Studebaker Avanti Tires

Studebaker Avanti uses one tire size in the 1963 and 1964 model years: 670-15. All listed products for Studebaker Avanti in that size are built for a 15-inch rim, and the available tires are bias-ply designs offered in several sidewall styles and series. Depending on the specific tire, listed rim widths include 4.00-4.50, 4.50-5.00, 5.00, and 5.00-6.00.

That makes Studebaker Avanti simpler than many collector cars from the same era, but wheel details still matter. Confirm that the car still carries 15-inch wheels, then compare the wheel width on the car to the rim-width range shown for the tire you are considering. After that, the choice usually comes down to appearance and intended use, such as blackwall versus whitewall and standard passenger-car bias-ply versus a heavier-duty specialty pattern.

On Studebaker Avanti, 670-15 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 670 is the nominal section width with the decimal omitted, so it represents roughly 6.70 inches, and the 15 is the rim diameter in inches. That format is typical of mid-century American bias-ply sizing and differs from later metric radial sizing.

Understanding that code helps you avoid mixing eras or constructions when replacing tires on Studebaker Avanti. A modern-looking size code may fit a different kind of wheel and change the car’s appearance, while the 670-15 format keeps you in the correct period family. Once you have the size confirmed, the next step is choosing the right rim-width match and the sidewall presentation that suits your restoration or driving goals.

Every listed Studebaker Avanti tire in 670-15 is a bias-ply tire, and for this size and construction type a tube is required. That applies across the blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options in the available classic bias-ply series. The tube requirement follows the construction style rather than the sidewall appearance.

When fitting tires to Studebaker Avanti, plan the tire, tube, and wheel condition as one system rather than treating the tube as an afterthought. The wheel should be clean, true, and appropriate for the rim-width range of the tire you choose. If the car has been sitting for a long time or has older wheels, it is wise to have the wheels inspected before mounting fresh tires and tubes.

Studebaker Avanti uses 670-15 for both 1963 and 1964, so the size itself is straightforward. The more important checks are whether the car still has its 15-inch wheels and whether the wheel width suits the tire you want, since listed products in this size span several rim-width recommendations. All of the available choices are bias-ply construction.

A good approach is to verify the year, inspect the wheel stamping or measure the wheel, and then match that information to the tire’s listed rim-width range. That is especially useful on a collector car that may have changed wheels during its life. Once the wheel details are settled, you can narrow the choice by sidewall style and by whether you want a more standard passenger-car presentation or a specialty heavy-duty pattern.

Studebaker Avanti tires in 670-15 are available as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs. The product range includes several whitewall widths, from slim 1-inch styles to broader period-style whitewalls, along with blackwall options for a more restrained appearance. Those choices appear across multiple brands and classic bias-ply series.

Sidewall style has a major effect on how Studebaker Avanti presents visually, especially because the car’s styling is so distinctive. Buyers restoring a specific period look should compare the whitewall width on the tire to period photos, original paperwork, or marque-club guidance for their car. If the goal is a cleaner or more understated presentation, blackwall remains a historically appropriate way to preserve the bias-ply stance without the stronger visual emphasis of a whitewall.

Studebaker Avanti tires in 670-15 are offered by Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Goodyear, Avon, and STA. Those products span several classic bias-ply series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, and Super Transport.

Brand choice on Studebaker Avanti often comes down to restoration character, preferred sidewall look, and the exact series you want rather than a basic fitment difference. Some buyers prioritize a familiar period American brand name, while others focus on a particular tread style or whitewall width. Comparing the brand, series, sidewall, and rim-width specification together will usually tell you more than looking at the brand name alone.

Studebaker Avanti tires are available in several distinct series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Excelsior Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, and Super Transport. All are bias-ply constructions in the 670-15 family, but they differ in branding, tread family, sidewall presentation, and in some cases rim-width or load specification details.

That means the right series for Studebaker Avanti depends on what you are trying to preserve. A concours-minded restoration may favor a specific visual style, while a driver-focused car may place more emphasis on matching the wheel correctly and choosing a tread family you prefer. Review the series name together with the sidewall style, load figure where listed, and rim-width recommendation so the final choice supports both the car’s look and its intended use.

Studebaker Avanti should be stored on a clean, dry surface away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and ozone sources that can age rubber prematurely. Bias-ply tires also benefit from being kept at correct inflation during storage so the casing is not left underinflated for long periods. If the car will sit for an extended time, moving it occasionally can help avoid prolonged flat spotting.

Collector cars such as Studebaker Avanti often spend far more time parked than driven, so storage habits have an outsized effect on tire life. Keep the car in a stable environment, inspect the sidewalls regularly, and avoid letting old fuel, leaking fluids, or harsh cleaners contact the rubber. If the car is stored for a season at a time, many owners combine tire checks with battery and brake inspections so the whole car is ready when it returns to use.

Tires on Studebaker Avanti should be inspected before every drive and more thoroughly at regular service intervals, even if the car only covers limited mileage. With a collector car running bias-ply tires, that inspection should include air pressure, visible cracking, cuts, bulges, tread condition, valve stems, and any signs of uneven wear. Wheels and tubes also deserve attention whenever a tire is dismounted.

Low annual mileage can create a false sense of security, because age and storage conditions matter as much as tread depth on Studebaker Avanti. A quick visual check before driving can catch issues early, while a more deliberate inspection at least seasonally helps track changes over time. If the car has been parked for months, inspect the tires before moving it at speed rather than assuming they are ready because they looked fine when stored.

Studebaker Avanti tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, bulges, repeated air loss, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, especially on vehicles that see occasional use. Bias-ply tires deserve especially close attention because visual condition can change gradually over long storage periods.

The practical rule for Studebaker Avanti is to judge the tire as a time-sensitive component, not just a wear item. If there is any doubt about the casing, sidewall flexibility, or how long the tires have been in service, have them evaluated by a specialist familiar with vintage tires and wheels. Replacing an aged tire before it fails is far easier on the car, the wheel, and the owner than dealing with a failure on a low-production collector automobile.

Studebaker Avanti uses the 670-15 size in the 1963 and 1964 model years, and the available replacement families for that size include a wide range of classic bias-ply series and sidewall styles. Those include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices across brands such as Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA.

For an exact factory-authentic restoration of Studebaker Avanti, size alone is only the first step. The next questions are the sidewall treatment, the visual profile you want, and whether you are trying to match a specific period presentation. Original paperwork, period photography, and marque-club research are the best references for narrowing that choice from the broad set of correct-era bias-ply replacements available in 670-15.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how a Studebaker Avanti is judged and how seriously the restoration is taken. Even when the size is right, details such as sidewall style, whitewall width, overall period look, and whether the tire construction matches the era can influence the car’s presentation. On a design-led car like the Avanti, those visual details are especially noticeable.

For value and judging purposes, the best result usually comes from treating tires as part of the restoration rather than as a generic maintenance item. Compare the car to period photos, sales literature, and marque-club guidance before choosing between blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. A tire that fits physically but looks out of character can stand out just as much as an incorrect trim detail on a well-restored Studebaker Avanti.

Studebaker Avanti restoration choices in 670-15 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall tires. Each style was part of the broader early-1960s American tire landscape, and the available range includes everything from slim 1-inch whitewalls to much broader whitewall treatments. All of the listed options remain within the correct period bias-ply family for Studebaker Avanti.

The right sidewall for Studebaker Avanti depends on the exact look you are restoring. A blackwall can give the car a more restrained and performance-oriented appearance, while a narrow or wide whitewall changes the visual emphasis dramatically. If authenticity is the priority, compare the intended tire to period images of your car’s configuration and use marque-specific references to decide which whitewall width, if any, best suits the restoration.

A correctly fitted, properly mounted, and well-maintained bias-ply tire can be appropriate for public-road use on Studebaker Avanti when the rest of the car is also in sound condition. The available 670-15 options are all period-style bias-ply tires, so they should be matched to suitable 15-inch wheels and used with the expectations that come with vintage construction. Tire age, condition, inflation, wheel condition, alignment, and brake performance all matter.

Safety on Studebaker Avanti starts with the whole vehicle, not the tire alone. Before regular road use, make sure the tires are fresh enough, the tubes and wheels are correct, and the suspension and steering have been inspected. A collector car can feel stable in casual use yet still be compromised by old rubber, poor wheel condition, or deferred chassis maintenance, so roadworthiness should be evaluated as a complete system.

Before driving Studebaker Avanti, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether each tire is seated properly on the wheel. Because all listed tires are bias-ply 670-15 designs, it is also wise to keep an eye on wheel condition and any vibration that could point to mounting, balance, or tube-related issues. A quick walkaround can reveal more than many owners expect.

That pre-drive habit is especially worthwhile on a collector Studebaker Avanti that may sit between outings. Also check brakes, steering response, fluid leaks, and whether the car tracks normally in the first few miles. If anything feels different from the car’s usual behavior, stop and inspect it rather than trying to drive through the problem, because small tire or wheel issues on a vintage car can become larger ones quickly.

Studebaker Avanti should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition of its tires, wheels, suspension, and brakes, with special respect for the characteristics of bias-ply construction. Even though the Avanti was a serious performance car for its time, a period-style 670-15 bias-ply tire will not behave like a modern radial in tracking, cornering feel, or recovery from road irregularities. The actual safe pace depends on the condition of the complete car, not just the tread depth.

The smart approach with Studebaker Avanti is to drive within the comfort zone of the car as presently equipped and to increase speed only after careful evaluation. Fresh, properly fitted tires on straight wheels are only part of the equation; alignment, steering, shocks, and brake condition matter just as much. If the car is newly restored or newly acquired, begin with shorter, lower-speed drives until you understand how it behaves.