1963 Studebaker Avanti Tires

The 1963 Studebaker Avanti uses a 670-15 tire size as its primary fitment. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 15-inch rim, making it a distinctly vintage tire format rather than a modern metric radial size.

That means the first step is usually simple: confirm that the car still has its 15-inch wheels and has not been changed to an aftermarket wheel and tire package. Once that is verified, the decision shifts to selecting the right 670-15 bias-ply style or evaluating one of the available radial-equivalent alternatives with proper attention to wheel width and vehicle clearance.

The primary tire fitment for a 1963 Studebaker Avanti is built around a 15-inch rim diameter. That matches the 670-15 sizing format, where the final number identifies the wheel diameter the tire is designed to mount on.

Rim diameter should be confirmed before any tire purchase, especially on collector cars that may have changed hands many times. A 15-inch wheel is only one part of the equation, though, because wheel width also matters when comparing different tire constructions or radial equivalents. Checking the actual wheel on the car helps avoid choosing a tire that is correct in diameter but mismatched to the rim.

Yes. The covered 1963 Studebaker Avanti Base uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the core fitment for this model. That keeps size selection straightforward and avoids the need to sort through multiple primary fitment sizes by trim.

With size consistency across the covered Avanti setup, the more useful comparison is between appearance and construction choices. A buyer can focus on blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall styling in 670-15, or consider a radial-equivalent alternative if the car’s wheel width, overall setup, and intended driving use support that change.

For the 1963 Studebaker Avanti, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. In this format, the size code is a vintage numeric designation rather than a modern radial marking, and the available primary fitment products in this size are bias-ply tires.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire preserves the car’s traditional construction and period-style presentation. Owners considering a different driving character often look at radial equivalents instead of treating 670-15 itself as a radial size. Any change in construction should include a check of wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering components before putting the car into regular road use.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, P215/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. Each option gives the Avanti owner a radial comparison point while keeping the same 15-inch wheel diameter.

The differences are in sizing format and profile convention, not simply brand labeling. A 195R15 stays in a traditional metric radial format, the P-metric options move into later sizing conventions, and 670R15 is aimed at a more vintage visual impression. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, so wheel compatibility and vehicle clearance deserve confirmation before conversion.

Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the intended radial equivalent against the Avanti’s available space at the suspension, steering, and body openings. The commonly considered radial-equivalent sizes for the original 670-15 are 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15.

Construction changes should be treated as a fitment evaluation, not an automatic substitution. Wheel condition, alignment, suspension wear, and the car’s current ride height can all influence results, especially on a collector vehicle with an unknown modification history. A careful check of clearance in straight-ahead and turned positions helps avoid rubbing or mismatched wheel-and-tire combinations.

Begin with the correct size and construction. A 1963 Studebaker Avanti uses a 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, so the main choice is not between several primary sizes but between available tire styles, brands, sidewall treatments, and whether a radial equivalent should also be considered.

Appearance and wheel compatibility are usually the deciding factors after size is settled. Some 670-15 products are offered for narrower rims while others suit a wider range, and sidewall style can change the car’s visual character significantly. Load figures and tire series can also vary, so it makes sense to compare specifications alongside the Avanti’s intended use and restoration goals.

In 670-15, the 1963 Studebaker Avanti has access to blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall bias-ply tires. Those sidewall treatments appear across several brands and tire series, giving the car owner a broad range of visual options without changing the primary size.

Sidewall choice affects appearance more than fitment, but it can strongly influence how the Avanti presents as a restored or road-driven collector car. A blackwall gives a restrained performance look, while narrow and wide whitewalls create progressively more traditional styling. The best choice depends on the car’s finish, wheel covers or wheel design, and the era-specific look the owner wants to emphasize.

The 670-15 size for a 1963 Studebaker Avanti is available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. These options span several classic tire series and sidewall treatments while staying within the Avanti’s primary vintage size format.

Brand selection is best treated as part of a broader comparison rather than the only decision point. Looking at sidewall style, tire series, rim-width specification, and load information often tells more about which tire belongs on a particular Avanti. That approach helps match the tire to the car’s appearance goals and wheel setup without reducing the choice to a simple brand preference.

A 670-15 bias-ply tire is the natural starting point for a period-style 1963 Studebaker Avanti because it preserves the car’s original-era sizing format and construction type. Within that size, the most useful comparison is among blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions from the available vintage tire brands and series.

The right visual choice depends on how the car is being restored and presented. Some owners prefer a more restrained blackwall look, while others want a stronger mid-century whitewall statement. When exact originality matters beyond general period style, marque-specific references and historical vehicle documentation are worth consulting before settling on a particular sidewall treatment or brand presentation.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1963 Studebaker Avanti; it also changes how the car looks. A 670-15 bias-ply keeps the Avanti in its vintage sizing and construction language, while a radial equivalent introduces a more modern approach even when the wheel diameter remains 15 inches.

That difference can be subtle or noticeable depending on the exact radial chosen. A bias-look radial such as 670R15 may better preserve a traditional visual impression than a later P-metric format, but appearance should still be weighed alongside wheel compatibility and clearance. Owners balancing restoration style with regular driving often compare both construction and sidewall treatment before making a final choice.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1963 Studebaker Avanti even when the car originally uses a 670-15 tire on a 15-inch rim. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, or bodywork differences can all affect how much room the tire has.

A vintage-size tire that works on a stock-style setup may need a closer check once the car has been altered. Turning clearance, fender clearance, and wheel-to-suspension spacing deserve attention before selecting either a bias-ply replacement or a radial equivalent. On a collector car, it is smart to inspect the actual wheel and tire package already installed rather than assuming it still matches original-era dimensions.

Before road use, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and basic clearances around the tire. On the tires themselves, look for proper inflation, even seating on the rim, and any obvious signs of damage or air loss after installation on the 1963 Studebaker Avanti.

A collector car benefits from a broader pre-drive check as well. Steering and suspension components, brake condition, and alignment can affect how the new tires behave once the car is moving. It is also wise to recheck pressure and lug torque after the first short drive, since newly mounted tires and wheels sometimes reveal issues only after they have been heat-cycled and loaded on the road.

Collector-car tires should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition rather than tread depth alone. On a 1963 Studebaker Avanti running 670-15 tires, look for cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, or gradual air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the Avanti away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition during downtime. Occasional movement of the car also helps reduce stress from sitting in one position. Before any longer drive, inspect the tires again and confirm that pressures are set consistently for the car’s current road use.