Time for Tires
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
I just put 255/60/R15 T/A's on this past fall. The T/A was a primo tire back in the 80's, everybody raved about them. And as far as I'm concerned they're plenty good for my Vette today.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
Be advised that when the 255/60-15 used, '77 and up Corvettes had their front fenders trimmed at the factory.
They also fit better with the factory aluminum wheel than the Rally wheel. Some brands of 255/60-15 on the Rally wheel could hit the emergency brake cable bracket.
Now many have no issues with them but the 1973 and up cars also sat higher, due to the rubber body mounts. They were about a 1/4 inch higher than 1968 to 1972 so this makes a difference in how the tires fit and look.
The 235/60-15 is a bit small, but remember, the original tire was the F70-15, not the GR70-15 used from 1973 up. So the 235/60-15 does match the F70-15 fairly closely.
Probably the best fit in looks and clearance is the 245/60-15 but these are usually hard to find. Another thought is the 255/50-15 but that is nearly impossible to find.
They also fit better with the factory aluminum wheel than the Rally wheel. Some brands of 255/60-15 on the Rally wheel could hit the emergency brake cable bracket.
Now many have no issues with them but the 1973 and up cars also sat higher, due to the rubber body mounts. They were about a 1/4 inch higher than 1968 to 1972 so this makes a difference in how the tires fit and look.
The 235/60-15 is a bit small, but remember, the original tire was the F70-15, not the GR70-15 used from 1973 up. So the 235/60-15 does match the F70-15 fairly closely.
Probably the best fit in looks and clearance is the 245/60-15 but these are usually hard to find. Another thought is the 255/50-15 but that is nearly impossible to find.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
I've only run T/A's or Firehawks on my '72. Live the look of the T/A's but prefer the ride and handling of the Firehawks. The tires are 5 yrs old now, vette stored indoors so am hoping to get 2 more yrs out f them. Will move up to 17" wheel/tire package once the current tires need to be swapped out. T/A's were 245s for 3 sets,the Firehawks are 255/275.
I read that with today's compounds and tire technology that there is no advantage to a larger tire these days, it is now about esthetics. Can't remember if he was the chief engineer for Pirelli or Goodyear.
I read that with today's compounds and tire technology that there is no advantage to a larger tire these days, it is now about esthetics. Can't remember if he was the chief engineer for Pirelli or Goodyear.
