C3 Tires
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
C3 Tires
Does anyone know if these were or not if which tires were used for the 1978 Corvette. I’m restoring my recently bought corvette and I want see what were used in the factory. I’ve seen people have different brands including Goodyear tires.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,509
From: Virginia
No, those are not factory, but are one of the few remaining inexpensive options for raised white wall tires.
Since your BFG RWLs haven't browned, they might have been made before they changed the composition. Please check the date codes on the sidewalls, and replace them if they are more than 7 years old. Don't drive on old tires!
You can download a vehicle information kit from GM that will tell you what came on the car originally:
https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/...formation-kits
And for 77 and newer cars (like yours), you can even order a copy of the dealer invoice, which shows what options came with the car, and the dealership that first received it. Nifty info, and worth the $50-
https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive
Welcome to the Forum!
Since your BFG RWLs haven't browned, they might have been made before they changed the composition. Please check the date codes on the sidewalls, and replace them if they are more than 7 years old. Don't drive on old tires!
You can download a vehicle information kit from GM that will tell you what came on the car originally:
https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive/...formation-kits
And for 77 and newer cars (like yours), you can even order a copy of the dealer invoice, which shows what options came with the car, and the dealership that first received it. Nifty info, and worth the $50-
https://www.gm.com/heritage/archive
Welcome to the Forum!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Omaha NE
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You probably won't be able to find out the brand, just if it came with RWL.
When I ordered my '76 with RWL I asked the salesman if I could get Firestone 500's because I liked it's looks the best.
He told me I couldn't order the brand, just RWL's. Goodyear & maybe General were also used that year.
Lucky me, I got the Firestone's & 3 years later had a tread separation....something they became infamous for...
When I ordered my '76 with RWL I asked the salesman if I could get Firestone 500's because I liked it's looks the best.
He told me I couldn't order the brand, just RWL's. Goodyear & maybe General were also used that year.
Lucky me, I got the Firestone's & 3 years later had a tread separation....something they became infamous for...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 670
From: Northeast
Standard factory was P225/70R15 Goodyear Polysteel Radial "Blackwall" tires.
Option was a P225/70R15 Goodyear and Polysteel Radial on the sidewall in solid white block letters.
Option P255/60R15 Raised white letter tires denoting Goodyear and GT Radial on the sidewall. Front fender trimming was needed if you opted for these at the factory.
Looks like you can buy some:https://www.ecklers.com/1978-1982-co...-261127-1.html
Spare tire is a 195/80/15
Option was a P225/70R15 Goodyear and Polysteel Radial on the sidewall in solid white block letters.
Option P255/60R15 Raised white letter tires denoting Goodyear and GT Radial on the sidewall. Front fender trimming was needed if you opted for these at the factory.
Looks like you can buy some:https://www.ecklers.com/1978-1982-co...-261127-1.html
Spare tire is a 195/80/15
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Standard factory was P225/70R15 Goodyear Polysteel Radial "Blackwall" tires.
Option was a P225/70R15 Goodyear and Polysteel Radial on the sidewall in solid white block letters.
Option P255/60R15 Raised white letter tires denoting Goodyear and GT Radial on the sidewall. Front fender trimming was needed if you opted for these at the factory.
Looks like you can buy some:https://www.ecklers.com/1978-1982-co...-261127-1.html
Spare tire is a 195/80/15
Option was a P225/70R15 Goodyear and Polysteel Radial on the sidewall in solid white block letters.
Option P255/60R15 Raised white letter tires denoting Goodyear and GT Radial on the sidewall. Front fender trimming was needed if you opted for these at the factory.
Looks like you can buy some:https://www.ecklers.com/1978-1982-co...-261127-1.html
Spare tire is a 195/80/15
$515 for orginal Polysteels direct from Coker.
https://www.cokertire.com/amfinder/index/index?finder_id=32895038
$605 for the 255/60R15
https://www.cokertire.com/tires/good...255-60r15.html
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,509
From: Virginia
BFGs look pretty good. I'd consider Cooper Cobras, or Mickey Thompson Sportsman G/Ts, as well. Just as good, and possibly a bit cheaper. You should be able to find a whole set, installed, for close to the price of one replica tire. A set of 4 BFG Radial T/As in 255/60R15 is ~$800- at Costco.
