843de

Lookin' fine Ben, really brings the lines out, cool as cool can be Buddy!

Benjiwah

Thank you Mike!

Benjiwah

Still more tweaking going on... Decided to go a bit more drastic with the visor (but once it is refined it won't look this drastic). And this angle shows how much the rear quarter has changed from it's HHR origin.

843de

Gonna have to do a little math when it comes to widening the track Ben, figuring in the HHR's preferred tolerance of 38-42mm offset, wheel choice will be key to both looks and hub lifespan.

I see where you're going with the visor, it fits better with the "don't mess with me bud" look, I can see it in an old Film Noir detective movie. It'd look good running from Phillip Marlowe, Boston Blackie, or Richard Diamond.

Benjiwah

Thanks Mike!
It does kinda have an old villainous vibe to it. As far as the math for the hubs and and purchasing wheels go, I don't know what the farthest offset I could get away with would be. I figured on keeping the steelies (with the full moons of course) and using wheel spacers on the rears only... Wheel spacers are cheap and so are hubs... A lot cheaper than buying expensive rims :)
Should I be concerned about anything other than shortened life expectancy of the hubs?

843de

Give this thread a read Ben, it's a few years old, but still full of useable info.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/tire...e-limits-9973/

I'd probably go with 235/50/16 or 235/55/16 in the rear while keeping the stock size up front for the classic hot rod "Bigs 'N Littles" look.

I can't remember if your donor HHR is ABS equipped, that could be a possible complication due to the differential circumferences between front and rear.

Check out our Tires & Wheels sub-forum for more ideas.

Benjiwah

I wasn't wanting to stagger the tread width, just the track width. I was planning on one inch spacers in the rear and nothing in the front. From the link to the previous post, it looks like I would have roll the rear wheel well lips under... No biggy. Would the staggered track pose any problems though?

08LaRam

Looks better every time I see a new photo. I like the three Buick insignias on the front individually, especially the BUICK spelled out, but the three together seem a little redundant. Just a thought. I am not saying it looks bad, it doesn't. Does the insignia on the grille bolt on/off?

donbrew

My memory may be in error, but I think the front is always a little wider than the rear for steering reasons. If you are drag racing that does not matter, if you are NASCAR driving you only turn in one direction, don't know about road racing.

But then, a difference in front drive and rear drive seems to ring a bell.

Benjiwah

Thank you 08LaRam!
The Buick emblem in the grille clips in, but if removed leaves an empty hole. I have toyed around with the idea of not using the 53 emblem that's recessed in the hood, for the very reason you mentioned. I may primer a piece of card stock and sit it over the 53 oval emblem just to see if the aesthetics look any better.

Thanks for the input donbrew. So from what you are saying, if I am understanding correctly, I should either put spacers on all four corners or use no spacers at all. Otherwise I may run the risk of messing up the handling. Or maybe I could try just the rears and go for a drive on some twisties just to see if I notice any I'll effects.