C3 Tires
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Miami Fl
C3 Tires
I ripped the tread off my rear right this weekend.
Anyone had a similar problem? Seem like a defective tire.
Regardless, I've got to get a new set. What do you guys recommend? Goodyear Speedway, BF Goodridge T/As or Firestone wide oval?
Anyone had a similar problem? Seem like a defective tire.
Regardless, I've got to get a new set. What do you guys recommend? Goodyear Speedway, BF Goodridge T/As or Firestone wide oval?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,094
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From: Sierra Foothills CA
What's the date of manufacture? It's entirely possible that the tire is old enough to fail in that manner simply due to age. Age limit is generally around 6-7 years before tires should be replaced for safety purposes. There have been some really ugly photos posted here of damage done when a tire de-laminates while the car is being driven. It's amazing how torn up fiberglass gets from that.
If you post what size you're looking for, I'm sure folks will pop up with the usual recommendations. You can also use the search function in this section and the C3 Performance section for tire recommendations. This comes up pretty regularly and there have been some pretty passionate debates over brands and sizes.
If you post what size you're looking for, I'm sure folks will pop up with the usual recommendations. You can also use the search function in this section and the C3 Performance section for tire recommendations. This comes up pretty regularly and there have been some pretty passionate debates over brands and sizes.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 78
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From: Clifton New Jersey
I bought my 71 last year. The tires looked like new so I did not even think about them. Over the winter I took off the wheels to do some work on the car and checked the date code on the inside of the tire "2000". Last night I ordered 4 new BF Goodrich T/A Radials 225/70R15 from Jegs $131 Ea. + free shipping .
I will be changing the tires before I use the car this spring.
I will be changing the tires before I use the car this spring.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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I'm glad it didn't damage your car. I had a tread desperation on my F250 and it beat my fender and exhaust in, i had to have the collapsed tip of the exhaust cut off and had to pull the fender out and reshape it. You got off lucky. I wish that tire age dating part of the 10 things to know thread so this doesn't happen
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi HT,
Not a pretty picture. Lots of brand new looking but 10-15 year old (or more) tires mounted on cars today.
The 3 tires you list are quite different.
The tires being sold as a "Goodyear Speedway" Wide Tread and the "Firestone" Super Sports "Wide Oval" are current reproductions of the original tires used on 68-72 cars when they left St.Louis.
The BF Goodrich Radial T/A is a contemporary tire.
The construction and performance characteristics of those 3 tires vary widely.
The Firestone and Goodyear tires are often purchased by someone who is interested in having a new tire on their car that looks like the original tires did.
What year is your car and what are you looking for in a tire in both appearance and performance?
Regards,
Alan
Not a pretty picture. Lots of brand new looking but 10-15 year old (or more) tires mounted on cars today.
The 3 tires you list are quite different.
The tires being sold as a "Goodyear Speedway" Wide Tread and the "Firestone" Super Sports "Wide Oval" are current reproductions of the original tires used on 68-72 cars when they left St.Louis.
The BF Goodrich Radial T/A is a contemporary tire.
The construction and performance characteristics of those 3 tires vary widely.
The Firestone and Goodyear tires are often purchased by someone who is interested in having a new tire on their car that looks like the original tires did.
What year is your car and what are you looking for in a tire in both appearance and performance?
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 22, 2017 at 08:09 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
++ on checking the DOT week and date....mine look brand new but are 13 years old....going the BF Goodrich white letter route in the next week or two.
Deliberating on going 255\60 vs 225\70 for the stock rallys.....
Deliberating on going 255\60 vs 225\70 for the stock rallys.....
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 720
Likes: 205
From: Michigan
I'm getting a new set of Goodrich T/As tomorrow - all around.
Found out they don't make Firestone Eagle GTs anymore for 15 inch rims.
I needed 2 new rears, and the fronts had plenty of tread left (now I will be checking the dates on them!).
But due to unavailability, and not wanting to have different tires on fronts vs. rears, I'll be investing in 4 new tires.
I'm replacing directly with 255/60's at all four corners.
Now wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are to those wider footprints?
(I know I at least have a nagging/intermittent park brake cable rub on the right rear inner side wall today). Would 70's help to alleviate this?
Found out they don't make Firestone Eagle GTs anymore for 15 inch rims.
I needed 2 new rears, and the fronts had plenty of tread left (now I will be checking the dates on them!).
But due to unavailability, and not wanting to have different tires on fronts vs. rears, I'll be investing in 4 new tires.
I'm replacing directly with 255/60's at all four corners.
Now wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are to those wider footprints?
(I know I at least have a nagging/intermittent park brake cable rub on the right rear inner side wall today). Would 70's help to alleviate this?
Last edited by Bergerboy; Mar 22, 2017 at 02:46 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Bb,
It would depend on what 70 series tire you select.
The problem with bigger 70 series tires is that as you make them WIDER they also get TALLER and the side wall begins to look like a tire for a pick-up truck.
Regards,
Alan
It would depend on what 70 series tire you select.
