18/19
Thanks Lui, Panterror, & JTPantera. That was exactly what I was looking for.
I received a Christmas card from Pantera Performance in Castle Rock, Colorado a couple years ago with a Pantera running some really big shoes. I don't remember how big the wheels and tires were but I remember thinking that the cars midsection (cockpit area)looked like it sat really high. It had a pretty large front air damn which was low to the ground but being either a GTS or narrow body there were no ground effects in the cockpit area to make it appear lower.
I was concerned that 18" front wheels and 19" rear wheels may give you that same high cockpit look. However, from the pictures posted I don't see that with the 18's and 19's. Thanks for posting.
I will see if I can find that Christmas card (I probably tossed it) so I can post it.
Devin
I received a Christmas card from Pantera Performance in Castle Rock, Colorado a couple years ago with a Pantera running some really big shoes. I don't remember how big the wheels and tires were but I remember thinking that the cars midsection (cockpit area)looked like it sat really high. It had a pretty large front air damn which was low to the ground but being either a GTS or narrow body there were no ground effects in the cockpit area to make it appear lower.
I was concerned that 18" front wheels and 19" rear wheels may give you that same high cockpit look. However, from the pictures posted I don't see that with the 18's and 19's. Thanks for posting.
I will see if I can find that Christmas card (I probably tossed it) so I can post it.
Devin
The front & rear wheel arches & chassis of each Pantera model are designed for tires of specific diameters.
In this picture 6018 had 18" front tires (245/35ZR18) 20" rear tires (325/25ZR20). It has an Amerisport front spoiler. The lower rear control arms are level with the road, notice how well the rear tires are centered in the rear wheel arches with the control arms set that way. The front end has been lowered until the chassis is level. Since the difference in tire diameter front to rear is 1.65" (less than 2") the front tires are not centered in the front wheel arches, the tops of the wheel arches overlap the tops of the front tires. But I don't think anyone would accuse 6018 of looking too high, which is why I'm replying to your post.
If the back tires had been a little larger in diameter, closer to 27" OD, they would have filled the rear wheel arches even better than the 325's did, the rear of the car would have been higher, to level the chassis would have required raising the front of the car. That would have centered the front tires in the front wheel arches better. And the diameter of both sets of tires, front & rear, would have filled the wheel arches relatively evenly. After that, you have to consider wheel off-sets, not only for suspension geometry & rubbing concerns, but for cosmetic concerns too. You want both sets of tires to be inset from the edge of the fenders about the same. Otherwise it looks wrong. Looking at the side view of 6018, the front tires are inset more than the rear tires.
Regarding wide bodies, the ideal cosmetic "stance" of Group 4 replicas are similar to narrow body Panteras. BUT ... GT5 & GT5-S Panteras need front & rear tires which are closer to 24" diameter front & 24.5" diameter rear, because that's how the wheel arches were designed. But its not possible to find modern tires in such small diameter. So with the GT5 & 5-S don't lock yourself into the frame of mind looking for the widest tires, balance that with tire diameter. You're gonna want front tires in the 24.5" to 25" diameter range, and rear tires that are 1/2" larger in diameter than the fronts.
-G
Attachments
George,
Thanks for the picture and the great wealth of information. I agree that your car doesn't appear to sit too high. Those 20's in the rear really do fit the rear wheel well arch nicely. I never would have noticed the slight off center of the front wheels without you pointing them out.
I have searched high and low for the Christmas card that had the Pantera on it that appeared to be sitting too high, but I have not had any luck.
Thanks again for all the advice and information. It is much appreciated.
Devin
Thanks for the picture and the great wealth of information. I agree that your car doesn't appear to sit too high. Those 20's in the rear really do fit the rear wheel well arch nicely. I never would have noticed the slight off center of the front wheels without you pointing them out.
I have searched high and low for the Christmas card that had the Pantera on it that appeared to be sitting too high, but I have not had any luck.
Thanks again for all the advice and information. It is much appreciated.
Devin
Call me old fashioned but I think the designer got it right with the wheel size relative to the body proportions. It's too bad that 15 inch tires are very limited but to my eye, much bigger wheels make the cars look a bit cartoonish. Having said that, these things are individual choices which I respect.
Another picture request...
Anyone have a side profile picture of a Pantera running both 18" front and 18" rear wheels?
Once again, thanks in advance.
Devin
Anyone have a side profile picture of a Pantera running both 18" front and 18" rear wheels?
Once again, thanks in advance.
Devin
quote:Originally posted by Robbie:
Call me old fashioned but I think the designer got it right with the wheel size relative to the body proportions. It's too bad that 15 inch tires are very limited but to my eye, much bigger wheels make the cars look a bit cartoonish. Having said that, these things are individual choices which I respect.
