the body! and my front tires will turn.

[Greg Myers]

Back on track, I think the theme (as was pointed out by James) will set the height, tire size, and stance. Through my involvement with cars trough the years they have gone up, down, up in the front, down in back, down in front, down all around all trying to emulate something in the automotive world.

[Draggon]

There is a guy who is a former forum member whose only concern was "stance." In fact, he would literally cut the tops of the tires off in order to get them up higher in the wheelwell. When you saw the model from the side and completed the circumference of the wheel in your mind's eye, it was obvious that the wheel/tire combo he was using couldn't possibly have fit, bagged or not. Of course, that giant wheel-ultra lowered look was his "thing," and nothing wrong with that... but obviously he had no interest in realism. I guess he saw his models more as "sculpture" than scale model.

I know who you're talking about!

[Harry P.]

I know who you're talking about!

[afx]

Wheel/Tire is very important, but for me the #1 thing I need to start off with is a "theme". I need to know the direction I'm going, which usually determines wheel/tire and paint combinations. When I pick up a kit and look at it, I already have a picture in my mind of what it will look like when it's done. Color(s), stance, wheels and tires... there's a few models I've bought that are probably not going to be built for some time just because I can't figure out a direction for them. Of course the "idea" can change a little here and there, for instance the '55 Chevy Stepside I'm working on right now, I was going to go for a '60s custom look, but I don't have a good set of rims/tires for that build. The color combination I chose is pretty universal, so I decided to go pretty much box stock with just a few minor changes.

To me, starting a model without a final product in mind is like starting a trip without having a destination. Even if the final destination changes, at least you started going that direction.

I agree James that you should have a theme or mental picture in your mind before you start the build. I have lots of projects in my head but they cannot move forward becuase I have been unable to locate/create/discover the right wheel/tire combination. Then again I like to build specific (race) cars. This limits my wheel/tire options considerably.

[wgflatliner]

Wheel/Tire is very important, but for me the #1 thing I need to start off with is a "theme".

^^^ this. having a theme will ultimately determine how the stance will look. a 58 impala with gunmetal top, silver bottom, lowered with rake with some nice solid chrome wheels, named "heavy metal" - you have to nail the theme, and the wheels and stance should compliment the theme.

set a goal, come up with a game plan, and execute the plan accordingly.

[freakshow12]

I put a great deal of time into getting stance. By the comments on my stuff many of you have noticed and complimented me. Thanks : ). I will go to the work of a mini tub or frame alteration to make it as realistic as possible too. I also try and pick wheel tire choices that can work. Jam a 20 in an un altered fender that had 14s? How would you get the tire off? Lol.