Cobra66

I'll take delivery of a '64 coupe in late May. I'm told it currently it runs American Racing Torq Thrust D's (15X6" or 7", not yet sure) and 7.75X15 bias ply repro Silvertown redlines. I want to retain the wheels, but move to radials, as wide as I can safely fit under stock wheel wells without any rubbing on frame or fiberglass. I'm searching for whatever input I can get as to my options. One source suggested Goodyear Eagle GT's in P215/65/R15. Another thought I could go up to 225's.

As I don't want any surprises after mounting and driving, any thoughts from others who have successfully gone to wider tires on their '64's?

Thanks in advance.

vintagecorvette

search the archives, there is a ton of info on wheel and tire size.

67L36Driver

215-70's is about as big as you can go with safety. 7" width is borderline and 6" is much safer. Anything bigger requires flairs.

Subfixer

And then there's always the issue with a spare that will fit in the carrier......

Cobra66

Thanks for the input. Makes sense. I don't want to go to flares, as the body/paint is in great shape. Any recommendations on tire brand? I'm leaning toward Goodyear GT's.

MightyZR-1

Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 215/70-15 is my choice on my 63 Knock-off wheels. I even had them shaved to 6/32 so I could autocross too. The Goodyear GT's were not satisfactory at an occasional autocross, too slippery for me.

Ironcross

215X65R-15`s Goodyear Eagle GT`s fits the wheel house perfectly and is wide enough to look good with out the added height of 70`s

toddalin

These are 225/60/15 on 7" Western Wheels with 3-3/4" back spacing. They fit fine and only caveat is that the left front tire rubs the steering carrage bolt on a locked left turn. This does no harm except to make the bolt shiney. I've also had 235/75/15s and they fit.

These tires are Firehawk SZ50 and are far superior to any other tires I've ever had on the car (in over 20 years) in terms of handling (except for my A008R autocross tires), ride quality and quietness. (Lars really liked them when he drove the car and even made note of what they are.) Think I paid about $55 each on close-out at The Tire Rack.

batmann

Here are pics of my TTD's on my 64. The fronts are 205/70/15. The rears are 215/70/15. I would not go any larger than that.

Cobra66

Great photos. Could you have gone to 215's on the front, too? I'm getting a groundswell of help on my request for info and it looks like I'll be going with 215/65/15's all around.

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on this issue!

BarryK

I have 215/75-15's all around on my '65 with stock steel wheels. only problem I have is a very slight rubbing on the inner frame at full wheel lock while turning into my very steep driveway.
My neighbor has a '67 with stock rally wheels and runs 235/60-15's all around and has no rubbing issues at all front or rear.
When I get new tires i'll try the 235/60-15's or if they won't work than i'll drop down to 225/60-15's.
the wider 225's or 235's look great on the cars.

SPLITRAY

Your front sets down low like mine does, And you don't have an issue with front tire/fender rub? I do have 75r15 x 6" and I'm still dangerously close. I can't concieve of going to a 7" wheel as much as I would like too.

Sweet ride though...low and lean, that's the way I likem!

batmann

I don't think so.

Here is a pic of the front wheel well. At the widest part of the tire - I have about an inch of clearance...while turning - evidently not enough.
Notice the rubbing marks...


Here is a pic of the back...only about 1/2" clearance with the 215/70/15's

LouieM

215/65/15 is the absolute max you can go on a 6" stock wheel without risking the possibility of body damage in the rear. I've had this size on more than a dozen midyears and never had a problem, even autocrossing or on a track. More authoritatively, Terry Vaughn at www.mrtorquethrust.com also recommends this as a maximum size for midyears. I don't know how much closer a 7" wheel of whatever specs would put the rear tires to the bodywork, but I'd sure check it out before I bought tires. If the car has 7" wheels on it I'd be inclined to go to 6" wheels, considering how hideously expensive body/paint work would be. I would contact Terry Vaughn to put your mind at ease, since he is the expert and is also friendly.

IMHO the Goodyear GT is a pretty old-tech tire by today's standards. I used to use it, but not for many years. I'd go to tirerack.com and read buyer reviews of any tire you can think of in your size, to get an idea of what works these days. Also, check out any specials they may have on a tire you're interested in. I got my discontinued Yokohama AVS tires for $39 each that way. You will be amazed how well a V-rated tire will stick if you actually drive your Vette.

I run a 215/65/15 spare on my 67. You can do this if you use the longer tire tub bolts that Chevy used for optional wider tires (7.75-15) back then. The tire tub lid stays about an inch open with this size tire, but even you won't notice after a day, and you will always have a correct size spare.

LouieM

Gorgeous wheels! Be sure to let me know when you want to sell them!

Cobra66

Thanks, LouieM. I had a reply all typed out, but lost it by hitting the wrong icon (I'm new to this whole "forum" medium)!

In any case, I've fired off an email to Terry Vaughan, as you suggested, for his POV.

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

LouieM

Terry will be your most reliable source for wheel info. Several forum folks have dealt with him. SWCDuke here in the forum knows lots about tires; if you can search the forum (the "Search" link in the red band at the top of this screen) you will likely find his recommendations for brand/model.

Welcome to the forum!

bcwaller

Not to differ with people, but I had 235/60/15 tires on stock sized report knock offs with no body problems at all. I had the same frame rub at full lock, but no body problems. Now, the exact wheels you have will be different, so you need to know the exact backspace. If batmann has the same wheels, then you have a great authority to base your choice on. If your are different, then you will need to think about your choice.

Also, my 235/60/15 wheels were a bit short, even with a lowered car. You may or may not care for the look with a wide, but short tire, but think about this. A 225/60 will be even worse in that way.

The chart below shows that the 225/60 can be as much as 2" shorter than other options and is about 1.5" shorter than what most people consider stock metric size.

Tire . . . . . . . Height
205/75/15 . . . 27.11
205/70/15 . . . 26.30
215/70/15 . . . 26.85
215/75/15 . . . 27.70
215/65/15 . . . 26.00
225/60/15 . . . 25.63
235/60/15 . . . 26.10

Here's a picture of the car with the 235s: