Tire replacement
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
M/T , Nanking.
the white letters on the BFGoorich are known for turning brown over time. Mine did. Finally purchased wheels/tires in 17” for better choices.
Last edited by speedreed8; May 15, 2020 at 12:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You have limited options. BF Goodrich T/A radials and Cooper Radial are the raised white letter tires that I know of. There may be others.
Of the two sizes you mentioned, 245R60-15's would be my choice, IF they will fit in the front without rubbing. The early C3's ('68-74) would ALL accept the 235R60-15's in front. But only about half of them would accept 245's without any rubbing.
Of the two sizes you mentioned, 245R60-15's would be my choice, IF they will fit in the front without rubbing. The early C3's ('68-74) would ALL accept the 235R60-15's in front. But only about half of them would accept 245's without any rubbing.
Last edited by 7T1vette; May 15, 2020 at 09:53 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 127
Likes: 34
From: South Carolina
OEM tire size I think was GR70-15 which best equates to 225R70-15 in today's sizes. This was the standard size tire through end of production of the C-3. Optional tire size was 255R60-15 starting in 78 through end of C-3 production. Many state that they have no problem running 255R60-15 tires on all C-3 cars and some report slight rubbing at full lock on the front. I can tell you that 78 and 79 cars ordered with the optional tires had the fronts of the front wheel lips trimmed from the factory, but I have never heard of people having rubbing issues in that area on unmodified cars, so go figure. I also have noted a lot of guys reporting rubbing are running aftermarket wheels that although may be 15X8 (stock) size, most aftermarket wheels in that width are 4.5 back space and the factory wheel has 4.0 backspace. I had a friend that ran 245R60-15 tires on a 75 with no issues, but is a slightly shorter tire and I (and he also) felt it did not fill the wheel well completely. Lots of pictures on this forum to compare to. Chip.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There were some design changes in the 1977 cars to open up the wheel wells for larger tires. That's why the rocker panel for later years is shorter than for the earlier C3's. If you buy 255's for an earlier car, you can do damage to body parts going over rough road surfaces. Check carefully, rather than to just take someone's word who was lucky with the fit of those tires. No problem if they will fit.....could be costly, if they don't.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 88
Likes: 45
From: Littleton Colorado
I’m also looking at new tires. I went to BF Goodrich’s site and checked the latest reviews on the T/A’s as they’re my favorite “looks” wise. Every one of them, as recent as this week, is a complaint about the lettering turning brown. I remember this issue from a couple of years ago, but I’d assumed it had been addressed. I was wrong. They are still putting out a faulty product without regard for consumer dissatisfaction. In such a niche market you would think all the bad reviews would have caught up with them. All you have to do is google BFG and Brown Letters to see the extent of the problem. But if folks keep buying them, no need to address it I guess. It’s too bad because I think nothing looks better on a C3. I guess I’ll finally give the Cooper Cobras a shot.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Mastercraft also makes tires that fit C3 rims. Mine are about 6 years old now and the raised white letters still look good. Some good old Wesley's Blech White gets the white letters looking nearly new for a couple months. I have the "standard" 225/70/15s and they have a very good grip. I loose my nerve when having fun on dry, curvy, rural roads before they loose traction.
The Mastercrafts certainly won't wear as well as the BF Goodrich but age alone will have any tire I buy due for replacement before the tread is worn out.
The Mastercrafts certainly won't wear as well as the BF Goodrich but age alone will have any tire I buy due for replacement before the tread is worn out.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
think mastercraft/cooper are the same made by Kelly I believe
MT or cooper would be my choice had no issues, many sets
BFG...script is ok but the rest of the tire meh....
MT or cooper would be my choice had no issues, many sets
BFG...script is ok but the rest of the tire meh....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 333
From: Dallas TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'09,'22,'25
Related to tire size, anyone know why my speedo would be so far off? 1969 427 4-speed 3:36 rear gears show 70 on the speedo but 82 on my GPS app.
Seems factory tires equated to either 205/70/15 which are 26.3" tall or 215/70/15 which are 26.9" tall.
I'm running 235/60/15 which are 26.1" tall so that's pretty close to the 205's... I wouldn't think my speed should be so far off. Any clues, thanks.
Seems factory tires equated to either 205/70/15 which are 26.3" tall or 215/70/15 which are 26.9" tall.
I'm running 235/60/15 which are 26.1" tall so that's pretty close to the 205's... I wouldn't think my speed should be so far off. Any clues, thanks.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,130
Likes: 4,242
From: US-PNW
Related to tire size, anyone know why my speedo would be so far off? 1969 427 4-speed 3:36 rear gears show 70 on the speedo but 82 on my GPS app.
Seems factory tires equated to either 205/70/15 which are 26.3" tall or 215/70/15 which are 26.9" tall.
I'm running 235/60/15 which are 26.1" tall so that's pretty close to the 205's... I wouldn't think my speed should be so far off. Any clues, thanks.
Seems factory tires equated to either 205/70/15 which are 26.3" tall or 215/70/15 which are 26.9" tall.
I'm running 235/60/15 which are 26.1" tall so that's pretty close to the 205's... I wouldn't think my speed should be so far off. Any clues, thanks.
I believe the two comparable sizes are 205/75/15 (d=27.1") or 215/70/15 (d=26.9").
Last edited by barkingrats; Jun 15, 2020 at 03:15 PM.
