Robert Maskiew

I have a 1970 Corvette. I want to retain the stock Rally rims, and want to install the widest tire this rim will accept. Currently my Corvette has B.F.Goodrich Radial T/A. Front size is 215/65r15 and rear size is 255/60r15. Oh, and must have raised white lettering, and of Radial construction. Any thoughts?

TheSkunkWorks

FYI: there have been some reports of front tires larger than 245's rubbing early C3 frames. Don't recall if that included 70's, but may be a reason that a good number of C3's are running 245 fronts / 255 rears. You can probably mount larger tires than the 255's on the stock rims, but handling will suffer due to increased sidewall instability.

sperkins

Mine had 275/60/15's on it when I bought it.

TheSkunkWorks

sperkins, you appear to have taken care of that and the ride height problem.

7T1vette

I put 225/60s on the front...I think you can go up to 235/60s without any rubbing. On the back you can get 255/60s on it. If you go larger width, you might want to get 55s so that the diameter of the tire isn't too big [see above]. The bigger problem may be finding something in those sizes with RWL on them [that you like!].

sperkins

Ahhh... Much better.

Tim H

245/60s are getting hard to find.
225/70s will feel the wheelwell up and is the stock size.
215/65s, and 235/60s are the worst mistake you can make!

vetteguy75

I put 245's on mine (front) and they rubbed when I turned the wheel lock-to-lock....went down to 235's and they worked perfectly. The next set I get I may go to 70 series...they do fill the tire wells alot better and (to me) make the care look more "era correct". Good Luck!

Robert Maskiew

Thanks for your tips on this matter. Now, being well-armed, I will visit my friendly local tire store. Really appreciated.

early shark

I ran a 265x50x15 B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A all the way around on several of my '70 Corvettes, worked fine with stock 15x8 rally wheels.

James1970

I started a thread on this same topic a few weeks ago. Decided to stay with 225/70-15's instead of going to 245/60-15's. No regrets. The 70's are plenty wide, are close to stock, don't rub, handle great and fill the wheel wells.

James1970

TheSkunkWorks

the 245/60's will fill the wheel wells if you lower your ride height.

Tim H

I;ll be darned if Im going to spend hundreds of dollars just to make a car fit a tire!!!!!!!!

TheSkunkWorks

Cosmetics aside, the primary benefits of improved handling and reduced drag which come with proper lowering of the C3 are worth it to many of us.

lowrod vette

well my 78 has 20in. rims so you can fit some big tires on your vette