C2 Tire Question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Hauppauge New York
C2 Tire Question
I have a 64 convertible with original style tires on 15" knock off wheels. I would like to upgrade to radials. Can anyone give advice as to how wide I can go and what profile would look best ( 70 or 60 series or ?)?
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,786
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From: Park Bench #805 NE Indiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 2
From: Lake Wylie SC
You can go wider than 205 or 215 on the rear if you choose to depart from the "skinny tire" look. I have 235's on the rear on the same KO that you have and the fit is fine with original wheelwells.
On the other hand my 205's up front seem to be at the limit despite what others say about their cars having 215's.....maybe it is an individual car issue.
I do plan to have my rear wheels widened to 7 inches for a better contact patch as 235's are a bit wide for a 6 inch rim and cause advanced tire wear.
BTW I have stock TA's but with the E brake bracket relocated to the top to accommodate the wider tire.
Besides a better look IMO, the wider tire will give better results...... it is the stock rear tire that gives the C2 the skinny tire look that negatively set it apart from other cars of the same time period.
Doug
On the other hand my 205's up front seem to be at the limit despite what others say about their cars having 215's.....maybe it is an individual car issue.
I do plan to have my rear wheels widened to 7 inches for a better contact patch as 235's are a bit wide for a 6 inch rim and cause advanced tire wear.
BTW I have stock TA's but with the E brake bracket relocated to the top to accommodate the wider tire.
Besides a better look IMO, the wider tire will give better results...... it is the stock rear tire that gives the C2 the skinny tire look that negatively set it apart from other cars of the same time period.
Doug
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Toronto Ontario
- Pat
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 628
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte area NC
A CF member is putting together a page on what other have done tire and wheel wise - http://www.stl-vettes.com/65vette/wh.../c2_wheels.htm good for idea's . Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 2
From: Lake Wylie SC
My rear tires are TA radials in size 235/60/R15.
My wheels are true KO's with the adapter that places the tire even closer to the well lip. This is a fairly common combination and I do not see any reason why it would not work for you. However because there are differences in cars and because I do go through lots of rear tires I can make you sort of a guarantee....... at least it will only cost you double shipping if for some reason they do not fit
If you get the above tires and they do not fit your car I will pay you for them like new, shipped to where I have my tires mounted the same that I would have to pay for them if I bought them from an online warehouse such as Tire Kingdom, Tire Warehouse. Summit etc, etc shipped to the same place.
Doug
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 14
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From: Hauppauge New York
Doug... Thanks for the offer but I think I may go with the 225's. May be a better fit on my KO's. But if I do decide on the 235's I'll let you know. Either way I won't be doing anything until spring. The weather here in the northeast has not been friendly to taking out my 64 to get new tires mounted.
By the way, how does the 60 series look on your car, since they are about 2" shorter in diameter than stock?
By the way, how does the 60 series look on your car, since they are about 2" shorter in diameter than stock?
Cartoon Character
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,440
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From: Can't be more than 114... Arizona
I was running P205/75R15's on my '63 for years, but last year I switched to P215/70R15's, simply because I couldn't find any of the P205/75R15's in my area at the time I wanted to replace them. Now there are lots of them. Go figure! Both tires are very close to the same diameter and both work well on my '63, with no rubbing.
- Pat
- Pat
I have 215/70/15 Pirelli tires and the fit perfectly. I am unsure that anything larger would fit... I got rid of the steel wheels and went to Torque thrusts, they still fit.. The difference between 215 and 225 is only 0.4 inch , I wouldn't risk the loss of my fender seams for that... the 215's are pretty close...They look pretty good:
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 70
From: Park Bench #805 NE Indiana
I have 215/70/15 Pirelli tires and the fit perfectly. I am unsure that anything larger would fit... I got rid of the steel wheels and went to Torque thrusts, they still fit.. The difference between 215 and 225 is only 0.4 inch , I wouldn't risk the loss of my fender seams for that... the 215's are pretty close...They look pretty good:
Cartoon Character
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 0
From: Can't be more than 114... Arizona
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,637
Likes: 3,584
From: NorCal
I've put 215/675/15 radials on Sting Rays for 30 years, knowing that they are the widest and lowest profile combination that will NEVER contact the fiberglass. That holds true for running autocross or tracking, both of which I've done in my 67. Anything wider and you just might trash an expensive fender.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 312
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio Texas
I love my Michelin 215/70/15 's..
I got V rated tires, which are hard to find.... Speedomoter is real close to being correct...
I have no problem rubbing the wheel wells, and they are mounted on the bolt on knock offs..
Next set I am sure I will have to go to a different size and 60's,
so I can get better than an S rating...
I got V rated tires, which are hard to find.... Speedomoter is real close to being correct...
I have no problem rubbing the wheel wells, and they are mounted on the bolt on knock offs..
Next set I am sure I will have to go to a different size and 60's,
so I can get better than an S rating...
