I was referring to newer BMWs and Mercedes with the bargain basement tires I frequently see on them. Though the one posted earlier likely has white walls because they were the cheapest thing that could be found in a size that fit.
Some of these people actually LEASE their tires and wheels. Oy. Every time I see a cool old car decked out like this on Craigslist, I want to ask the buyer if he can keep the wheels and just give me the car. 🙂
I haven’t heard them recently but there used to be pretty frequent ads on the radio for Rent & Roll a tire and wheel rental place. It’s not just for individuals though, when they sell the retired Metro buses around here it is w/o the tires as they lease them. They will tell you the buyout on them and you can purchase them from their owner separately.
In some communities, you gain status (and women*) through outward flash. In places where the prospect of owning actual wealth (homes, stocks, retirement funds, etc) seems downright impossible and where displaying what little wealth you have in the flashiest manner possible is what’s expected and respected, it makes sense. Nevertheless, the phrase “blowing money fast” applies to just about every area, from the “ghettos” to the trailer parks and corporate boardrooms.
Judging by the wheel choice and the neighborhood, I think that Ranchero is owned by some young suburban guy who thought his would look cool with some gaudy AMG-ish 20-inchers.
I always chuckle when I see a car like this – what exactly is the thought process when one puts money into the wheels when the paint looks like it does? Whatever it is, it seems to be a widespread disease.
I’m convinced these kids who put on 22s just need a little education. Take that same beautiful Ranchero, slap on a set of 15×7 American Racing or Cragar SS rims, a nice set of blackwalls and try telling me that doesn’t look a whole lot better.
The 15s with the taller tires just look so right and of course you don’t have to worry about a rough ride or hitting a pothole. Maybe the 22s second hand are cheaper than a proper set of old-school 15s.
What the wheel manufacturers need to do though is come up with a 16 inch size in those repro vintage rims. The tire would still be a tall 65 series and look right, not too much change. But there would be a ton more selection in good performing tires. In something like a 235/70R15 blackwall, these days the only choice is a SUV/crossover M+S tire. No good summer tires at all.
A set of Magnum 500 wheels would really transform the Ranchero. Those are now available in 16s, but I’m guessing aren’t cheap.
Yes you couldn’t be more right! I’ve got 235 mud and snow tires on my Parisienne right now and with spring coming I’m really trying to find something more suitable, But it’s proving Difficult. I wonder if decades ago guys started having trouble finding suitable 14 inch tires for their fifties cars …
The modern equivalent of the optional 70 series tires for these would be 195 or 205/70-14 which are a ~ 25″ +/- diameter, a 28″ 235/70-15 in those wheel wells would look about as silly as what is on there now if you could get them to fit. A 235/60-15 might fit but a 215/60-15 would be closest to the stock diameter.
If you are OK with the old standby the Radial T/A they still make those in sizes for the 60’s and 70’s era vehicles including most of the sizes mentioned above. Of course those are white letter but you can always turn them in.
In addition Khumo and General still make all-season touring tires in that size.
235/70R15 is a size I have in mind for my Fleetwood Brougham if I go wider rims down the road. I think the Ranchero could pull off 15″ wheels just fine (14″ look a little small to me) but the tire should be 235/60R15 max. That would be a good 4″ shorter than the spinner rims shown.
On my Brougham I think 16″ would look OK but feel 17″ is pushing it.
I did some research on this a couple years ago. You can get a Toyo Extensa A/S in many common 14″-15″ sizes. A modern mid-range all-season, works for me as I’m unlikely to autocross this thing. A step up from the el cheapos that are mostly what you’ll be offered in these sizes these days. These were made in Japan, many sizes are now made in Toyo’s Georgia plant, if that’s an issue.
Amazing that we put 14″ tires on Muscle Cars. Thankfully BF Goodrich still makes a decent T/A in a 70/14. Anything shorter looks awkward….I put 60/14s on a 72 and I never liked them. But are correct for a Miata.
This Lincoln I found on eBay actually looks pretty good….just a couple inches smaller!
