Tire Sizes for 1969
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I think it's less the biggest size you can fit on the rims but the biggest you can fit without clearance problems. The stock size if F70-15, or the current P-metric size P215/70R15. Chevrolet didn't make fenderwell changes that would officially allow 60 series tires until the '78 model year.
That being said, I think P255/60R15 have worked on many owner's cars but not on others...it seems to be a car by car thing. Some have said going to a P245/60R15 works.
In the front a wider tire can hit when turning...in the rear the trailing arms and parking brake cable brackets are the problem.
Basically all you can do is try different sizes and see if they clear. If they do...you're golden. If not, try a smaller size, modify the trailing ams and/or the brake cable mount or stick with 70 series.
That being said, I think P255/60R15 have worked on many owner's cars but not on others...it seems to be a car by car thing. Some have said going to a P245/60R15 works.
In the front a wider tire can hit when turning...in the rear the trailing arms and parking brake cable brackets are the problem.
Basically all you can do is try different sizes and see if they clear. If they do...you're golden. If not, try a smaller size, modify the trailing ams and/or the brake cable mount or stick with 70 series.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
From past threads, it seems like 235/60x15's will fit almost all early C3's. Some will take up to 255's. It would be best to check yours for clearances {front, back, inside & outside of each front wheel when turned lock-to-lock} with your present wheels; then compare max tire thicknesses of your tires and all new tire 'candidates' to see what will fit.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,731
Likes: 15
245/60/15 also keep speedo close. Speedo reading is with stock 215/70/15 tires actual speed is with 245/60/15.
Speedometer Difference
Speedo Reading Actual Speed
20 mph (32.19 km/h) 19.79 mph (31.86 km/h)
25 mph (40.23 km/h) 24.74 mph (39.82 km/h)
30 mph (48.28 km/h) 29.69 mph (47.78 km/h)
35 mph (56.33 km/h) 34.64 mph (55.75 km/h)
40 mph (64.37 km/h) 39.59 mph (63.71 km/h)
45 mph (72.42 km/h) 44.54 mph (71.68 km/h)
50 mph (80.47 km/h) 49.49 mph (79.64 km/h)
55 mph (88.51 km/h) 54.44 mph (87.61 km/h)
60 mph (96.56 km/h) 59.38 mph (95.57 km/h)
65 mph (104.61 km/h) 64.33 mph (103.53 km/h)
Speedometer Difference
Speedo Reading Actual Speed
20 mph (32.19 km/h) 19.79 mph (31.86 km/h)
25 mph (40.23 km/h) 24.74 mph (39.82 km/h)
30 mph (48.28 km/h) 29.69 mph (47.78 km/h)
35 mph (56.33 km/h) 34.64 mph (55.75 km/h)
40 mph (64.37 km/h) 39.59 mph (63.71 km/h)
45 mph (72.42 km/h) 44.54 mph (71.68 km/h)
50 mph (80.47 km/h) 49.49 mph (79.64 km/h)
55 mph (88.51 km/h) 54.44 mph (87.61 km/h)
60 mph (96.56 km/h) 59.38 mph (95.57 km/h)
65 mph (104.61 km/h) 64.33 mph (103.53 km/h)
Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 318
Likes: 8
From: Houston Texas
Will these tires/rims fit
Here is a great link to help you see the difference between tires and wheels.
http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp
Just plug the stock size in first and then the size you wish to try and it will tell you difference...
I think the stock tire size was an f70 x 15... Todays equivalent would a 215/70/15 rim size is 15 inch rim width 8.0 inches rim backspace is 4 inches or (-13 offset)
By plugging these numbers into the link above it will show you the difference....r
http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp
Just plug the stock size in first and then the size you wish to try and it will tell you difference...
I think the stock tire size was an f70 x 15... Todays equivalent would a 215/70/15 rim size is 15 inch rim width 8.0 inches rim backspace is 4 inches or (-13 offset)
By plugging these numbers into the link above it will show you the difference....r
