1963 Studebaker Hawk Tires

The 1963 Studebaker Hawk uses a 670-15 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 15-inch rim, and the covered Hawk 8 Cyl. application follows that same primary fitment rather than splitting into multiple documented tire sizes.

That means the first step is not sorting through several factory fitments, but choosing the right 670-15 tire for the car’s intended look and use. Bias-ply options are available with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styling, and radial-equivalent sizes can also be considered if the wheel setup, dimensions, and clearance are checked carefully first.

The 1963 Studebaker Hawk uses a 15-inch rim with its primary 670-15 tire size. That rim diameter is the key wheel measurement tied directly to the Hawk’s tire fitment, whether the goal is to stay with a traditional bias-ply tire or compare radial-equivalent alternatives.

Rim diameter alone is not the whole story, especially on an older collector car. Actual wheel width should also be confirmed before selecting a tire, since available 670-15 products and radial-equivalent options can carry different rim-width requirements. Checking the wheels already on the car is especially important if it has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement rims at some point.

Yes. The covered 1963 Studebaker Hawk 8 Cyl. uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the core Hawk fitment. There is no separate primary tire size within this application that changes the basic fitment decision for the buyer.

That keeps the process simple, but it does not eliminate the need to verify the actual wheel and car setup. A Hawk with replacement wheels, suspension work, or other changes may still need closer checking before switching sidewall styles or moving from a traditional 670-15 bias-ply tire to one of the available radial-equivalent sizes.

For the 1963 Studebaker Hawk, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. In this vintage numeric format, the size itself represents a traditional bias-ply fitment rather than a radial, which makes it the right starting point for owners aiming to keep the car’s original-era tire construction.

Construction choice affects more than appearance. Staying with a 670-15 bias-ply keeps the car in its original fitment family, while moving to a radial equivalent changes the tire type even if the overall size relationship is similar. Before making that switch, confirm wheel width, diameter, and clearance so the alternative is evaluated against the Hawk’s actual setup.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. Those cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial alternative that keeps a more traditional visual presentation than a modern radial sidewall usually does.

Each of those sizes should be treated as an alternative, not as an automatic swap. A recommended rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches is associated with the equivalent group, and the car should also be checked for wheel compatibility, overall dimensions, and clearance at the steering and fender areas before moving away from the original 670-15 bias-ply fitment.

Start by confirming the Hawk’s actual wheel diameter and wheel width, then compare that setup to the radial-equivalent size being considered, such as 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, or 670R15. The original 670-15 is a bias-ply fitment, so any radial choice needs to be evaluated as an alternative rather than assumed interchangeable.

It also helps to inspect tire-to-body and tire-to-suspension clearance with the steering turned and the car at normal ride height. Older cars may have replacement wheels, suspension wear, alignment changes, or previous modifications that affect fitment. That kind of check matters just as much as the size label when converting a collector vehicle from bias-ply to radial construction.

Begin with the correct primary size, which is 670-15, and decide whether the car should remain on a traditional bias-ply tire or be evaluated against a radial-equivalent option. Within the 670-15 bias-ply group, buyers can compare brand, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width specifications rather than searching for a different primary size.

The best choice depends on how the Hawk will be used and presented. A restoration-oriented car may lean toward a period-style sidewall treatment, while a regularly driven car may prompt a closer look at radial equivalents. It is also worth comparing load figures where shown and confirming the actual wheel width on the car before narrowing the selection.

For the 1963 Studebaker Hawk’s 670-15 fitment, available sidewall styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Those choices appear across several vintage-style bias-ply lines, giving owners room to shape the car’s presentation without changing the underlying primary tire size.

Sidewall style is one of the most visible tire decisions on a car from this era, so it should match the look you want rather than be chosen casually. A blackwall creates a more restrained appearance, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the car toward a more formal or period-flavored presentation. If originality matters, compare your choice with marque references before finalizing it.

The 1963 Studebaker Hawk’s 670-15 size is available from several brands, including Firestone, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA. Those choices span multiple classic bias-ply series and sidewall treatments, so brand selection is tied closely to the exact tire style being considered.

Rather than trying to rank brands, compare what each one offers in the specific presentation you want. Some focus on blackwall and whitewall variations within classic passenger-car lines, while others bring more specialized series or different wheel-width specifications into the mix. Matching the brand and series to the Hawk’s intended use is more useful than chasing a name alone.

A period-style 1963 Studebaker Hawk usually starts with the original-size 670-15 bias-ply fitment. That keeps the car within its authentic-era construction and sizing family, while still leaving room to choose among blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall versions from several vintage-oriented tire lines.

The right appearance choice depends on how the car is being restored and the visual character you want it to project. Not every whitewall width or brand presentation should be assumed exact to the day the car was sold. When authenticity is especially important, compare the tire choice against marque-club references, period photos, and other vehicle-specific historical sources.

Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1963 Studebaker Hawk. A 670-15 bias-ply keeps the car in its traditional fitment style, while a radial alternative changes the sidewall presentation even when the replacement is chosen to stay close to the original size relationship.

That visual difference matters on a car with distinctive early-1960s lines, because the tire helps finish the stance as much as the wheel itself. A bias-look radial can soften that change by preserving a more vintage appearance than a conventional modern radial. Buyers balancing road use and restoration appearance often compare those two paths before deciding.

Yes. A 1963 Studebaker Hawk may still carry its original wheel and suspension layout, but aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, altered ride height, brake upgrades, or suspension repairs can all affect tire fitment. Those changes matter whether the car stays with the original 670-15 bias-ply size or is being evaluated for a radial-equivalent alternative.

Even small changes can alter steering clearance, fender clearance, and the way the tire sits on the wheel. That is why the actual car should be checked before assuming a replacement tire choice will behave the same as the original fitment. On a collector car, wheel measurements and a close visual inspection are often more revealing than past assumptions.

Before road use, inspect the new tires for proper seating on the wheels, confirm inflation pressure, and make sure there is adequate clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering components. On a 1963 Studebaker Hawk, it also makes sense to verify that the wheels themselves are in sound condition and match the tire’s rim requirements.

A short, careful test drive is a smart follow-up after installation. Pay attention to any rubbing, pulling, vibration, or unusual steering feel, especially if the car has not been driven regularly or has had wheel or suspension work in the past. Older collector cars reward a slow, methodical inspection more than a quick assumption that everything is ready.

Maintain 670-15 tires on a collector 1963 Studebaker Hawk by checking inflation regularly, inspecting the tread and sidewalls for cracks, bulges, cuts, or air loss, and keeping an eye on overall condition even if the car is driven only occasionally. Collector vehicles often age their tires through time and storage as much as through mileage.

Storage conditions matter too. Keeping the Hawk away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone-producing equipment helps preserve tire condition between drives. It also helps to inspect the car before longer outings, because a tire that looked fine during storage may reveal pressure loss or age-related issues only when the car returns to regular road use.