Those are some ugly wheels. They look like spinner rims with the spinning part removed! That Ranchero would look pretty good without them, primer patches or no primer patches.
Speaking of spinners I saw the first set in a long time on a late 1997-2000ish F150 and they actually still had good working bearings in them, they continued to spin until the light changed and weren’t wobbling. First time I’ve seen a set in years particularly ones that weren’t all messed up.
It is amazing how much I have come to like the color on this car. In the 70s, I could not escape it, as my 67 Galaxie 500 convertible and my 68 Mustang were this color – Lime Gold Metallic. I hated it. I guess absence (or 20 years of gray and beige cars) really does make the heart grow fonder.
This car is actually an art piece that was featured at the Eugene MoMA in an exhibit called “form versus function”. In this case, they took an inherently utilitarian classic vehicle juxtaposed with grotesquely gaudy Chinese AMG rip-off “dubz” from Pep Boyz and painted it the color of vomit that comes out of your mouth when looking at it.
Can’t remember anyone doing much anything with this year Ranchero. At least it’s still running. May not have a transmission for long if they actually do anything but pose.
Way down here yonder in Ultra Violet Land, when a car has had a set of wheels like that put on it is called a “DONK”. I saw a 1967 Buick Riviera recently that had been fitted with 26 inchers and had a lovely emerald green paint job from Maaco. My belief is that “donk” is short for what the owner most definitely resembles.
Hi, my name’s Scott, and I have a confession to make. Today, dear CC friends, I’m going to be the lone voice in the wilderness who actually likes those rims on the Ranchero. I know, I’m ashamed of me too.
On a serious note, I’d never own a set of wheels that large myself, as I like ride comfort, lots of lovely ride comfort. And I imagine they do horrible things to wheel bearings etc. But I do like the look of them – within reason. Some of Chip Foose’s restomods look amazing on their big wheels, they seem to gain a whole new masculinity and toughness!
As much as I despise restomods, I don’t think this crowd’s that judgmental. Oh, and to continue your theme, another confession: I don’t even own a car at the moment, taking public transport to work each day–Melbourne trams at $4 a pop (which could spawn CCs of their own, incidentally).
If I did, though, and had my choice of ride, it’d probably be a ’70 Chrysler 300 Hurst, which might find even less acceptance round these parts than a Ranchero on ‘dubs’!
With one of these as a daily driver, I would be one of your biggest fans! As for wheels, I would go with raised white letter Goodrich T/As on Mopar Road Wheels. My car-mentor Howard had a black 72 Newport 2 door with no vinyl roof. He also had a Dodge Royal Sportsman van. The van kept flipping its wheelcovers into ditches, so Howard bought a set of aluminum slotted mags and 70 series white-letter T/As. One day he swapped wheels between the van and the Chrysler. That big black Newport with those tires and wheels looked menacing as hell. I wish I had a picture of it. If I ever got a car like that, I would try to replicate that look.
Anything would be an improvement on those wagonwheels, I saw a mint XY Falcon ute at a gas station beautifull except for the 22s it had on
I see this many times….. $500.00 car with $2,500.00+ wheels and tires. I’d love to see a brain scan of this thought process.
Then on the other end of the spectrum you have the BMW posted earlier and so many other high end cars that get the cheapest tires the owner can find.
Those rims will no doubt have the cheapest tires to be had – or were you referring to new model BMWs with $60 specials?
I was referring to newer BMWs and Mercedes with the bargain basement tires I frequently see on them. Though the one posted earlier likely has white walls because they were the cheapest thing that could be found in a size that fit.
Form over function. The same thing that makes women wear high heels or rich people buy Ferraris.
Some of these people actually LEASE their tires and wheels. Oy. Every time I see a cool old car decked out like this on Craigslist, I want to ask the buyer if he can keep the wheels and just give me the car. 🙂
I haven’t heard them recently but there used to be pretty frequent ads on the radio for Rent & Roll a tire and wheel rental place. It’s not just for individuals though, when they sell the retired Metro buses around here it is w/o the tires as they lease them. They will tell you the buyout on them and you can purchase them from their owner separately.
