The 1964 Studebaker Hawk came at the very end of Studebaker’s South Bend performance-coupe story, giving this car a distinct place among early 1960s American grand touring machines. Its long-hood styling and limited-production character make tire choice especially important for owners who care about both road manners and period presentation. This Hawk uses a 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, so the main decision is usually not size but how closely to stay with the original-style construction. Within that size, choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments, along with several classic tire series and radial-equivalent paths worth comparing carefully.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1964 Studebaker Hawk
The 1964 Studebaker Hawk uses one primary tire size: 670-15. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered Hawk 8 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size. That means the real choice is how you want the car to look and drive within 670-15, and whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply tire or evaluate one of the available radial equivalents.
A 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 670 refers to an approximate nominal section width of 6.70 inches, while 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1964 Studebaker Hawk, this is the primary period-style fitment and keeps the tire presentation aligned with the car’s original era. Available choices in this size include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, and STA, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options across several classic series. It is the right starting point for owners focused on authentic sizing, appearance, and correct 15-inch wheel compatibility.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1964 Studebaker Hawk sub-models. The Hawk 8 Cyl. uses the same 670-15 bias-ply sizing, so the main decision stays centered on construction style, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility rather than trim-specific size changes.
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1964 Studebaker Hawk 8 Cyl.
The 1964 Studebaker Hawk 8 Cyl. uses the 670-15 bias-ply tire size on a 15-inch rim. That keeps selection focused on whether you want a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall presentation, and whether a radial-equivalent alternative is worth considering for your particular wheel and driving setup.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1964 Studebaker Hawk
For the original 670-15 size, four radial-equivalent options are available. They 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. These choices span traditional Euro-metric sizing, later P-metric formats, and a radial option that keeps a more vintage visual character. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance should be checked before changing construction.
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 Hawk Tires for Sale
Available 670-15 choices cover a broad range of classic bias-ply products from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, and STA. Buyers can compare tire series, blackwall versus whitewall styling, and rim-width specifications within the same vintage size.
Owners of a 1964 Studebaker Hawk usually need clarity on the 670-15 fitment, 15-inch wheel compatibility, bias-ply versus radial alternatives, sidewall appearance choices, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1964 Studebaker Hawk?
The 1964 Studebaker Hawk uses a 670-15 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 15-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the Hawk on this page.
That makes 670-15 the starting point for tire selection, but the next decision is still important. Buyers should compare sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel compatibility within that size, especially if the car has replacement wheels or a non-original suspension setup that could affect clearance or construction choice.
What size rim does a 1964 Studebaker Hawk use?
The 1964 Studebaker Hawk uses a 15-inch rim with its 670-15 tire size. The tire size itself ends in 15, and the wheel diameter tied to this fitment is 15 inches.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is also wise to confirm the actual wheel width on the car before choosing a tire. Product options in 670-15 show differing rim-width specifications, and that matters even more if the Hawk has had wheel changes over the years.
Does the 1964 Studebaker Hawk 8 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1964 Studebaker Hawk 8 Cyl. uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the main Hawk fitment covered here. There is no separate primary size tied to that sub-model on this page.
That simplifies the fitment decision because the focus stays on selecting the right version of 670-15 rather than sorting through multiple tire sizes. Owners can concentrate on sidewall appearance, preferred brand and series, and whether they want to remain with bias-ply construction or compare one of the available radial equivalents.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1964 Studebaker Hawk?
For the 1964 Studebaker Hawk, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. The available products in this core fitment are bias-ply offerings, which matches the traditional construction style associated with this size.
Staying with bias-ply construction helps preserve the car’s vintage tire profile and period-style presentation. Owners considering a change should remember that radial alternatives are handled as equivalent sizes rather than primary fitments, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and fender or steering clearance deserve a careful check before making the switch.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 670-15?
Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. Those options cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial format.
Each of those alternatives gives a different way to move from the original numeric bias-ply sizing into radial construction. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, but wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance still need to be confirmed on the actual Hawk before treating any one of them as the right conversion choice.
Can I use a bias-look radial on a 1964 Studebaker Hawk?
