265/50 r15?????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 27
From: Southern Virginia
265/50 r15?????
Ran across some wheels the other day. (4) 8.5 X 15 American Torque thrust with 3.75 backspace. They also came with 3/8" spacers if necessary. It's old school but so am I. I like the look.
I've searched the forum but can't seem to find those wheel dimensions with 265/50 R15's on a car. I don't see why this combination won't fit but before I pulled the trigger on new tires I was hoping for some experience from the experts. Photos would be great if possible.
I've searched the forum but can't seem to find those wheel dimensions with 265/50 R15's on a car. I don't see why this combination won't fit but before I pulled the trigger on new tires I was hoping for some experience from the experts. Photos would be great if possible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
For a few years Corvette Central was having these wheels specially made to fit Corvettes. I bought a set which are on the car in the photo above. They fit perfectly without any spacers. Unfortunately the only way to find out if the wheels you are looking at are the right ones is to try one on the car. gjohnson is quite correct. The regular Torque Thrusts will not clear the calipers on a Corvette. BTW the tires are 255/60R15s.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 317
Likes: 27
From: Southern Virginia
According to the seller, these wheels came off a '68. I've got a '79. With the '68 the spacers were necessary.
While I'm not totally confident, I seem to remember there's a little more clearance on the later models.
I've searched the forum a great deal and found lots of info on 60 & 70 series but not so much on 50 series.
What little I could find on 50's, guys were using a much wider tire and also had fender flares.
Jebbysan, there's not a lot of selection but yes 265/50 R15's are available.
Hopefully someone has tried this before.
While I'm not totally confident, I seem to remember there's a little more clearance on the later models.
I've searched the forum a great deal and found lots of info on 60 & 70 series but not so much on 50 series.
What little I could find on 50's, guys were using a much wider tire and also had fender flares.
Jebbysan, there's not a lot of selection but yes 265/50 R15's are available.
Hopefully someone has tried this before.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You C3 guys have a big advantage with the larger wheel wells and wider factory wheels ove the midyears.
I offer the following info for reference regarding sidewall profiles even though the examples are for midyears.
It is getting harder and harder to find a lot of 15” tires especially if you are looking for V speed rated or better.
I am not a lover of non stock wheel sizes because in order for them to fit in the wheel wells without rubbing you have to reduce the sidewall size. When you get into 18” wheels they begin to look like rubber bands rather than tires. 16” tires are terrible for selection so I have opted for 17” for my 1965 so I can buy REASONABLY priced V rated tires. I have Avons on my 1966 15” KOs but they were about $1800. including shipping for a set of 4.
Check out post # 11 in this link for a car with 17” wheels that has a GREAT stance/look and the sidewalls don’t look like rubber bands.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...els-again.html
I offer the following info for reference regarding sidewall profiles even though the examples are for midyears.
It is getting harder and harder to find a lot of 15” tires especially if you are looking for V speed rated or better.
I am not a lover of non stock wheel sizes because in order for them to fit in the wheel wells without rubbing you have to reduce the sidewall size. When you get into 18” wheels they begin to look like rubber bands rather than tires. 16” tires are terrible for selection so I have opted for 17” for my 1965 so I can buy REASONABLY priced V rated tires. I have Avons on my 1966 15” KOs but they were about $1800. including shipping for a set of 4.
Check out post # 11 in this link for a car with 17” wheels that has a GREAT stance/look and the sidewalls don’t look like rubber bands.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...els-again.html
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Cooper may still make them Id ck into it. Bought a set about 6 yrs ago, fit an 8" rally pretty good..Sidewall looked just right, not balloonish nor too short Think the name Mastercraft refers to the same tire (mfr)
Dont have an answer on your backspace/fit question.
Wish these tire mfrs would bring back the 50 series 15s theres still plenty that would buy
Dont have an answer on your backspace/fit question.
Wish these tire mfrs would bring back the 50 series 15s theres still plenty that would buy
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