71 needs new tires, advice needed
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,023
Likes: 1,181
From: La Mesa CA
71 needs new tires, advice needed
The 71 I just got needs new tires. Currently it has the stock rims and BFG Radial T/A. The car currently has 255/60/15 both front and back. The front tire has a tread separation, so I can't drive it to see if the 255s up front rub. I am thinking of going with 245/60/15 for the front and stay with the 255/60/15 on the rear. Now here is the problem. I would like to stay with the BFGs, but it appears they are not available and are backordered until Michelin makes another run this spring (at least this was what was posted on another thread) Assuming I can't get the BFGs, and I need tires yesterday, what other tires do you recommend in those sizes?
Thanks
Glenn
Thanks
Glenn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,009
Likes: 3,341
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have 255/60 T/As on all 4 corners with ralleys and have no problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
I just ordered Yokohama Avid's 245's for front and 255's for rear from Tire Rack. Cheaper than T/A's and rated better in the rain. (and personally I like the looks better). We'll see, they get here Tuesday (only 3 business days shipping!!) Thanks Luke@tirerack!!!!
Rob
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
If 255's rub they will do so on the inside dogleg when cranked all the way (by footwell).
Not a big deal.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 524
Likes: 8
From: Manahawkin NJ
I think he's saying the 245 T/A's arent available at the moment.
I just ordered Yokohama Avid's 245's for front and 255's for rear from Tire Rack. Cheaper than T/A's and rated better in the rain. (and personally I like the looks better). We'll see, they get here Tuesday (only 3 business days shipping!!) Thanks Luke@tirerack!!!!
Rob
I just ordered Yokohama Avid's 245's for front and 255's for rear from Tire Rack. Cheaper than T/A's and rated better in the rain. (and personally I like the looks better). We'll see, they get here Tuesday (only 3 business days shipping!!) Thanks Luke@tirerack!!!!
Rob
I guess it is Washington.
let us know how they work out.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Glenn, the 255's may rub when you turn the wheel from lock to lock or on hard turns like parking. I put the 245's up front and 255's on rear and you can't tell the difference from 10 feet away. However that's not true w/the 235's they look small from 100 feet and they are small. Don't put 235's on the car. If you can't get the BFG's, Firestone makes a 500 Firehawk that looks & handles well. Or go with Goodyear you can't go wrong there. I don't know if they still make RWL tires in the 245 & 255 size. G/L post pic' of your new shoes
Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 550
Likes: 2
From: smithfield nc usa 27577
The 76 I bought has indy firehawks, 255s they have rubbed paint off the fender lips...the car was missing its rear spring...so this might have had something to do with it...but they still may rub.
The car that he is putting them on is a 72 right?
I think I would not go any bigger than 245.
The car that he is putting them on is a 72 right?
I think I would not go any bigger than 245.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
I have the Indy 255's on the front and they do rub, I have 550 lb spring up front. At the rear I'm running 275's with no problems at all. I had 245 T/A's all around and thought that they were the worst tire I had ever driven on. The Indy's are far superior.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,009
Likes: 3,341
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Hmmm. Makes me wonder why mine don't come close to rubbing in front. Everything bone stock. Weird....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
When I replaced the BFG with Firestone Firehawks 6 years ago, I went with stock sizing to avoid rubbing, speedo error and front end "wandering." Good luck with your decision... 
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
For street driving I have the same as you did, BFG 245 +255 60/15 TAs.
I would go with a top five pick at the tire rack, probably the Firehawk Indy 500. Top rated and many happy users here. For good manners on the street,I will go with a 225 or 235 on front next time.
I would go with a top five pick at the tire rack, probably the Firehawk Indy 500. Top rated and many happy users here. For good manners on the street,I will go with a 225 or 235 on front next time.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 242
Likes: 3
From: New York, NY USA
I am the one who posted a week or so ago asking for help finding the 245 60 15 BFG TAs - I have scoured the Internet and most of the country with no luck - I just think its a better looking, more traditional tire for C3s than the OWL Yokos or Firestones - You can get black dunlops from Tire rack, but I am holding out for the BFGs -- just hope I am not still waiting for Michelin (owns BFG) to pour the rubber in the molds in June...In my search I've had Summit, Tire Rack and others tell me they have hundreds of this size on back order -- can't understand why they don't just make a run of these tires if they are sold already - seems like easy profit they are just overlooking....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,009
Likes: 3,341
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I never got it either. This tire is the #1 choice with '60s & '70s muscle car owners because of the looks. Looks like there would be alot sales waiting out there.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Shoreline WA
I am running Yokohama's on both my 71 and 78. When I orginally bought the 78, it had Goodyear Eagle GTs and later I had installed some GT+4s. The 71 came with Goodyear S/Ts. In my opinion the Yokohamas are a great value and were an upgrade over what I was running before.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,023
Likes: 1,181
From: La Mesa CA
Thanks for the great input.
Here is what happened.
The 71 I just got had very old 255/60/15s on all four tires. The front drivers side tire separated. I tried to find 245/60/15 just to play it safe with the rub issue. I went to Discount Tire and they said they could not get them.
In a turn of good fortune, a friend of mine told me he had two used 245/60/15s in his garage he would sell me. (Thanks Rich!). I had them mounted and balanced and took the car out for a spin.
However, when I got home, closer inspection of the rear tires showed one of them was starting to separate!! So back to Discount where they were able to locate two 255/60/15.
So I am in business for now. But it is distressing the 245/60/15s are not available. They are a great looking tire.
Glenn in San Diego
Here is what happened.
The 71 I just got had very old 255/60/15s on all four tires. The front drivers side tire separated. I tried to find 245/60/15 just to play it safe with the rub issue. I went to Discount Tire and they said they could not get them.
In a turn of good fortune, a friend of mine told me he had two used 245/60/15s in his garage he would sell me. (Thanks Rich!). I had them mounted and balanced and took the car out for a spin.
However, when I got home, closer inspection of the rear tires showed one of them was starting to separate!! So back to Discount where they were able to locate two 255/60/15.
So I am in business for now. But it is distressing the 245/60/15s are not available. They are a great looking tire.
Glenn in San Diego
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, Ohio
I called summit today and asked about the BFG's 245/60-15's, I was told they are on back-order until the end of march. I will wait for them even though the local tire dealer has 225/70-15 BFGs instock for $80 each. I too wish Michlin would remove their head from the ole buttox 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Creswell OR
I did not know that BFG. was owned by Michelin.Does anyone know if Michelin owns any other tire brands?I will NEVER buy a Michelin tire,so this means that BFG. is out of the question also.I am very interested in knowing this.It's a personal thing my friends..........