In some communities, you gain status (and women*) through outward flash. In places where the prospect of owning actual wealth (homes, stocks, retirement funds, etc) seems downright impossible and where displaying what little wealth you have in the flashiest manner possible is what’s expected and respected, it makes sense. Nevertheless, the phrase “blowing money fast” applies to just about every area, from the “ghettos” to the trailer parks and corporate boardrooms.
Judging by the wheel choice and the neighborhood, I think that Ranchero is owned by some young suburban guy who thought his would look cool with some gaudy AMG-ish 20-inchers.
*Didn’t say what quality of women, though.
I think you are the owner
I always chuckle when I see a car like this – what exactly is the thought process when one puts money into the wheels when the paint looks like it does? Whatever it is, it seems to be a widespread disease.
I’m convinced these kids who put on 22s just need a little education. Take that same beautiful Ranchero, slap on a set of 15×7 American Racing or Cragar SS rims, a nice set of blackwalls and try telling me that doesn’t look a whole lot better.
The 15s with the taller tires just look so right and of course you don’t have to worry about a rough ride or hitting a pothole. Maybe the 22s second hand are cheaper than a proper set of old-school 15s.
What the wheel manufacturers need to do though is come up with a 16 inch size in those repro vintage rims. The tire would still be a tall 65 series and look right, not too much change. But there would be a ton more selection in good performing tires. In something like a 235/70R15 blackwall, these days the only choice is a SUV/crossover M+S tire. No good summer tires at all.
A set of Magnum 500 wheels would really transform the Ranchero. Those are now available in 16s, but I’m guessing aren’t cheap.
In something like a 235/70R15 blackwall, these days the only choice is a SUV/crossover M+S tire. No good summer tires at all.
Yes, just ask B-Body owners.
Yes you couldn’t be more right! I’ve got 235 mud and snow tires on my Parisienne right now and with spring coming I’m really trying to find something more suitable, But it’s proving Difficult. I wonder if decades ago guys started having trouble finding suitable 14 inch tires for their fifties cars …
As I noted below you can get the old hot rodder stand by, the Radial T/A in an appropriate sized 70 series and a couple others too.
The modern equivalent of the optional 70 series tires for these would be 195 or 205/70-14 which are a ~ 25″ +/- diameter, a 28″ 235/70-15 in those wheel wells would look about as silly as what is on there now if you could get them to fit. A 235/60-15 might fit but a 215/60-15 would be closest to the stock diameter.
If you are OK with the old standby the Radial T/A they still make those in sizes for the 60’s and 70’s era vehicles including most of the sizes mentioned above. Of course those are white letter but you can always turn them in.
In addition Khumo and General still make all-season touring tires in that size.
235/70R15 is a size I have in mind for my Fleetwood Brougham if I go wider rims down the road. I think the Ranchero could pull off 15″ wheels just fine (14″ look a little small to me) but the tire should be 235/60R15 max. That would be a good 4″ shorter than the spinner rims shown.
On my Brougham I think 16″ would look OK but feel 17″ is pushing it.
You shouldn’t need wider wheels to go to 235/70 their minimum recommended wheel width is 6″.
I did some research on this a couple years ago. You can get a Toyo Extensa A/S in many common 14″-15″ sizes. A modern mid-range all-season, works for me as I’m unlikely to autocross this thing. A step up from the el cheapos that are mostly what you’ll be offered in these sizes these days. These were made in Japan, many sizes are now made in Toyo’s Georgia plant, if that’s an issue.
And if you want blackwalls, flip them over. 🙂
$147 ea for 16″ Magnums. 25 lbs.! I never paid attention to wheel weight till I got a Miata>>>>NEVER go over 15 lbs. per wheel. The unsprung weight kills handling.
http://onlyoldiesgarage.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16781
Amazing that we put 14″ tires on Muscle Cars. Thankfully BF Goodrich still makes a decent T/A in a 70/14. Anything shorter looks awkward….I put 60/14s on a 72 and I never liked them. But are correct for a Miata.