And they look good on a black car!
And they look good on a black car!
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 281
From: New York
Standard factory was P225/70R15 Goodyear Polysteel Radial "Blackwall" tires.
Option was a P225/70R15 Goodyear and Polysteel Radial on the sidewall in solid white block letters.
Option P255/60R15 Raised white letter tires denoting Goodyear and GT Radial on the sidewall. Front fender trimming was needed if you opted for these at the factory.
Looks like you can buy some:https://www.ecklers.com/1978-1982-co...-261127-1.html
Spare tire is a 195/80/15
Option was a P225/70R15 Goodyear and Polysteel Radial on the sidewall in solid white block letters.
Option P255/60R15 Raised white letter tires denoting Goodyear and GT Radial on the sidewall. Front fender trimming was needed if you opted for these at the factory.
Looks like you can buy some:https://www.ecklers.com/1978-1982-co...-261127-1.html
Spare tire is a 195/80/15
I paid $650 per tire for Michelin PS2 335/35X17 and thought that was a lot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 385
From: Leland , North Carolina
BFGs look pretty good. I'd consider Cooper Cobras, or Mickey Thompson Sportsman G/Ts, as well. Just as good, and possibly a bit cheaper. You should be able to find a whole set, installed, for close to the price of one replica tire. A set of 4 BFG Radial T/As in 255/60R15 is ~$800- at Costco.
And they look good on a black car!
And they look good on a black car!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,509
From: Virginia
And if the OP wants to drive the car the way it appears to have been prepped to drive (like a clapped out sports car!), he shouldn't waste his money on 15" tires anyway. Go straight to 18" wheels and tires.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
If the OP is considering a $3200- set of NCRS special reproduction tires, on a car that needs a $15K paint job and a new hood, he should reconsider his life choices. He'd be far ahead giving that car away and starting over if an NCRS car is the goal.
You'd have to enter your zip at Costco. And I wouldn't recommend BFGs, unless I was confident that they've solved their browning problem (Raised Brown Letters, RBLs). My point was that a good enough set of tires shouldn't cost that much. I run Cooper Cobras on my car, for now.
And if the OP wants to drive the car the way it appears to have been prepped to drive (like a clapped out sports car!), he shouldn't waste his money on 15" tires anyway. Go straight to 18" wheels and tires.
You'd have to enter your zip at Costco. And I wouldn't recommend BFGs, unless I was confident that they've solved their browning problem (Raised Brown Letters, RBLs). My point was that a good enough set of tires shouldn't cost that much. I run Cooper Cobras on my car, for now.
And if the OP wants to drive the car the way it appears to have been prepped to drive (like a clapped out sports car!), he shouldn't waste his money on 15" tires anyway. Go straight to 18" wheels and tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
It’s a 78, cut it up and have fun with it. Nothing special about an original 78. Not any more than anything special about an original 74. That’s why I’m cutting mine up and making it into a fun car. All the cars from the mid to late 70s were pigs anyway.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
Can you show me what you’ve done with yours. I like things original but also when people do unique customs to their cars since it’s different
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,509
From: Virginia
The links above have the correct size tires, and your dealer invoice will tell you what your car actually came with. No reason not to use 255/60R15 tires on those original option YJ8 wheels.
I just don't like spending money twice, and if you are going to drive this car, you may come out ahead buying 18" wheels now. If you know what your vision is for the car, please start a build thread! The Forum loves projects, and pictures.
Good luck with the car!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
Took about 15 coats of paint off of it down to the bare fiberglass repaired all the damage, shaved all the emblems side marker, lights, and painted it torch red. Built a nice little 355. Stainless steel header side pipes. Coil Overs upfront. I’ve got offset trailing arms and Coil Overs to go on the back that have yet to be installed. All new brake system. All new fuel system. Still got the interior to do.