The 1964 Studebaker Avanti stands apart from most American personal cars of its era, blending advanced styling, grand-touring character, and a design that still looks striking decades later. Owners often approach an Avanti with two goals in mind: preserving its distinctive period presence and making thoughtful choices for road use today. Tire fitment centers on a 670-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim, which keeps the car in its original sizing tradition. Within that size, there is room to choose among blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations, along with both classic bias-ply offerings and radial-equivalent alternatives. The right choice depends on whether appearance, driving feel, or a balanced restoration-minded setup matters most.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1964 Studebaker Avanti
The 1964 Studebaker Avanti uses one primary tire size: 670-15. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the same size applies to the Avanti Base covered here. That means the main decision is not choosing between multiple original sizes, but deciding which sidewall style, brand, and tire series best suits the car, or whether a radial equivalent is worth considering after checking wheel compatibility and overall fitment.
A 670-15 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 670 indicates a nominal section width of about 6.70 inches, while the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1964 Studebaker Avanti, this is the primary bias-ply fitment and it preserves the traditional sizing language associated with the car’s era. Available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs from brands such as Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Avon, Excelsior, Coker Classic, and STA across several classic tire series. Choosing within 670-15 comes down to the look you want, the wheel specification you need to match, and whether the car is being kept closely period-styled or prepared for broader road use.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1964 Studebaker Avanti sub-model. The same primary size is used here, so the buyer’s focus shifts from identifying different fitments to selecting the right construction style, sidewall treatment, and wheel-compatible product within that size.
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1964 Studebaker Avanti Base
The 1964 Studebaker Avanti Base uses the same 670-15 bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim. That keeps selection centered on appearance and usage priorities, such as choosing blackwall or whitewall styling, staying with classic bias-ply construction, or evaluating a radial equivalent with the wheel setup confirmed first.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1964 Studebaker Avanti
For the original 670-15 size, four radial-equivalent options are available. Those 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. Together, they offer a range from traditional metric radial sizing to a radial option that keeps a more vintage visual presentation. A recommended rim-width range of 5-7 inches applies, and any conversion should be checked against the wheel, tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance before use.
Modern Radial Equivalents
195R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (670-15)
P205/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (670-15)
P215/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (670-15)
670R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (670-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (5-7 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1964 Studebaker Avanti Tires for Sale
Available 670-15 choices span Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Avon, Excelsior, Coker Classic, and STA, with several tire series and sidewall treatments including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. That makes appearance, rim-width compatibility, and series character the main points to compare in the product grid.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire questions that matter for a 1964 Studebaker Avanti, including 670-15 fitment, 15-inch rim use, radial equivalents, sidewall choices, restoration-minded selection, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1964 Studebaker Avanti?
The 1964 Studebaker Avanti uses a 670-15 tire as its primary fitment. This is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 15-inch rim, and it is the core size to use when starting a correct replacement search for the Avanti covered here.
That makes the next step less about size comparison and more about choosing the right tire within 670-15. Buyers usually compare sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility, while anyone considering a radial alternative should also confirm wheel suitability and clearance before changing construction.
What size rim does a 1964 Studebaker Avanti use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1964 Studebaker Avanti is built around a 15-inch rim diameter. The 670-15 size itself confirms that 15-inch wheel requirement, so the first wheel check is making sure the car still has the correct rim diameter before selecting a tire.
Rim diameter alone is not the whole story, especially on a collector car that may have seen wheel changes over the years. It also helps to verify actual wheel width, inspect for aftermarket replacements, and compare the tire’s rim-width specification so the selected 670-15 product matches the wheel the car is wearing now.
What does 670-15 mean on a 1964 Studebaker Avanti?
On a 1964 Studebaker Avanti, 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 670 refers to a nominal section width of about 6.70 inches, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is an older sizing convention commonly seen on American cars of this period.
Understanding that format helps when comparing replacement choices, because modern tires often use metric or alphanumeric designations instead. For an Avanti owner, the key point is that 670-15 remains the original sizing reference, while any move to a radial equivalent should be evaluated by wheel fit, dimensions, and intended use rather than size name alone.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1964 Studebaker Avanti?
For the 1964 Studebaker Avanti, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. That construction is part of the car’s original-era tire character, and the available 670-15 products in the main fitment group are bias-ply offerings across several traditional brands and sidewall styles.
Staying with bias-ply keeps the car in its period tire format, which matters to many owners focused on restoration character and vintage presentation. Anyone considering a move away from that construction should treat radial options as alternatives to evaluate carefully, with attention to wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming automatic interchangeability.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 670-15?
Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. These represent an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial equivalent, giving the 1964 Studebaker Avanti owner several different radial-format alternatives to compare.
