430keeper

Does anyone have a theory on why Lexus set the wheels so far
inboard on the SC430 ? Is some ways its box-car like....as in
trains !!! Its like the car's body was designed too wide for the
wheelbase. No point in crying about it now....Can anyone post
a pic of what the factory wheels look like pushed out a bit?
a modest offset...not crazy wide......

OBP

Mandyfig has spacers on his WGC Ecru. Looks tastefully done and definitely addresses your problem. No pics but I have seen it in person. Maybe he can post pics for your or just search under his name for some previous postings from him.

mandyfig

OBP is right, search spacers and you will get hits, good luck. I have 25 fronts and 35 rears.

430keeper

Hey mandyfig, were those the sizes of your offset rings or
are those the factory wheel offsets ? What brand of
spacers do you have ? And what kind of factory wheels
do you have on your car ? Do you think, with how much our
cars weigh, it puts too much stress on the bearings ?

mandyfig

I will search my old post and let you know.

MrMark

iTrader: (3)

Most stock fitments are sunken......that's why none of my vehicles have stock wheels.....

mandyfig

430 keeper check out the thread "another spacer " thread that I bumped. You can see my set up.

NAmVet68

From what I have read, the original styling was supposed to be "Retro-Classic" - that's why the wheels are inboard. Look at pictures of 1950's & 1960's sports cars (Porsche, MG, Mercedes Benz, even Ferrari), they all have the wheels well inside the body.
1955 MB Gullwing

1951 Porsche 356

1955 Ferrari 250GT

(You can probably see some of the styling cues they used from these examples)

You have to remember that some of this was by necessity. Due to tire technology, wide tires were not readily available back then, and since not all roads were fully paved at the time (if you are under 50, you don't remember that), you needed large fenders to keep mud and crud off of your bodywork.

The good thing about the "Classic" look however is the leather & wood interior....rumor has it that the design team went to the south of France and took its inspiration from yachts and early wood luxury boats.....I also think that's why the stock suspension is the way it is

It could have been worse - they could have taken their inspiration from '50's '60's Japanese sports cars .....

1955 Flying Feather

430keeper

Good history lesson....
The SC430 could have looked worse. Hard to believe that this is the same
company that produced the Supra (most expensive Toyota of the time). Wish
Toyota could have put a little more "sport" in the sc430's looks (one of Lexus's most
expensive at the time)...never have liked the 430's taillights....but absolutely
love the mark 4 Supra taillights.