A 670R15 bias-look radial is available as a radial equivalent to the 670-15 size used on the 1964 Studebaker Hawk. It offers a way to consider radial construction while keeping a more traditional visual relationship to the original bias-ply size.
That makes it especially relevant for owners who want a vintage presentation without staying strictly with bias-ply construction. It should still be treated as an alternative rather than an automatic swap, so the wheel setup, clearance at full steering lock, and the overall condition of suspension and steering components all deserve attention before installation.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1964 Studebaker Hawk?
Start with the confirmed 670-15 size and 15-inch rim requirement, then narrow the choice by construction, sidewall style, and the kind of presentation you want for the car. Available 670-15 options are bias-ply and span blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments.
Brand and tire series also shape the final decision, since this size is offered across several classic lines. Wheel width matters too, because product specifications vary, so a Hawk with replacement wheels should be measured before selecting a tire simply by appearance or brand name alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1964 Studebaker Hawk tires?
The 1964 Studebaker Hawk’s 670-15 tire size is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a broad appearance range, from a more understated look to a brighter restoration-oriented presentation.
Sidewall style can change the personality of the car even when the size stays the same, so it is worth matching the tire to the way the Hawk is being finished and used. Buyers focused on historical appearance may also want to compare stripe width and brand styling rather than choosing whitewall versus blackwall alone.
What brands offer tires for the 1964 Studebaker Hawk?
Tires in the 1964 Studebaker Hawk’s 670-15 size are available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply series and sidewall treatments.
The practical choice is less about chasing a single name and more about matching the tire to the Hawk’s intended look and setup. Comparing sidewall style, rim-width specifications, load figures where shown, and tire series character will usually tell you more than the brand name by itself.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1964 Studebaker Hawk?
A period-style approach starts with the 670-15 bias-ply size used on the 1964 Studebaker Hawk. From there, the best match depends on whether the car calls for a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall look within the available classic bias-ply lines.
For many restorations, appearance matters as much as the size itself, so brand styling and whitewall treatment deserve close attention. When exact originality is the goal, it is smart to compare the tire choice against marque references, historic photos, or vehicle-specific documentation rather than assuming every correct-size vintage tire reflects the same original presentation.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1964 Studebaker Hawk?
Construction changes more than the way the tire is built. On a restored 1964 Studebaker Hawk, a 670-15 bias-ply tire preserves the traditional vintage sizing format and overall visual character associated with the car’s era, while a radial alternative can give the car a somewhat different stance and presentation.
That is why many restoration-oriented owners begin with the original bias-ply size even if they later compare radial equivalents. A bias-look radial can help bridge that gap visually, but wheel width and fitment still need to be checked carefully before deciding that the appearance tradeoff suits the way the Hawk is being restored.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1964 Studebaker Hawk?
Yes. Even though the primary fitment is 670-15 on a 15-inch rim, modifications can change whether a tire choice works well on a particular 1964 Studebaker Hawk. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and brake updates can all influence fitment.
That matters most when moving away from the original-style bias-ply setup or when the car has been updated over time. Checking the actual wheel dimensions, steering clearance, and fender space on the car prevents mistakes that a size code alone cannot catch, especially on a collector car with a long ownership history.
What should I inspect before driving a 1964 Studebaker Hawk on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for condition and correct size, verify tire pressure, and make sure each tire clears the body and suspension through its steering range. It is also worth checking the alignment, steering components, and suspension wear on a 1964 Studebaker Hawk that has spent long periods parked.
Collector cars often look ready before they are mechanically ready, so a careful once-over helps the new tires perform as intended. A short local test drive can reveal rubbing, pull, vibration, or air loss early, before the car is taken on a longer trip or highway outing.
How should 670-15 tires on a collector 1964 Studebaker Hawk be maintained?
Maintain 670-15 tires on a collector 1964 Studebaker Hawk by checking inflation regularly, watching for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and keeping the car stored away from prolonged heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources. Low annual mileage does not stop tires from aging.
Routine inspection is especially important on a car that spends much of its time parked between events or seasonal drives. Keeping the Hawk clean, properly inflated, and moved periodically helps reduce flat spotting and makes it easier to catch age-related issues before they turn into a road-use problem.