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Greetings. I need some advice.I have a 1973 L82 Coupe. I have been running Goodyear Eagle GTIIs almost ever since I found the car in a barn back in 2000. My front tires are 235/60R/15s. They are going bald and need to be replaced. Of course, these tires are long discontinued and no where to be found. The back 295/50R/15 (see picture)
are still in great shape. I found a pair of 255/60R/15s with less than 500 miles. Here's my question...are 255s TOO BIG to run on the front? I know they will fit but will theyy create steering problems?? Thank yo for the advice. Jim in AZ.
The fitment of Corvette front fenders seems to vary, so while the 255s are dimensionally acceptable, they may have some clearance issues....then again, they may not. HOWEVER, as you have already mentioned, the Eagle GTIIs are an OLD tire. How old are yours? They might not have a lot of miles, but they may be beyond their "use by date". You may want to consider a new set of tires.....
Leadfoot is correct.
The internet is is loaded with stories of accidents and deaths related to aged tires that still appear to have great tread. Most manufacturers give their tires a life span of 6 years regardless of tread depth. Less, of course, in warmer climates. I've experienced this first had with a set of tires on my truck. When I bought it the tires had 90%+ tread on them and looked great. I drove it home and had a blowout causing some pretty severe damage to my quarter panel. Date code showed the tires to be 10 years old.
You could not give me a set of used tires for free.
The cost is not that high for a set of new tires and there's just too much riding on them to take a chance.
Hey friends, thank you for the help and advice. As much as I love the look of those Goodyear Eagle GTIIs, I am taking your advice and buying 4 brand new BF Goodrich T/As. I lost a 69 triple black Stingray convertible in an accident back in 1984. I still miss that car. I have owned this 1973 L-82 Coupe now for 18 years, don't want to smash it ( or me) up. Thank you again!!!
You may want to run 245/60-15's in the front. I think they are still available in the T/A's.
I decided to go with the exact same size tires that I have on the 1973 Corvette L-82 now....235/60r/15 front and 295/50r/15 rear. I grew up street racing in the late 60s-early 70s in San Francisco. We always had big fat wide rear tires for 1/4 traction. My whip back then was a 65' GTO with wide Mickeys on the rear. Jacked the rear up with air shocks. Glory Days So, I am still going with that look.
I decided to go with the exact same size tires that I have on the 1973 Corvette L-82 now....235/60r/15 front and 295/50r/15 rear. I grew up street racing in the late 60s-early 70s in San Francisco. We always had big fat wide rear tires for 1/4 traction. My whip back then was a 65' GTO with wide Mickeys on the rear. Jacked the rear up with air shocks. Glory Days So, I am still going with that look.
Thank you for all the replies regarding my issue with buying outdated tires. As great as those Goodyear Eagle GTII looked, I took all of your advice and moved on. Amazing that I had them on the Vette since 2002??
New BF Goodrich T/As all around 235/60r/15 on the front and fat 295/55r/15s on the rear. nt IMG_1591.jpg
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1973 Tires help!!
