I agree. Pictures attached. Front is 245/45-17 and rear is 255/50-17. 17x8 all four corners. Backspacing on the front wheels was 5.5". I think the rear was 5", but do not remember for sure. Rear was a little high in the pictures because I had SS springs. Front suspension was '73-'76 disc spindle with a Cordoba rotor, rear was stock A body housing with Moser resplined C body axles and 1970 B body drum brakes.
What your tire "expert" does not realize is that diameter makes a huge difference on the wheel clearance to the suspension on the front. 15" wheel is limited to 4.5", 16" is limited to 5.0", 17" is limited to about 5.5", and 18" is limited to when the tire hits the frame at full lock. Each increase in diameter allows you to clear more. 15" is limited by UCA, 16" is limited by the UBJ, 17" is limited by the OTR. 18" definitely clears the OTR... I was test fitting 18" today on the front with 6.5" backspacing.
