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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 09:35 PM
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first time getting new shoes and wondering whats a descent tire for a low price
ive been looking into the firestone indy 500's P225/70R-15

Last edited by ngroat7007; Aug 28, 2008 at 11:10 PM.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 10:33 PM
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i just bought 4 g f goodrich from ntb ran me $481.00.size are 225/60/15.this size vas given to me by a senior member.they fit the wheel wells great.i went with the same size all the way around.but that member sent pics of his 71 with 255/60/15 in the rear and 235/60/15 in front.and they looked good.i have stock 15x8 wheels.hope this helps.
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Old Aug 28, 2008 | 11:09 PM
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now im wondering what size would be best with stock wheels....
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by ngroat7007
now im wondering what size would be best with stock wheels....
I used the stock sizes on my 1977. Firestone Indy 500's P225/70R-15.
Tires are holding up very well.

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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 09:36 AM
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On my "73"

Front: BF Goodrich Radial TA`s 245/60/15`s
Rear: BR Goodrich Radial TA`s 255/60/15`s

original rally rims.

Rod
Love the Vette
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 09:57 AM
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If you want the 'stock' look, 225/70x15 is the direct replacement. In the mid/late 1970's, C3 tires went to 60 series for lower profile. If you plan on some 'hard' driving/steering, you probably need to research the best brand/rating tires for your car; if you just want to drive the streets and enjoy the car, go with 235/60x15's all the way around. Also, I believe that you can still order Goodrich T/A radial [raised white letter] tires from Wal-Mart. Check their website to see if they can still get them.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 10:09 AM
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Also when buying tires check the DOT, this represents the week and year the tire was manufactured, people have put tires on their vehicle thinking they are new, finding out later the tires are quite old.

Just a matter of interest, for your buying experience.

Rod
Love the Vette
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 10:34 AM
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The optional tire for your car was 255/60X15'a from GM. They don't cost much more and give your car a nice look. Look at Tire Rack.com. It at least gives you a starting point for you are shopping for tires.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 11:07 AM
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I got 4 tires and a spare for around 550 at discount tire.

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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 05:28 PM
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I paid around $600 for a set of 4 255/60X15' BF Goodrich Radial T/A's for my 79 last year. This was the price for the tires, installed, stems, balanced etc..

So far, they've been great tires.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 05:44 PM
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235/60/15 will fit like a glove, and will not rub anywhere.
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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 05:47 PM
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I am currently running 225/70/15 which are a bit wider than stock but do fill the wheel wells nicely. If your car is stock height try to stick with a tire 27" tall. I will soon be putting 245/45/18 all the way around on TT2's.
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 06:06 PM
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I've been happy with BF Radial T/A's on my stock 1969 Corvette rims. I don't drive it much, and after 15 years they have no splits, cracks or any issues due to age!
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by jimbux
I've been happy with BF Radial T/A's on my stock 1969 Corvette rims. I don't drive it much, and after 15 years they have no splits, cracks or any issues due to age!
Do a search of this site with regard to tire shelf life. There is a recent thread. I like Radial T/As too, but a 15 year old tire is way past the time it should be replaced. You couldn't see any cracks or issues with mine either until one failed due to tread separation.
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 06:45 PM
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I removed the wheels from my 76 yesterday and they were all date coded 1991. Name:  Davids Red 77 (25).JPG
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So today the tires were removed from my wheels at STS and I paid to have them disposed. Too big a risk running on 17 year old tires, not a good idea.

I want to clean up all five of my wheels, media blast, prime, paint and then I will have them re-treaded. Your thread here has me re-thinking the 225/70R15 I thought I was going to put back on the car. I like the idea of a 235/60R15 but will make this decision in another week or so when my wheels are finished and ready for rubber.

Great thread, thanks for starting it and be careful about running on old tires folks, very dangerous.

David
77Sleeper
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 07:46 AM
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FYI, if you are cheap like me, don't pay the disposal fee and take the tires home with you. Most communities have something called "big garbage pickup day". You are allowed two tires/month in the disposal pile. Chances are the first two will disappear before they are picked up. I tend to put mine out a day or two early. When they go, dump the next two.

Same goes for waste oil, which I collect in Tidy Cat containers. Can hold 2-3 oil changes per jug. Saves money, and still gets properly disposed of.

I hear ya on the old tires thing. The rubber on the Vette I bought last year was in good shape, but OLD. First thing I did was get new Goodrich's on there. Not before I burned a little off the old ones though.
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 10:16 AM
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I got mine from Firestone for about $450. Very happy with em 255/60/15




Last edited by BritewhiteC3; Aug 31, 2008 at 10:18 AM.
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 08:04 PM
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Hello,

Both BF Goodrich Radial T/As and Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s are
excellent choices for the classic look. For your car, I can only assume
the size was the same as mine - 225-70-15.



Last summer, I put on the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 225/70/15s
on my 70'. They ride great and look sharp.

I also made sure the tires were new as well.
When you buy new tires, look at the last set of embossed numbers.
My date code was 1708. The first set of numbers, the weeks into the
calendar year and the last 2 numbers, the year the tires were built.
My date code, the 17th week of 2008.

The BF Goodrich Radial T/As and the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s 225/70/15 are priced
about the same, around $400.00 for a set of four. I had my choice of both for $400.00 with
road hazard protection, disposal and tax included.

Last edited by Rudy's Stingray; Apr 11, 2009 at 01:02 AM. Reason: Updated photos
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 08:54 PM
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I'm running 245/60/15 front and 275/60/15 rear all on original 15x8 rallye wheels, no clearance issues and I like the stance.


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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by rydoc
On my "73"

Front: BF Goodrich Radial TA`s 245/60/15`s
Rear: BR Goodrich Radial TA`s 255/60/15`s

original rally rims.

Rod
Love the Vette
same sizes except mine are cooper cobras.
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