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I am thinking about a wheel and tire change on my original 62. I have put on front disc brakes already. I would like to go with 16" in front and 17" in the back. Any suggestions on tire size and wheel back spacing. I have looked all over the forum and most the info is on 15 inch wheels. Any suggestions.
I've been looking too. Thinking of going with the Rocket Racing Igniters (kidney bean/Bonneville style) with knockoff centers.
My research says that for 16 inchers, 215/65-16 will give an overall diameter closest to stock. For a '63, stock backspacing is about 3.75, so I think in the range of 3.5 to 4.0 should work. Haven't checked the 17's.
I am thinking about a wheel and tire change on my original 62. I have put on front disc brakes already. I would like to go with 16" in front and 17" in the back. Any suggestions on tire size and wheel back spacing. I have looked all over the forum and most the info is on 15 inch wheels. Any suggestions.
Look for tires that have a max. section width of 235 (otherwise you chance contact with either the body or the suspension), and depending on what "look"you are working to see, a tire diameter of 26 to 27.5" (with 27" being close to the original diameter).
Wheel offset will also be critical, to center the tires. For my 6"X15" rims, a 3.625" back spacing worked great. I have 235 section width rears, and 215 on the front, although they could be wider, I choose narrower fronts for both easier steering and a slight rake.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 10-29-2015 at 11:34 AM.
You can go with the same section width, i.e. 215, 225, and the same backspace as your research on the 15" wheels has found. The only difference will be the aspect ratio which will determine how tall your tire is.
For example, a 205/40-17 will be 23.5" tall, and a 205/50-17 is 25.1" tall. Both will have a section width of 8.4" (this includes sidewall bulge).
If you're trying to match say, a 215/70-15 , a 215/60-16 and a 215/50-17 will be roughly equivalent.
Looking to drop it down in front some, with out using new spindels.
Reducing the overall diameter of the tires won't do it. The wheel well gap will get bigger as the front gets lower. Tires are not the way to lower the ride height. You will have to do suspension work unless you want a gap from the top of the tire to the edge of the fender.
Looking to drop it down in front some, with out using new spindels.
I used the 53/54 Chevy passenger car spindle supports, and it worked perfectly. Dropped the front about 3/4". Used the original Vette spindles. Was a good time to do a front end job.....was surprised when I found more damage than first thought.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; 10-29-2015 at 10:12 PM.
The wheels I like are available only in 15 or 16 inch; are you suggesting the 15's would be a better choice?
That is a common wheel design. American Racing "Salt Flat" is a very very close copy of that Rocket Wheel. It's available in 17" with custom backspacing.
That is a common wheel design. American Racing "Salt Flat" is a very very close copy of that Rocket Wheel. It's available in 17" with custom backspacing.
I think both companies are copying a '50s Halibrand wheel. Being aluminum, either "copy" is better for the street than perishable magnesium.
I am fairly set on 17 if possible. Need to fill the wheel well opening.
That's more a function of tire profile than wheel size. My personal feeling is that 17" or larger wheels work fine on modded cars, but on an otherwise original (C1 or C2) car with retro style wheels I prefer a tire with more sidewall, both for appearance and performance reasons. JMHO.
I hate to see it coming. Every Camaro, Impala, BelAir, most any of the old cars at car shows now have the huge wheels and skinny tires. I was hoping Corvette owners wouldn't follow the crowd.
If you have the stock front or rear suspension I'd suggest you stay with the 15" wheels. Your ride and handling are going to suffer with the larger wheels.
I have JMR front suspension which works fine with the 17" wheels. On the rear I had to use 5 leaf springs and air shocks to keep it off the wheel lip.
Front are TT IIs 17X8 and rear 17X9 with 245X45 Nitto red lines.
Surely people were retrofitting disc brakes to these early cars before the goofy ghetto wheels became popular. There are probably several 15" wheels that would accommodate disc brakes and look classy at the same time. Just say 'NO' to Ghet-to'!
10-29-2015, 11:03 AM
Low profile tire on my 62
Forget 16s. Go with 17s.
