can someone explain why this wheel/tire set up looks so bad.

This particular setup looks bad because
1) cheap Chinese wheels
2) black/chrome never looks good, just accentuates the cheapness
3) the car needs big brakes to fill in the empty void behind those wheels.
4) ride height

The tire sizing looks fine and the offsets are not terrible.

But you already knew all this.

It's like a mobster from the 20's wearing tripp pants, the rims and car are just anachronistic and it shows.

Wheels are too fucking big.
That car came with 14s from the factory.

File: Lotus_Esprit_Essex_Turbo_1980.jpg (250KB, 1200x863px) Image search: [Google]

250KB, 1200x863px

>>17810193
>1) cheap Chinese wheels
yup
>2) black/chrome never looks good, just accentuates the cheapness
To an extent yeah
>3) the car needs big brakes to fill in the empty void behind those wheels.
yes. or go with a smaller wheel
>4) ride height
THIS THIS THIS. Never do an aftermarket wheel setup without lowering the car.
>The tire sizing looks fine and the offsets are not terrible.
I disagree. Offset is fine but older cars almost always look better with smaller wheels+meaty tires. I would drop down an inch or two.

>>17809900
I needs to be lowered, the chrome rim doesn't help the appearance and emphasizes how small the wheel actually is.