Anyone here recommend where to buy them? Did you stay with the 15X7's or did you go with the Vintage 50's....
What size tire?
Car has standard springs, shelby drop, front disc brakes.
Thanks,
Andrew
68 Convertible
I PM'd you some of my specifics, but in case anyone else has the same questions, here's my thinking: I have original Shelby 10 spokes and 225/50-15 front and 245/50-15 rears. The 245's are no longer made, but IMHO are just right. I've seen lots of cars with 215/60-15 front and 235/60-15 rears that look great and are likely better proportioned on a car that sits slightly higher than mine. If mine sat any higher, the tires would look goofy. They do not rub, even with 4 people in it. The Vintage 50's look great and I think the 16" wheel actually looks better than 15's, however I really don't see an 8" wheel fitting on the front of my car. Before someone replies with how their car has 8's up front with no problem, please measure your fender lip, mine is 22 3/4" from the ground and I can say that without bending the fender lip up front (and risking the paint) 8" wheels ain't gonna fit. No way, no how. If I'm wrong, I'll be the first to admit it, but seeing is believing.
It seems many are running 8" wide wheels on older Mustangs-up to 17" wheels. I have to assume that the backspacing varies considerably among manufacturers. I'm going similar decision making now, and thought of trying the V6 16" wheels on recent Mustangs as they have "Halibrand" look to them, but don't think I can on a 67 due to backspace issues. How was the 22 3/4" height measured-with current wheel on or fender lip to bottom of sill? I would also like to hear what other folks are using.
My wheels have (I think) 4 3/8" backspace, and they place the tire very close to the upper ball joint, so more backspace wouldn't fit, and there is about 1/2" of space between the tire and the fender, so without rolling the fender lips, I really don't see how on earth another inch of wheel and tire is gonna fit. Now I know some people flatten the fender lips to get bigger wheels in there, and that'll work as well, but with stock lips their car either sits a lot higher than mine or they just live with the tires rubbing. As for the 22 3/4" measurement, it was with the car in the garage, taken from the ground to the highest point of the fender opening, approximately through the center of the wheel. I also gained a touch of clearance and much better handling by having the front end aligned to 1/2 degree of negative camber. This tilts the tire in a bit at the top, so it stays flat in hard turns, but it also gives a bit more clearance.
My original 68 Shelby 10 spokes are stamped (and measure) 4 1/2 backspace. All the repros I have seen are 4 1/4 backspace. So I am thinking the repros will push the wheel closer to the fender.