17" wheels?

Yup. Had them with 45 series tires (225 front, 245 rear).  With a lowered car and the inherent lightness of these cars mine had a rough ride(not too much sidewall to add extra suspension).

Kevin 'Coolrydes' Zagar has those on his specialty A-arm suspension Speedster, as well as the car he built for Doug Kingston (AZ).

 

     Kevin 'Koolrydes' Zagar (Mendeola Trans & Suspension)

 

     Kevin's engine bay...

 

     Doug Kingston's Speedster (front & rear coil-over A-arm suspension by Kevin Z.)

Bob,

 

Personally I dont like the look unless you are going for "Hot Rod".  I know there are many tire options but there are not many wheel options outside of Fuchs and later P'car models.  16's would be a good comprosmise in my opinion.  With 17's you may end up with a 45 profile and it will look the pic above.  If you go 17's and tall profile then the car will be riding pretty tall.  Henry is the one to ask but I think you can run 16's and a 55 profile.  I would be after something like this.  Dont mind the Ford wheels. 

I agree with you Marty.  I love Kevin's work, but I think 17" wheels, on a standard body Speedster, are just too large.

Thanks, guys.  I need to make some decisions re: my new IM6 build.

 

The choice is between 17" and 16" wheels.

Bob, before you decided research what tires will fit your new IM in 16 and 17 inch wheels.

In my opinion 17 inch wheels are a risk (visually), while 16 inch wheels are a safe bet.  With 17s you will be hard pressed to find a performance tire in a 50+ series.  As Frank mentioned a 45 or 40 series tire will ride on the firm side.  Also, what are Ontario roads like?  Hit a good sized pot hole with a 45 or 40 series tire and you will most likely bend your beautiful and expensive wheel.  I had 40 series tires on my monster Miata (17" wheels) and bent three of my four wheels in one year.  I ended up going back to 15 inch rims.

Listen to Ron on the 17s.  A 45 series tire doesn't have so much sidewall(read flex).  If you car rides high then you may be ok but if she's low then you might really feel it. Mine really hammered me into submission so much that I gave up, bought a new adjustable front beam and went to 15 inch wheels.  Now it really rides nice and I only really feel the worst of the bumps.  If your roads are really good thats another thing. Just something to think about.

Marty

 

I just see an X in a box - no picture at all.

 

Bob

Bob, you know Marty is just showing off his fancy wheels again...

 

Bob, I'm still not sure if you are doing an IM6, but if you are, you might want to ask Dave Mitchell about his choices.

 

Done already, Rich.  Dave has a great car, and I even got a chance to drive it this summer.  Quite the beast, it is.

 

I was trying to post a 16 inch tire on a wide five.  

Bob, have you checked out these guys?

 

http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/

 

Someone with an IM has a set of these on his car....maybe Dave?

 

I really like Image wheels, but boy, are they heavy.

Thanks, Ron.  I'll have a look.

 

I did check this site:

 

http://www.lindseyracing.com/LR/Parts/P3.html

 

and they ain't cheap...

 

WOW!  Those are some sweet wheels.

when i had Carey build my car .... i think I got almost everything right except to order wide fives   ...

I run 17s on mine with 45 tires, theses guys are crazy if they say the ride is stiff, my ride is smooth as silk and handles awesome.
I don't think they like the look is all being a older bunch hence the negative.
I like a sportier hipper look, but that's me and if you like the look then do what you like.
My profile pic is my rims.

 

I should also state mine is a CMC widebody Outlaw so anything goes.
Yep I do what I like as long as I like it, a true Outlaw.

 

I have to say, the big diameter, wide wheels look pretty good on a widebody, but not so much on a narrow body.

I agree Danny, if I had a narrow body I would probably go with 16s and more of a classic look.