Hey guys.... 1977 c3
I was looking into getting new wheels & tires but I don't know much about how the measurements work, only what I seen on youtube. (Some Offset & backspace vids)
I'm looking for nice fat rear end look (staggered i belive) about 1 inch or so pass fender guards (rear)
and (front) to about edge of car. It does not have to be exact. I do not have flares installed.

I currently have spacers on all 4. If I take spacers off the wheel hits the caliper. I don't want the spacers because I have concerns about thread engagement with the lug nuts (3-6 complete turns)

my tires are mastercraft 235/60/R15 all 4 corners
i definitely dont want my tires to big for the rear wheels causing it to be to floppy or floaty (tire flex)

I current have
15x7 (inner bead 2 bead inner advertised) "pic 1" or 15x8 (edge 2 edge total over all size)
Backspace -- from back mounting surface to back edge is 3 7/8" inch
installed spacers is 7/16 inch thick (pic 2)
I also have wildwood 4 piston calipers.

i do not know my offset sorry (please help)

now this is where you guys (knowledgeble experienced experts) come in
I would love any suggestions on setups (pics prefered) with all measurements including Offset & backspace 🙏 So I can order some nice wheels.

Thanks as always

If you have any measurement questions or need more pics of anything please let me know I will do my best to get it fast

P.s. I belive I do not have the right wheel setups

P.p.s I do like the way my tire size looks on the wheel in relation of size & dimensions only to each other

I really like the staggered look, I have read here that 17" & 18" wheels give the best overall performance. I am leaning heavily toward these sizes

 

Pic 1


pic 2

 

I was also wondering can I use any type or style of wheel (truck,van,ect..) as long as the sizes match??

I definitely want to put on aftermarket more modern aggressive look

 

The main concern, with fitting aftermarket wheels on a C-3, is clearance between the inside of the wheels and the calipers. C-3s have unusually "wide" calipers, that can possibly interfere with a non-OE wheel. Look closely at a C-3 rally wheel, and note how the center of the wheel, where the slots are, has a curve to it. That's not there for looks, but for caliper clearance.

With aftermarket wheels, you need either spacers or wheels that are designed for a C-3 application. You mention wanting 17" or 18" wheels, and I have no experience with them. If you wanted to stay with a traditional 15" wheel/tire set-up, the classic American Torque Thrust is available in a version that clears the calipers, without the use of a spacer.

 

Hey lead
🤔I guess it seems like I have to make sure 17s or 18s is "c3 compatible" if avail on the market. Or just use spacers with slightly longer wheel studs if I want to go with more modern stuff.

I did find these today..... i hope it's close in size

 

It's really not plug and play on these cars. I'm running vision 15x8 with 4.5" backspacing. I have 1" spacers on the rear and 275/15's . On the front I have 3/8" spacer, longer studs, and 235/15's.

 

Call Tire Rack or go on line with them they will have the correct info!