White walls or Not?

I am still stuggling as to whether or not I like the whitewalls. I am soliciting your opinions on their aesthetic value. Thanks to all that take a moment for feedback.

There are probably more esthetic arguements, both for and against, with regard to authenticity, but for my part they just look, make that "feel" right - and at the end of the day, that's what floats the boat.

Mike

Personally I think they look awesome.

They are a stylish addition that helps contribute to a "period" look. They wouldn't work for me, I'd roll the sidewalls too much and probably rub 'em off.

I think they look great! One vote to keep them. jk

They look awesome. I would have them on my car, but I'm too lazy to keep them clean, and I have one corner that I like to take really fast that would make short work of grinding them off too much.

On a light colored car, PERFECT! Really sweet, and "period" and vintage and smart looking!

My vote (early and often)__YES

Dan, what they said...in my best Billy Crystal, "they look marvelous."

Keep them. If you roll them off in the corners, you need alot more air in the tires.

It's a no brainer Dan. Keep them. They are period specific, very classy, and also unique! They definitely make some panties drop.

Yes, I think they look great.
ed

At the risk of being the lone dissenter...I'd go back to blackwalls on your car, Dan, but (obviously) that's just me. While the wide whites do complement the overall look of the D, they're just a little too "cartoonish" for me. But, it's a classic either way.

Dan,

Also I hate to bring up this concept, but you live in Corona, CA and the white walls give your car the LOW RIDER (Chicano) look. That look is OK for Chevys and Fords, but not the SPEEDSTER. Also, my opinion.

Gabe

Simple. Put white on one side of the car and black on the other! D-man

Dan:

I think the white walls are horrible. Therefore, you should sell the car...to me! :) Seriously, the car is a true original. Don't change a thing.

Gabe:

Chicano IM? You may be on to a whole new market for IM :)

Dan, I go along with John and Gabriel, they look terrible on your car, however I do think they would look good on mine, so If you decide to unload them, I have first dibs.....
I kinda like the cartoonish look, sorta like Jessica from the Roger Rabbit movie.....

I like the way they look. Saw something in Bugzone, whitewall covers for about $50 for four depending on the width. Anyone ever try these? I don't know how they mount on though.

Dan
Your car looks very unique.The reason is the white walls.Of course the car will look good either way.Keep the white walls so you can be different than the rest of us.

Definatly keep them, Looks good on the ivory car and on Ricks light yellow. I don't think they'd work on a dark car IMHO.
Bruce

Dan:

Last season I took my car (White, with black-spoked Fuchs rims, remember?) to a meet, and my wife and son's girl-friend both showed up. They looked all around and then both told me that my car looked nice, but that I needed brighter wheels to show it off. This past Winter I stripped the black off and polished the spokes and it made a BIG positive difference in the look, even though I left the spoke backgrounds black (they actually looked a little bit better, I think, with the backgrounds silver).

Stick with the wide whites......they look nicely retro and yet fit the car to a "T".

Gordon
One of the "Speedstah Guys" from Rhode Island

On one hand they give a more formal and sophisticated look to the car.
On the other hand they offer a bit more maintenance. I did hear Henry muttering that they're a bitch to clean.

Yea Dan, their hard to clean....I think you need to loose the wide whites.....

Thanks to everyone that responded with their opinions. I do appreciate all of them. I am still a little at odds with them, as I always have felt that the WW's were a little bit of a cliche 50's look on a sports car. Having said that, a MBZ 190 SL doesn't look right without them. I will probably need to live a little longer with them to decide if they should go.

John Leader, you analogy was similar to my thoughts.

Vince, you have first dibs on these "beautiful new radials" should I decide go with a black tire.

BTW, if anyone is good with Photo Shop, I would love to see the car with blackwall tires.

Keepem comin...

Personally, I think your car would look much better without the white walls. Those tires look like they should be on an old chevy or thunderbird or something. I think it takes away from the sporty look of the car. Just my opinion though.

Opinions are Free - and that's what they're worth Would look great on '57 back VW bug BUT not on a Speedster sports car. Too Pimp looking for my taste --- just need the mud flaps and fuzzy dice.

PhotoShop....hey baby....on it's way!

Oh, Man! Keep 'em white! Let it grow on ya for awhile. Gives it a unique look...different from all the others.

BD

Fuzzy Dice, mud flaps and Aunt Nelly riding shot gun!!

I'm staying with the wide whites after seeing Mike's Photoshop. JKL

Dan,

You saw Henry's line-up at Knotts. Each car took on a life and spirit of their own; your car had that classic Hollywood & Vine look.
The whitewalls fit that car's color, interior and top selection perfectly.

Under the skin breathes a healthy sports car, and in your garage late at night, you have your vision of that sports car.

I think everyone here is wowed, in some way, by how cool something seemingly dated and uncool (at one time)can look 'so right'

You have a win/win situation in front of you. Quit worrying. Give the whitewalls to Vince, he needs them for his 912.

I would say keep them, even thou i'm not a big fan of WW but they do look good ont hat car..

But if you are really questioning them.. and have some $$ to have the wheels Re&Red so the black wall is facing out just to see what it'll be like... OR borrow a set from someone locally to try out :)
Just a option :)

Dan; I had a chance to really get a close look at your car in Dixon at the barbque on Dales front lawn. I vote for the white walls clasic look , dated for sure but, you are driving a dated classic icon. I'm sure when it comes time to but new rubber you can try out the black walls. Then again you might be used to the white walls and may seem funny without them. Just my two cents. Its really very clean classic, enjoy the ride dude, thats what these cars are all about. Sweeeeeet.

I know the whitewalls seem to take away something from the sporty nature of the car, but the colors and features of the car seem to scream for the wide whitewalls, they go well with the classic color of the car, the beatiful steering wheel, over riders, etc... I think they set the car apart from the crowd.

Personally, I think they only work well with White or Ivory exterior colors, which you have. I say wait a while and see if they grow on you. Or , get a separate set of wheels with the blackwalls and put the whitewalls on for car shows....

Dan - sorry to be a luke warm supporter but I'm old enough to have seen factory Speedsters and I don't remember any with white walls that weren't owned by a hair dresser or a movie starlet. So origional no, authentic no, but having said that I do think that the look works with your cars color and ambience. So, it's not my taste but it is unique and effective, although a little on the sweet side.

I've seen some Pre-As with WWWs.

My best friend had a Speedster in 1968 with WWWs. I thought is was the coolest car ever built.

I remember reading that you could order wide white wall tires, either dealer or factory. I like them but on my black car, they may miss the mark. As soon as I get the red stripe tires, ala TR-6 and GTO I will post the pics. You could also get CHROME bumpers from the factory!

They were a factory option:

members.aol.com/Porchrat/356-AAccessoriesLATE.html

Dan, It goes without saying for me. Our car was the "seed" for the tire selection on your new IM Roadster. Fine choice!
Rick