Subfixer

I drive my 64 a great deal and it's about time to shed the old Goodyear Reatta 205-70 R15's.
Most of my cruising is with a group of C5 and C6 Corvettes. I can keep up pretty well until we get into some twisty back roads because the Goodyears just give up.
I'm looking for opinions on a 205-70 or 215-65 R15 tire that will really hold the road with good wet performance. I'd prefer a whitewall, but that's pretty much a stretch.
Thanks.

sub006

BFG Radial T/A's remain a "go-to" all-around street choice for '60s/'70s performance cars. Turn the white letters to the inside.

Kerrmudgeon

...BFG's made my car come alive, and they're not that pricey.

66since71

When you decide on a size, consider narrowing your choices by looking at speed and tread wear ratings.
Generally higher speed rating tires will have more responsive sidwalls, and lower tread wear numbers mean stickier rubber..

Harry

Godholio

I'm not sure there are enough options out there in 15" anymore to worry about having to "narrow it down."

Plasticman

Punch in the size you are looking for (example: 205/70R15) into Tire Rack's search, and I came up with 4 pages of offerings:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...70&diameter=15

I still would go with the BF Goodrich T/A radials based on past performance as a good all around (and relatively cheap) tire. But they are not available in 205/70R15. They are available in 215/70R15 and 215/65R15.

I also have to admit to being biased. I won't put a a "foreign" sounding name on my Vette. I want to keep it "period correct" (60's/70's).

Plasticman

daz_au

I am running Firestone FR710 - P205/70R15 on the coupe. I am looking at getting tires for the roadster and I am thinking of getting them again. They are a whiteline tire so they have "the look" and they are a lot better than I expected driving wise.... it depends on how much performance you are looking for.

They are actually a "Small SUV" tire which makes them sound super unappealing, but I have run them through some corners and they were progressive at the limit which I like... I have no idea about wet performance though.

I got mine on the 3 for 4 factory rebate sale, fitted for $375 a set, decent tire for that money.

toddalin

That's true. I got one of the last sets of 15" performance street tires when The Tire Rack was closing them out at IIRC $65 each.

225/60/15 ZR-Rated Firehawks

I don't think that you will find a ZR rated tire in that, or a near size anymore.



This would be the current replacement, but is no longer offered in 15" and is now run flat.

"The Firehawk SZ50 EP RFT with UNI-T AQ is Firestone's Ultra High Performance Summer run-flat tire developed exclusively for the drivers of Chevrolet C5 Corvettes."

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....YR8FHSZ50EPRFT

Godholio

I saw these on a 65 at a show a couple of weeks ago, they look great. I actually snapped a picture to reference when I'm due for new tires in a couple of years. Can you compare their performance to anything else out there? Radial T/As or something?

Ol Blue

My son and I are working to get my 63 out for the 50th anniversary next year which includes replacing the metallic brakes with more readily available performance shoes.

With new brakes we need better tires and my son found several choices of tires that seem to fit our needs for a performance tire. Right now price performance leads me toward the Goodyears, but I'm not quite ready to buy.

Better options than I thought was available for our old cars. They are a bit smaller in diameter than originals but I think they will fill the fender opening well enough.

If you want whitewalls, we like the wide-whites from Diamondback on our 51 Merc. They can put them on any tire you choose.

Click on tests of the Goodyear and see other possibilities.
****************************

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

daz_au

As it happens the car came with 14in wheels and 235/60/14 Radial T/A's. They were lower profile and wider so it had a flatter more solid feel when pushed. I wanted a more classic look so I restored the original 15" wheels that came with the car and fitted the FR710's.

Handling wise it was a compromise, but a smaller one than I expected given I went to a 205/70 from a 235/60.*

Godholio

That's great, thanks!

Joe Sprintbros

I use Pirelli P4000 on mine, they are either V or Z rated, may still be in production.

Dave64

I've got Michelin HydroEdge 205 & 215 70R/15's (unidirectional) on my '64. The tread looks similar to the GoodYear Eagle F1's on my '02 Coupe. They give more of a 'performance' look then many others.

5869vette

Looks great.
What size rims and backspace and any rubbing?
Thanks
Tony

Oz's 59

I have been running 215/70R15" Firestone Indy 500 Firehawks (w/2.5"ww) from Diamond Back for 8-years now on my '59... I like them so much I just received another set to be installed this week ($916 w/freight). *Please remember; for most of us these aren’t “daily drivers” so we won’t wear out our tires, but age plays a big role in tire life so 8-10 years MAX before updating (even if they still “LOOK” new). Also the preferred method of balancing is with a "lug-centric" centering system (rim bolt holes) & not the usual center-hole & cone centering system.

1974purchase

my car definitely needs tires (because of age, not wear) but i will leave the choice to the next owner. i would prefer the safety of speed rated / performance tires as i would rather enjoy the performance of the car over show. the size of the tires are so mismatched to the performance of the car. no wonder so many went with flared fenders.