The problem with bigger 70 series tires is that as you make them WIDER they also get TALLER and the side wall begins to look like a tire for a pick-up truck.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 45
Likes: 5
From: Miami Fl
thanks for the info guys. I will definitely check the date codes. I'm likely getting a set of new tires for safety and I'm more interested performance, duribility and costs than an exact replica tire. I'm leaning to the BFs TAs as it seems that they are much cheaper.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
O.k. now you guys got me leaning towards 255/60/15's vs. 225/70/15's.....
are the 255/60's a better choice for appearance?
Looks like they would produce a little more wheelwell gap but are an inch or so wider.
are the 255/60's a better choice for appearance?
Looks like they would produce a little more wheelwell gap but are an inch or so wider.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,341
Likes: 101
What's the date of manufacture? It's entirely possible that the tire is old enough to fail in that manner simply due to age. Age limit is generally around 6-7 years before tires should be replaced for safety purposes. There have been some really ugly photos posted here of damage done when a tire de-laminates while the car is being driven. It's amazing how torn up fiberglass gets from that.
If you post what size you're looking for, I'm sure folks will pop up with the usual recommendations. You can also use the search function in this section and the C3 Performance section for tire recommendations. This comes up pretty regularly and there have been some pretty passionate debates over brands and sizes.
If you post what size you're looking for, I'm sure folks will pop up with the usual recommendations. You can also use the search function in this section and the C3 Performance section for tire recommendations. This comes up pretty regularly and there have been some pretty passionate debates over brands and sizes.
........... if anyone insists on sticking with a 15" wheel......you have a couple of things to think about.1. You're limited in choice and for good reason. This is no longer a "typical" size.......and you're accepting that most manufacturers have abandoned it. Those that still offer it won't do anything better than an all season tire. You really can't find a "good" performance tire in 15".....or at least that was my experience.
2. When you do find tires you like......in this size more that most any other .....you really do need to find that date code on the sidewall. Who knows how long it's been sitting in a warehouse waiting for you to come along and buy it or a set of 4?
Personally I gave up on the old BFG 15" tires ......modern suspension under my car really deserved modern wheels and tires. As big a chinage as no more steel leaf and coil springs was....... upgrading to a more popular sized 17" wheel was an easy choice and it gives me access to more performance tire choices.
Last edited by Krystal; Mar 23, 2017 at 08:54 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi pmr,
To my eye the 225/70 tire gives a more 'era' typical appearance… relatively tall compared to section width.
While the 255/60 tire gives a more 'contemporary' appearance… relatively wide section width compared to height.
How much tire to fender arch space there is depends on the notorious 'ride height' dimensions.
They are both good looks and is up to personal preference.
Regards,
Alan
255/60-15 tires.
Very close to original ride height.
Even the black wheels appear to make a difference in the tires' appearance.
Same car, same wheels, different tires. (215/70-15)
To my eye the 225/70 tire gives a more 'era' typical appearance… relatively tall compared to section width.
While the 255/60 tire gives a more 'contemporary' appearance… relatively wide section width compared to height.
How much tire to fender arch space there is depends on the notorious 'ride height' dimensions.
They are both good looks and is up to personal preference.
Regards,
Alan
255/60-15 tires.
Very close to original ride height.
Even the black wheels appear to make a difference in the tires' appearance.
Same car, same wheels, different tires. (215/70-15)
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 23, 2017 at 09:14 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,341
Likes: 101
Hi pmr,
To my eye the 225/70 tire gives a more 'era' typical appearance… relatively tall compared to section width.
While the 255/60 tire gives a more 'contemporary' appearance… relatively wide section width compared to height.
How much tire to fender arch space there is depends on the notorious 'ride height' dimensions.
They are both good looks and is up to personal preference.
Regards,
Alan
To my eye the 225/70 tire gives a more 'era' typical appearance… relatively tall compared to section width.
While the 255/60 tire gives a more 'contemporary' appearance… relatively wide section width compared to height.
How much tire to fender arch space there is depends on the notorious 'ride height' dimensions.
They are both good looks and is up to personal preference.
Regards,
Alan
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
........... if anyone insists on sticking with a 15" wheel......you have a couple of things to think about.1. You're limited in choice and for good reason. This is no longer a "typical" size.......and you're accepting that most manufacturers have abandoned it. Those that still offer it won't do anything better than an all season tire. You really can't find a "good" performance tire in 15".....or at least that was my experience.
2. When you do find tires you like......in this size more that most any other .....you really do need to find that date code on the sidewall. Who knows how long it's been sitting in a warehouse waiting for you to come along and buy it or a set of 4?
Personally I gave up on the old BFG 15" tires ......modern suspension under my car really deserved modern wheels and tires. As big a chinage as no more steel leaf and coil springs was....... upgrading to a more popular sized 17" wheel was an easy choice and it gives me access to more performance tire choices.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 54
I have Goodrich TAs dated 2011. Based on service records from the PO they have around 6,500 miles on them. I've read some replacement recommendations saying 10 years and some as little as 6 years.
Should I be thinking about new tires?
Should I be thinking about new tires?