Each of those sizes should be treated as a comparison point rather than an automatic replacement. A recommended rim-width range of 5-7 inches is associated with the equivalent group, and it is still smart to verify the actual wheel, tire dimensions, and steering or body clearance before converting the Avanti from its original bias-ply fitment.
What should I check before converting my 1964 Studebaker Avanti from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming which radial equivalent you are considering for the 1964 Studebaker Avanti: 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, or 670R15. Then check that the wheel diameter is 15 inches and that the wheel width falls within the recommended 5-7 inch range tied to the equivalent group.
A conversion also deserves a careful look at tire-to-fender clearance, steering travel, suspension condition, and the car’s actual wheel setup if anything has been changed over the years. Construction changes can alter how the car sits and responds, so buyers usually weigh road-use goals against period-style appearance before making the switch.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1964 Studebaker Avanti?
Begin with the correct primary size, which is 670-15 for the 1964 Studebaker Avanti. From there, compare tire construction, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. Available products include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, so the visual character of the car can change noticeably even within the same size.
The best choice depends on how the Avanti will be used and presented. A more restoration-oriented owner may prioritize traditional bias-ply appearance, while another may focus on a certain whitewall treatment or series style. It also helps to compare load figures and wheel fit details when those product specifications matter to the intended use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1964 Studebaker Avanti tires?
The 1964 Studebaker Avanti’s 670-15 tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That range gives the owner a meaningful appearance decision even without changing the primary fitment size, since the sidewall treatment strongly affects how the car presents from the curb.
Blackwalls tend to give a cleaner, understated period look, while narrow and wide whitewalls create progressively more visual emphasis. Because the Avanti’s styling is so distinctive, sidewall choice should be considered alongside the car’s restoration theme, trim presentation, and wheel specification rather than treated as a purely cosmetic afterthought.
What brands offer tires for the 1964 Studebaker Avanti?
Tires in the 670-15 size for the 1964 Studebaker Avanti are available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic tire series, with choices ranging from blackwalls to narrow and wide whitewalls.
Brand choice usually works best as part of a larger comparison rather than the only decision point. It helps to look at the tire series, sidewall presentation, rim-width specification, and load information where available, then match those details to whether the Avanti is being preserved as a period-style showpiece or prepared for regular road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1964 Studebaker Avanti?
For a period-style 1964 Studebaker Avanti, the natural starting point is the original-size 670-15 bias-ply fitment. That keeps the car in its vintage tire format, and the available choices let you fine-tune the look through blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall versions across several classic tire series.
The right visual match depends on the exact restoration goal, since period-style does not automatically mean one sidewall treatment is correct for every Avanti. Buyers pursuing exact originality usually compare surviving photos, marque references, and vehicle-specific history, while others simply choose the 670-15 bias-ply presentation that best complements the car’s finished appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1964 Studebaker Avanti?
On a restored 1964 Studebaker Avanti, tire construction affects appearance as much as sidewall styling does. A 670-15 bias-ply keeps the car in a traditional format associated with its era, while a radial equivalent can change the visual impression even when the owner chooses a size intended as a modern comparison.
That matters because the Avanti’s shape is so distinctive that small changes in tire profile and sidewall presentation become easy to notice. Owners focused on restoration character often stay with bias-ply construction, while those balancing appearance and road use may consider a bias-look radial or another equivalent after confirming the wheel and overall fitment details.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1964 Studebaker Avanti?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1964 Studebaker Avanti even when the original reference size is 670-15. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension alterations, ride-height changes, or bodywork repairs can all influence how much room the tire has once mounted and inflated.
That is especially important if the car no longer wears its original-style wheels or if a radial equivalent is being considered. In those cases, it helps to verify wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension travel before settling on a tire, rather than assuming a stock-size label tells the whole story.
What should I inspect before driving a 1964 Studebaker Avanti on new tires?
Before driving a 1964 Studebaker Avanti on new tires, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and tire pressure, then make sure each tire is seated correctly on the rim. It is also worth checking suspension and steering components for looseness or wear so the new tires are not asked to compensate for unrelated chassis problems.
A short, careful test drive is the best follow-up after installation. Listen for rubbing, feel for unusual pull or vibration, and recheck pressure after the initial run. Collector cars that sit for long periods also benefit from a fresh inspection of sidewalls, tread, and air retention before any longer outing, even when the tires are relatively new.
How should 670-15 tires on a collector 1964 Studebaker Avanti be maintained?
670-15 tires on a collector 1964 Studebaker Avanti should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and storage habits that reduce unnecessary aging. Sidewall cracking, tread separation, bulges, cuts, and slow air loss deserve attention early, especially on a car that may spend long periods parked between drives.
Proper storage helps as much as driving care. Keeping the Avanti away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone-producing equipment can help preserve tire condition over time. It is also smart to inspect the tires before each season of use and before longer trips, since low-mileage collector cars can age their tires without wearing them out.