A modification on the medium-term list for my 1985 Ford Crown Victoria is wider wheels and tires, particularly in the back. This is for handling and grip at launch (need a bit more HP before grip is an issue... planning ahead).
They are currently 205/70/15, though stock is 215/70/15 and I may revert to that if I need new tires before I can afford wider wheels and performance tires. Gearing is not an issue, 2.73 rear gears and a 0.67 overdrive, peak torque somewhere just south of 3000rpm.
While obviously fuel economy isn't top priority with this car, any free highway mileage is nice. All-time best of 23mpg on the highway.
Here's the primary question:
Do you think there are noteworthy gains to be had by pushing the face of the wheel out closer to the bodywork? I'd probably be widening the wheels by 1-2 inches, so let's say I'm moving the face of the wheels outwards 1.5 inches. I will likely be keeping the wheel caps (which you'll notice poke out a good bit in the center). I may also run spacers to push the wheels out further.
To my eyes it looks like the air hitting the inner fender behind the wheels is a HUGE aerodynamic issue.
Here's a few pics of what I've got now. Note that in the underground pics the wheel is turned slightly to the right.
Pardon the uglyness, these are the day I put it on the road after the winter, dirty as hell
Here is an identical car with one inch wider rims (so theoretically .5 inches closer to the edge of the bodywork)
I'm not sure of the rim width or offset, but this is a similar relation in the rear to what I'd like to end up with in terms of looks/performance:
(sorry, can't post the pics direct, but they're in the first post of the thread below)
My 85 Merc 2-Door Slicktop (says mine, not actually mine)
Thoughts? Worth it? Miniscule? Negative impact? It's getting wider tires either way, but I have probably 2 inches leeway as far as track width.