sbaba

I have a 67 big block and just bought a set of repo bolt-on wheels to replace the Cragars on the car now.
The plan is to get a set of redline radials.

I've looked at Coker and Diamondback. I prefer the Diamondbacks but am concerned that because they have to modify/shave the tire to apply the redline, this will weaken the tire.

Questions:
1. Can someone address my concern about the potential weakening of the Diamondback tire?
2. Size: I'm thinking of 215/70/15 to get more tread on the road as compared with the 205/75/15 which I believe is the size tire that came on the car when new. My goal is to have a low profile stance and good performance.

Any suggestions? Comments? Advice?
Thanks!!!

vettebuyer6369

While not on a C2, Ive yet to have problems with 3 sets of Diamondbacks.

1965fuelie

Diamondback will not weaken the tires. They just removes the writing and smooth out the outer suface on the tires, and then add the red line.

capevettes

I have Diamondback redlines on my 68, gold lines on my 65 and ww on my 61. Many miles of driving with no issues. I don't believe their process weakens the tires in any measurable way.

dahogan

Here on the forum, Diamondback is preferred over Coker by a good margin. I switched from 205/75 to 215/70/15 several years ago with no regrets.

denneys69

Cookers don't stay red. Just like their white walls don't stay white. I asked their rep at a show Coker attended and he just shrugged his shoulders telling me to use a good cleaner.
Diamond Backs hands down!

ah53

I have used both Diamondback, on my Corvette and Universal Tire on my GTO. I'm very satisfied with both companies. Diamondback makes the tires on order and they take a longer time to arrive. Universal keeps most sizes stocked. FWIW

Joe

65GGvert

Diamondback doesn't supply Michelin redlines anymore in the 205-75 size. The 215-70 Michelin based are 26.6 and 6.8, so taller and wider. They do offer Toyo based redlines, but the tread width is only 5.3 inches in the 205-75 size. The 215-70-15 shows 26.9 tall and 6" wide, so if you go with diamondback, that would be closest to what you describe. I'm not going by the charts, they still show the Michelin available in the correct size. I spoke with them directly to order and they told me Michelin no longer makes the 205-75 tire.
As far as the Coker not staying red, that's just not true.

65GGvert

10 yr old Coker

hedgehead

I have coker wide whites on my 61 for about 7 years, still white, but they took a lot of lead to balance.

I have diamondback redlines on my GTO. No complaints. Plus diamondback are good people to deal with.

sbaba

Do you think that 215/75/15's will fit underneath the car with repo bolt-on's?

ricks327

I have 215/70/15 Michelin X radials on my 67 Rallye wheels with no fitment issues. Best thing I ever did was to get rid of the junk Coker tires.
Rick

dahogan

I have 215/70/15 Michelins on new '65-'66 repo knock off bolt-ons from Virginia Vettes for 3 years now. Only had one rub: I made a rather fast entry with a very shape left hand turn onto my drive way and the left front tire hit something....no damage.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...se-1965-a.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html

65GGvert

I'd like to point out again that according to Diamondback and the Michelin website, Michelin no longer makes the 75 series tire, either in 205 or 215-15. To get close, you're going to have to use a 70 series tire.

sbaba

Looking at the DB catalog, they do have a Michelin 205/75/15 but not a 215/75/15.
But the 215/75/15 is available in a Toyo brand.

dahogan

please note my mistake, I have 215/70/15

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...se-1965-a.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...se-1965-a.html

sbaba

Just ordered a set of 215/70/15 Michelin Redlines from Diamond Back. Spoke to Bill and he was super friendly and knowledgeable.

Looking forward to mounting them on my bolt-ons and putting them on the car!

65GGvert

So he also told you the Michelin was not available in a 75 series even though the catalog listed them? I also called him last week for the same reason and I was trying to help by letting you know that you would have to use a 70 series if you went to Michelin.
Hopefully you will post back how the fit works out for you? I am trying to decide the same fitment as you have. I'm concerned that the wider size might rub on the front in a tight turn.

sbaba

I didn't ask about the 75's; I didn't want to take a chance of them being too tall. 70's seem to be what people are using with the 215 width. I appreciate the help and will post an update once I get them mounted.

JohnZ

No. They'll probably rub on the front fender opening edge, directly rearward of the parking light, due to the 215's larger diameter.