1961 Studebaker Lark Tires

A 1961 Studebaker Lark can use 600-15, 6.50-15, or 670-15 tires, depending on the exact sub-model. All three are bias-ply fitments for 15-inch wheels, so the main fitment question is not rim diameter but which of those three sizes belongs on your particular Lark configuration.

Several six-cylinder, wagon, convertible, and eight-cylinder versions are associated with different size combinations, so it helps to confirm the sub-model first and then inspect the wheels currently on the car. If the car has been modified over the years, compare the existing wheel width and tire size before choosing a replacement.

The 1961 Studebaker Lark uses 15-inch rims with its primary tire sizes. That applies across the 600-15, 6.50-15, and 670-15 fitments, all of which are built around a 15-inch wheel diameter even though the section width and vehicle application differ.

Knowing the rim diameter is only the first check. Wheel width still matters, especially if the car no longer has its original wheels or if you are comparing a radial-equivalent option for a 600-15 or 670-15 application. Measuring the wheel and confirming the current setup will help narrow the choice before moving on to sidewall style or brand.

The 1961 Studebaker Lark appears in several sub-models, including six-cylinder, eight-cylinder, wagon, and convertible versions, and those configurations are associated with different primary tire sizes. That is why 600-15, 6.50-15, and 670-15 all appear within the overall Lark fitment range.

For a buyer, that means the first step is identifying the exact Lark sub-model rather than picking a tire by year and model alone. It is also smart to look at the wheels and tires already on the car, since decades of service, restoration work, or owner changes may have altered what is mounted now.

On a 1961 Studebaker Lark, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the classic numeric sizing format common to the period, and the available 670-15 products are bias-ply tires offered in several sidewall styles and series for owners who want to stay with a traditional construction.

A radial path does exist, but it comes through equivalent sizes rather than by changing the meaning of 670-15 itself. If you are comparing a radial alternative, keep the wheel diameter, wheel width, and body clearance in mind so the choice supports the way the car is set up and driven.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. The recommended rim-width range connected to these equivalents is 5 to 7 inches.

Those sizes give a buyer several ways to approach a radial conversion, from a more conventional metric radial to a bias-look radial that keeps a more vintage presentation. The right choice still depends on the wheel width on the car, the available clearance, and whether the goal is restoration-oriented appearance or a different road-use setup.

Start by confirming which primary size your 1961 Studebaker Lark uses, because radial equivalents are tied to specific bias-ply sizes. For example, 600-15 and 670-15 have explicit radial-equivalent options, while the wheel diameter remains 15 inches and rim-width compatibility should be checked before any change in construction.

A careful conversion also includes verifying the actual wheel width, checking fender and steering clearance, and comparing the car's present stance and suspension condition. Many Larks have seen wheel changes or restoration work over the years, so the safest approach is to treat radial equivalency as a useful alternative sizing guide rather than an automatic interchange.

Begin with fitment and purpose. A 670-15 tire for a 1961 Studebaker Lark should match the sub-model and wheel setup on the car, then the decision moves to bias-ply construction, rim-width compatibility, and the visual style you want, such as blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall.

This size also brings the widest product variety, including Firestone, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Coker Classic, Avon, and STA offerings across several tire series. That makes 670-15 a size where brand character, sidewall treatment, and intended use all matter once the basic fitment has been confirmed.

Sidewall choices for 1961 Studebaker Lark tires include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the size and product selected. The 600-15 offerings include blackwall and wide whitewall, while 670-15 has the broadest spread of blackwall, narrow whitewall, and multiple wide whitewall treatments.

That matters because sidewall style changes the personality of the car even when the tire size stays the same. A blackwall tends to look plainer and more restrained, while narrow or wide whitewalls push the Lark toward a more restoration-oriented presentation. The best choice is the one that suits your sub-model, era preference, and planned road use.

Brands available across 1961 Studebaker Lark tire fitments include BFGoodrich, Firestone, US Royal, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, Coker Classic, and STA. Most of that variety appears in 670-15, while 600-15 is represented by BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should come after size and wheel compatibility are settled. Once the correct fitment is confirmed, compare the available series, sidewall treatment, and any rim-width or load details that matter to the way the car will be used. A period-style restoration may point in one direction, while a driver-quality Lark may point in another.

A period-style 1961 Studebaker Lark usually starts with the correct primary bias-ply size for the exact sub-model, whether that is 600-15, 6.50-15, or 670-15. From there, the best match depends on the look you want, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options available in the sizes that have product coverage.

For many restorations, staying with bias-ply construction helps preserve the car's vintage visual character. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, the final sidewall and brand decision should be checked against marque references, build history, or other vehicle-specific documentation rather than chosen by appearance alone.

Tire construction changes the overall presentation of a restored 1961 Studebaker Lark even before the car moves. Bias-ply tires carry the traditional sizing format and vintage profile associated with the era, while a radial equivalent can change the visual impression even when it is chosen to stay within a similar general fitment range.

That does not make one construction universally right or wrong. A restoration-oriented car often leans toward bias-ply for period character, while a regularly driven Lark may lead an owner to consider a radial alternative where one exists. The key is deciding whether appearance, road-use preference, or a balance of both is driving the choice.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1961 Studebaker Lark even when the nominal size looks correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered suspension height, brake conversions, or bodywork can influence which of the Lark's bias-ply sizes still makes sense on the actual car.

That is especially important on a vehicle with several possible primary sizes. Checking the current wheel diameter and width, then inspecting steering and fender clearance, helps prevent choosing a tire only by catalog fitment. A modified Lark should always be evaluated by its present setup rather than by year and model alone.

Before driving a 1961 Studebaker Lark on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are properly seated and inflated, and check for adequate clearance at the fenders and steering components. It also helps to verify that the selected size matches the sub-model and current wheel setup.

A short shakedown drive is a smart next step, followed by another look at air pressure and any signs of rubbing or uneven contact. On a collector car, suspension wear, loose steering parts, or alignment issues can show up quickly once fresh tires are installed, so the tire change should be part of a broader roadworthiness check.

670-15 tires on a collector 1961 Studebaker Lark should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Look over the tread and sidewalls for cracking, cuts, bulges, or uneven wear, and pay attention to air loss if the car sits for long periods between drives.

Collector vehicles often age their tires by time and storage conditions as much as by mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, while periodic movement and inspection make it easier to catch issues before a longer drive or seasonal road use.