I agree. It's like me with purple hair, piercings and tatoos. It just doesn't make any sense at all?
quote:It's like me with purple hair, piercings and tatoos.
Doug -
I wouldn't want to see you in that condition. I'll bet you look bad enough as it is...
Panterror,
What width of wheels and tire sizes are you running on your GTS?
Thanks.
Devin
What width of wheels and tire sizes are you running on your GTS?
Thanks.
Devin
quote:Originally posted by Garvino: Panterror, What width of wheels and tire sizes are you running on your GTS?
Thanks. Devin
Polished Kinesis K29s, 19”x 13” (6.5" backspacing) rear and 18” x 9.5” (5" backspacing) front.
Michelin Pilot Sport, 345/30/ZR19 Rear and 265/35/ZR18 front.
Best,
K
Panterror,
Wow - those rear wheels are wide. I bet they look awesome.
Thanks for the information.
Devin
Wow - those rear wheels are wide. I bet they look awesome.
Thanks for the information.
Devin
I have been married to long to answer a question like that.....
Very cool though.
Very cool though.
The last couple of weeks I have been checking the availability of various tire sizes for Panteras since I am looking to replace my wheels and tires.
I have looked at 17", staggered 17" & 18", 18", and staggered 18" & 19".
I have tried to compare all the various size combinations to this threads recommended tire diameter due to wheel arch and diameter size difference from front to back.
Interestingly, the tire combination with the biggest tire selection (based on my research on Tirerack and OnlineTire) is the following:
225/40/18 front
285/35/19 rear
The 225mm tire is 8.86 inches wide and 25.09 inches tall. The 285mm tire is 11.22 inches wide and 26.85 inches tall. These fall pretty close to the recommended specs on this thread:
Front tire diameter: 23.9" to 25.0"
Rear tire diameter: 25.9" to 27.0"
Recommended greater rear tire diameter size difference: 1.7" to 2.3"
I currently am running 17"s with a 9.25" front width and 12.4" rear width. I really like the wider widths but was very impressed with the amount of different tire brands availability in the above sizes.
Just thought I would share my findings so far.
Devin
I have looked at 17", staggered 17" & 18", 18", and staggered 18" & 19".
I have tried to compare all the various size combinations to this threads recommended tire diameter due to wheel arch and diameter size difference from front to back.
Interestingly, the tire combination with the biggest tire selection (based on my research on Tirerack and OnlineTire) is the following:
225/40/18 front
285/35/19 rear
The 225mm tire is 8.86 inches wide and 25.09 inches tall. The 285mm tire is 11.22 inches wide and 26.85 inches tall. These fall pretty close to the recommended specs on this thread:
Front tire diameter: 23.9" to 25.0"
Rear tire diameter: 25.9" to 27.0"
Recommended greater rear tire diameter size difference: 1.7" to 2.3"
I currently am running 17"s with a 9.25" front width and 12.4" rear width. I really like the wider widths but was very impressed with the amount of different tire brands availability in the above sizes.
Just thought I would share my findings so far.
Devin
Devin,
You'll also find there are a few different manufacturers that make the "Foose" combo (245/35-18 and 325/30-19). As far as I know, Pirelli, Michelin, Continental and Hankook all make matched sets of summer, ZR rated tires in these sizes.
You'll also find there are a few different manufacturers that make the "Foose" combo (245/35-18 and 325/30-19). As far as I know, Pirelli, Michelin, Continental and Hankook all make matched sets of summer, ZR rated tires in these sizes.
David,
I did notice that also. I just just was shocked by the enormous amount of brands/models available for the 225mm/285mm combo versus the 245mm/325mm combo.
I definitely like the 245mm/325mm combo better due to tire width, etc. They also fall within the recommended specs for appropriate sizing. However, after my current difficulty with my specific 17" tires being unattainable, my practical self says go with something that has a huge availability now so that in the future you don't have problems.
But then again who said owning a Pantera was ever practical? Thanks again - I appreciate all you help.
Devin
I did notice that also. I just just was shocked by the enormous amount of brands/models available for the 225mm/285mm combo versus the 245mm/325mm combo.
I definitely like the 245mm/325mm combo better due to tire width, etc. They also fall within the recommended specs for appropriate sizing. However, after my current difficulty with my specific 17" tires being unattainable, my practical self says go with something that has a huge availability now so that in the future you don't have problems.
But then again who said owning a Pantera was ever practical? Thanks again - I appreciate all you help.
Devin
Is there anyone using 18x9,5 wheels on a std. body Pantera? If so what offset are you using? Comments please.
Happy Holidays.
Mark
Happy Holidays.
Mark
quote:and retained the 205/60R15 fronts
I hope by that you mean you retained the size of the fronts and not the actual tires. If not, consider limiting your max speeds to something like 40 mph!