This Lincoln I found on eBay actually looks pretty good….just a couple inches smaller!
There is not much to choose from in anything under 17 inches now.
Yup, I went up to 17″ for the summer tires for my wife’s Panther to be able to get good summer (Ultra high performance) tires for it.
Yea, on my Electra the options these days are pretty much the cheapest stuff China can push out or some 1-in whitewalls from Coker.
Those are some ugly wheels. They look like spinner rims with the spinning part removed! That Ranchero would look pretty good without them, primer patches or no primer patches.
Speaking of spinners I saw the first set in a long time on a late 1997-2000ish F150 and they actually still had good working bearings in them, they continued to spin until the light changed and weren’t wobbling. First time I’ve seen a set in years particularly ones that weren’t all messed up.
It is amazing how much I have come to like the color on this car. In the 70s, I could not escape it, as my 67 Galaxie 500 convertible and my 68 Mustang were this color – Lime Gold Metallic. I hated it. I guess absence (or 20 years of gray and beige cars) really does make the heart grow fonder.
This is actually pretty restrained compared to what I normally see done to B and G-bodies around here.
This car is actually an art piece that was featured at the Eugene MoMA in an exhibit called “form versus function”. In this case, they took an inherently utilitarian classic vehicle juxtaposed with grotesquely gaudy Chinese AMG rip-off “dubz” from Pep Boyz and painted it the color of vomit that comes out of your mouth when looking at it.
This is either brilliant humor or just Eugene being Eugene. Not sure which.
Can’t remember anyone doing much anything with this year Ranchero. At least it’s still running. May not have a transmission for long if they actually do anything but pose.
“May not have a transmission for long if they actually do anything but pose.”
??? The C6 is extremely stout w/ a 390 or 428.
Way down here yonder in Ultra Violet Land, when a car has had a set of wheels like that put on it is called a “DONK”. I saw a 1967 Buick Riviera recently that had been fitted with 26 inchers and had a lovely emerald green paint job from Maaco. My belief is that “donk” is short for what the owner most definitely resembles.
This is pretty common in the snow-and-hoes district of Minneapolis, too. Often with Illinois plates, and often pulled over by State Police.
The body shake when that thing hits a pothole must register on the Richter scale.
Hi, my name’s Scott, and I have a confession to make. Today, dear CC friends, I’m going to be the lone voice in the wilderness who actually likes those rims on the Ranchero. I know, I’m ashamed of me too.
On a serious note, I’d never own a set of wheels that large myself, as I like ride comfort, lots of lovely ride comfort. And I imagine they do horrible things to wheel bearings etc. But I do like the look of them – within reason. Some of Chip Foose’s restomods look amazing on their big wheels, they seem to gain a whole new masculinity and toughness!
As much as I despise restomods, I don’t think this crowd’s that judgmental. Oh, and to continue your theme, another confession: I don’t even own a car at the moment, taking public transport to work each day–Melbourne trams at $4 a pop (which could spawn CCs of their own, incidentally).
If I did, though, and had my choice of ride, it’d probably be a ’70 Chrysler 300 Hurst, which might find even less acceptance round these parts than a Ranchero on ‘dubs’!
With one of these as a daily driver, I would be one of your biggest fans! As for wheels, I would go with raised white letter Goodrich T/As on Mopar Road Wheels. My car-mentor Howard had a black 72 Newport 2 door with no vinyl roof. He also had a Dodge Royal Sportsman van. The van kept flipping its wheelcovers into ditches, so Howard bought a set of aluminum slotted mags and 70 series white-letter T/As. One day he swapped wheels between the van and the Chrysler. That big black Newport with those tires and wheels looked menacing as hell. I wish I had a picture of it. If I ever got a car like that, I would try to replicate that look.
Love this Ranchero! R code with 14″ whitewall tires 😉
Can’t go wrong with BF G T/As.
Do you own this ranchero?