1963 R1 Rim fitment

[MPBGT]

I have a 1963 Avanti that has Magnum 500's on it. I really don't know much about them. The car was "restored" by the factory in the 80's so I'm not sure if they were added then. What I'm wondering is about aftermarket wheels for it. I'm looking at either polished or classic looking torque thrusts for my car either in 16" or 17" sizes. Does anyone have any experience with this, maybe pictures? I'm not sure what offset would look right and how wide of a rim I can fit in there without issue. I know there are people online that run newer mustang rims with a 1" spacer. While that looks good in some instances I'm not sure if that's what I want to do.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Avanti83]

This should get you started http://www.aoai.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=293&hl=%2Bavanti+%2Bwheels

For more info follow Tom's sbca96's posts on here and the SDC forum.

[MPBGT]

Thanks for the reply, that will get me started. Where is everyone else at on here?

[mfg]

If You find that spacers are needed for the wheels that You eventually purchase, that's probably OK. I say that because I installed the Camaro front disc brake system on My '83 Avanti a few years ago (this requires 1" wide wheel adapters to convert the GM over to the Stude wheel bolt pattern) and I've had no problems whatsoever with these spacers....It's like they're not even there.

[SBCA96]

Yes, bolt on spacers work rather well. I used them to mount 2002 Camaro SS wheels on a 1978 Camaro.

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2843771&postcount=116

Tom

[MPBGT]

Well my overall goal is to avoid spacers, My objective since I'm looking at new wheels is to order the backspacing that will work. Based on the responses here it seems most are running stock or near stock rims. I'm not looking to go to huge wheels, max 17" so I'll probably just source a wheel fitment tool and go from there. I may also just get my magnums re-chromed.

[SBCA96]

I am running 17 x 8 "Cobra" knockoffs. These are wheels based on the 2003 Mustang Cobra which is a 9 inch wide wheel, they take an inch off the back spacing. With my brake setup it creates a 1/4 inch "spacer" with the rotor and gets you QUITE close to clearing. Just a hair of contact with the upper front zerk fitting on the inside edge of the wheel at FULL lock on one side. This is the contact spot .. Studebakers do not have good steering stop control. I would recommend going 18 if you want to run 8 inch wide wheels. You can run 17 x 7 without too much difficulty, with the correct offset.

You could also get the wheels that I used and have a wheel shop narrow them to 7. They fit the rear just fine as 8 inch wide. You would only have to narrow two for the front. Downside is with such large wheels the little 11 inch rotors look really small. Here is my Avanti with the 13 inch rotor 2 piston caliper setup I sell brackets for....

Tom

Edited April 14, 2014 by SBCA96

[MPBGT]

I am running 17 x 8 "Cobra" knockoffs. These are wheels based on the 2003 Mustang Cobra which is a 9 inch wide wheel, they take an inch off the back spacing. With my brake setup it creates a 1/4 inch "spacer" with the rotor and gets you QUITE close to clearing. Just a hair of contact with the upper front zerk fitting on the inside edge of the wheel at FULL lock on one side. This is the contact spot .. Studebakers do not have good steering stop control. I would recommend going 18 if you want to run 8 inch wide wheels. You can run 17 x 7 without too much difficulty, with the correct offset.

You could also get the wheels that I used and have a wheel shop narrow them to 7. They fit the rear just fine as 8 inch wide. You would only have to narrow two for the front. Downside is with such large wheels the little 11 inch rotors look really small. Here is my Avanti with the 13 inch rotor 2 piston caliper setup I sell brackets for....

Tom

Great thanks for the info- I need to sit down and figure out what I want to do. This info will be very helpful.