Well if you were restoring the car it wouldn't have 17" wheels. Not that i'm a purist, go with what you like.
A 225/50R17 may have a 27" diameter tire and a 195/75R14 only a 25-1/2" tire. Could be the tire/wheel size.
I have 15" on mine and have been fighting tire rub since I bought it.. Could be the size of the tire or a worn out suspension, or may have been pranged in a crash or...