Looking for 15" Cragar s/s direct fit wheels for my 59. Concerned with offsets and backspace. Car has stock chassis and drum brakes. May convert front brakes to Disc's at a later time. Thinking of the following:
Fronts 15x6, offset is -6, Backspace is 3.25" or
15x7 offset is 0 Backspace is 4"
Rears 15x8 offset is -6 Backspace is 4.25" or
use the same 15x7 offset 0 Backspace is 4" as the fronts
Would like a wider wheel in rear that doesn't stick out past the fender but clears the springs. Narrow wheel up front to help with the manual steering and clears everything and gives it "The Correct Look" (Stance)
Really appreciate any and all help, this is driving me crazy
All suggestions welcomed

 

Pete,

I see no one else has posted, so I'll throw out some information that hopefully can help you with your decision.

First and foremost, you have to also consider what tire size you will be using in conjunction with your wheel choice. Generally speaking, wider wheels will need smaller diameter tires for clearance. I had researched this several years ago when putting aftermarket wheels on my '60. There are several combinations of wheel width, backspacing, and tire size that will work well on the 56-62 Corvettes, so there is not a simple answer to your question.

I currently run 15x6 chrome rally wheels with a 3.5" backspacing with 225/75R15 tires. No clearance problems anywhere on the front but I will get a little rub on the outer rear when I get on it hard. Please note the 225/75R15 (approx. 28.3" diameter) are nearly 1" taller than the OEM 6.70-15 (approx. 27.4" diameter) so I am not surprised with a rub on the rear.

The 225/70R15 that seems to be a very popular size shows the same 27.4" diameter as the OEM 6.70-15. So tire size and aspect ratio are important factors to be considered.

I did a search and found several old threads discussing aftermarket wheels on C1's:

A) https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-wheels-6.html

………see posts 2, 42 & 47, 92, 98, and 105.

B) https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...15-wheels.html

C) https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-to-death.html

D) https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-wheels-2.html

Take the time to read through those posts and make notes of the combinations on each car. You may want to try and contact a specific owner to get their backspacing if it wasn't stated.

Generally, it appears that 225/70R15 tires on a 15x7 wheel with 3.75" backspacing is a common setup that fits (and looks!) well.

A 15x8 wheel on the rear would probably need a 65 series tire for clearance.

Please note I have NOT analyzed these combinations, so you should go through these threads, make a chart with each combination, and then you should be able to get close to a final decision.

Once again, all three factors of tire size, wheel width, and backspacing must be taken into account collectively to get a combination that will work.

Hope this helps and does not add to the confusion.

Terry

 

I remember a lot of guys used to run 14” rims which would give you some other tire size (height/width) options.

 

Terry,
Thanks for the help. If you don't mind what do you think of this setup?
Cragar 61C S/S wheels 15x7, Backspace 4" offset 0
Front tires 205/75R15 = 27.1" tall, 8.1" wide, 6.1" side walls or
215/70R15 = 26.9" tall, 8.5" wide, 5.9" side wall
Thinking taller and less width = easier steering
Rear wheels the same
Rear tires 245/60R15 = 26.6" tall, 9.6" wide, 5.8" side wall
I believe all will clear suspension and keep tires inside wheel wells and hopefully give it that classic look

 

Pete,

Using a 15x7 Cragar SS with the 4" BS:

For the FRONT I like the 205/75R15 over the 215/70R15 for the little extra height and narrower width.

For the REAR, the 245/60R15 would certainly work, but I would lean more towards 225/70R15 because I think the 245/60 tire diameter is getting too small (9/10 inch smaller than OEM) and I would want the height over the width.

Check that first link I posted and look at Steve's car again on post #42. He is running 225/70R15 on all four corners and I personally think that particular setup is perfect.

I realize that we all have different tastes on wheel/tire sizes, but I prefer the look of a tire filling up the wheel well versus a large gap. BUT…..if you like that look and want a fatter tire on the rear, then certainly go with the 245/60!

I also think you should be okay on clearances with any of the above combinations based on what I saw on the other member's cars, but you will certainly want to check clearances carefully before you go screaming down the street. None of us want to do fender repairs from an inadvertent error in calculating tire/wheel size combinations.

Good luck,
Terry

 

Terry,
Thanks for all the help and input. Now have to order the wheels which no one has. Not even Cragar ,maybe by end of december

 

I just took a quick look and here are two places that show available:

1) https://paulshotrodandmusclecarparts...-chrome-wheels

Real good price at $212.59 each but I don't know how much shipping is. Worth checking out anyway.

2) https://www.ebay.com/itm/17389704965...EAAOSwTuphZmXy

Don't know if you like doing Ebay or not, but they have them.

Get 'em on by Thanksgiving and you might be able to squeeze a few cruises in before the full winter shutdown.

Could be more out there. Just Google "Cragar 61C573440" and check each listing. Has to be several vendors that have some in stock.

I am more than happy to help spend your money!

 

Maybe a 59 has more clearance than a 62, but 245x60x15 cracked the rear fender on my 62 when I hit a dip in the road with a 200 pound passenger in the car with me!

 

Terry,
Called Paul's Hot Rod none in stock probably until Feb. 22. If he had them he would honor the price. He said that was a fantastic price and they need to update their Web site. Sent a message to the people on E bay with 2 questions. No response, so no deal for me. Jegs expects then in end of December. Will probably order from them.. Snow here in Ohio so car season is over and I'm not road ready yet. Hope to complete it all over the winter.
Thanks for your advise and help. Save travels and Happy Holidays

 

Captain Egg, totally different rear fender openings. Early cars are round, so I think I should be OK. Remeasuring everything before ordering.