68 wheels and tires
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
68 wheels and tires
Seems like I can't find exactly the answer I am looking for so.... I have a 68 -327. I plan to use the car as a driver. I'll do some hard driving but those days are mostly over for me. Ya know, once in a while floor it on the green. So I want reasonable traction but no HP stuff required. I just want to have a little fun.
IS it correct that only the 68 came stock with 7" Rallye wheels?
Can I use the 69 8" vette rallye wheels without any clearance trouble?
I plan on using BF Goodrich Radial TA's as they look great and seem to be popular.
What are the stock tire size I would use for each the 7 or 8 inch wheels?
If I want to go with wider tires for a better look what can I get away with on the stock rim with no clearance problems?
Lastly, I don't know what I am talking about so if anyone can post pictures and state their wheel sizes for reference than It will go a long way in making up my mind. I bet the stock look is fine!
Appreciate any insight.
IS it correct that only the 68 came stock with 7" Rallye wheels?
Can I use the 69 8" vette rallye wheels without any clearance trouble?
I plan on using BF Goodrich Radial TA's as they look great and seem to be popular.
What are the stock tire size I would use for each the 7 or 8 inch wheels?
If I want to go with wider tires for a better look what can I get away with on the stock rim with no clearance problems?
Lastly, I don't know what I am talking about so if anyone can post pictures and state their wheel sizes for reference than It will go a long way in making up my mind. I bet the stock look is fine!
Appreciate any insight.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13,185
Likes: 99
From: West Chester OH
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
The 68's came with 7" wheels. You can put the 8" wheels on as a previous owner did to mine.
I have P24560R15 T/A radials, they look pretty good IMHO, you can judge for yourself.
I have P24560R15 T/A radials, they look pretty good IMHO, you can judge for yourself.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13,185
Likes: 99
From: West Chester OH
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
If you have a 1968, the wheels are 7 in. from the factory. 8 in, wheels first appeared on 1969`s not 1968`s. I used my original 7`s on the front and a pair 1969, 8`s on the rear. The 8`s will clear with room to spare on all 4 corners.......... 
PS, original 7`s are scarce and expensive
PS, original 7`s are scarce and expensive
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I have original 7 " rims with 215/70-15 tires all around which is the same tire as originally installed . Rather narrow for a performance car.
I presently drive 8 " rims all around with 235/70-15 front and 275/60-15 rear. Have minor clearance problems mainly due to the HOOKER side exhaust headers on the drivers side slightly touching the tire when the tire drops into a didge, hence car lifts off. But no problem.
Drove 235/70-15th for the last 5 years all around without any issue.
I think that 235/60-15 front and 255/60-15 rear would be a perfect fit for the 68 regardless if on 7 or 8 " rims.
Günther
I have original 7 " rims with 215/70-15 tires all around which is the same tire as originally installed . Rather narrow for a performance car.
I presently drive 8 " rims all around with 235/70-15 front and 275/60-15 rear. Have minor clearance problems mainly due to the HOOKER side exhaust headers on the drivers side slightly touching the tire when the tire drops into a didge, hence car lifts off. But no problem.
Drove 235/70-15th for the last 5 years all around without any issue.
I think that 235/60-15 front and 255/60-15 rear would be a perfect fit for the 68 regardless if on 7 or 8 " rims.
Günther
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 660
Likes: 4
From: Fredericksburg VA
I have a 68 with the 7s at all 4 corners I run BF Comp TAs 275-50-15 in the rear and 245 60 15 front. No fitment issues. Not to steel your thread but I am planning on taking them off and putting on 17/18 inchers. Tires only have about 500-600 miles on them.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
If you have a 1968, the wheels are 7 in. from the factory. 8 in, wheels first appeared on 1969`s not 1968`s. I used my original 7`s on the front and a pair 1969, 8`s on the rear. The 8`s will clear with room to spare on all 4 corners..........
PS, original 7`s are scarce and expensive
PS, original 7`s are scarce and expensive
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 660
Likes: 4
From: Fredericksburg VA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Seems like I can't find exactly the answer I am looking for so.... I have a 68 -327. I plan to use the car as a driver. I'll do some hard driving but those days are mostly over for me. Ya know, once in a while floor it on the green. So I want reasonable traction but no HP stuff required. I just want to have a little fun.
IS it correct that only the 68 came stock with 7" Rally wheels?
Can I use the 69 8" vette rally wheels without any clearance trouble?
I plan on using BF Goodrich Radial TA's as they look great and seem to be popular.
What are the stock tire size I would use for each the 7 or 8 inch wheels?
If I want to go with wider tires for a better look what can I get away with on the stock rim with no clearance problems?
Lastly, I don't know what I am talking about so if anyone can post pictures and state their wheel sizes for reference than It will go a long way in making up my mind. I bet the stock look is fine!
Appreciate any insight.
IS it correct that only the 68 came stock with 7" Rally wheels?
Can I use the 69 8" vette rally wheels without any clearance trouble?
I plan on using BF Goodrich Radial TA's as they look great and seem to be popular.
What are the stock tire size I would use for each the 7 or 8 inch wheels?
If I want to go with wider tires for a better look what can I get away with on the stock rim with no clearance problems?
Lastly, I don't know what I am talking about so if anyone can post pictures and state their wheel sizes for reference than It will go a long way in making up my mind. I bet the stock look is fine!
Appreciate any insight.
I run 235/ 60/ 15 firestone firehawks all around on the stock 7s and there is room like they say to go to 255 in the back and probably the front may be a Little snug though so I would say no bigger that 245's without mods, and no offsets required for these tire sizes
I love the firehawks but there are varying opinions. I use my car as a daily driver and these tires have worked well in all weather conditions, on highway and street. I like RWL so I will stay with 15 in rims but will be putting a set of slots on later
I also have a stockish 327 68
so feel free to ask away, we 68er's stick together around here
Drive it like you stole it
Tim
Last edited by sweethence; Mar 22, 2007 at 08:54 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
No, original T/As and the 275 in the back have no problem, not even with the parking brake bracket. I never understood the problem with this bracket because it sits right at the edge of the rim and can never touch any tire section. May be other cars have it sitting further up opposite of tire sidewall, but mine doesn't.
I have a thread on this, think it starts like, " pro and cons about COOPER tires " . Some pics of the gaps are in there.
Günther
No, original T/As and the 275 in the back have no problem, not even with the parking brake bracket. I never understood the problem with this bracket because it sits right at the edge of the rim and can never touch any tire section. May be other cars have it sitting further up opposite of tire sidewall, but mine doesn't.
I have a thread on this, think it starts like, " pro and cons about COOPER tires " . Some pics of the gaps are in there.
Günther
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 0
From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
You might consider sticking with the original wheels and putting that extra money towards a better tire. BFG's are popular and a good tire, but there are a lot of better tires out there. I learned that one from experience. Anyway, the 7" wheels will be fine if you're not going to run 275's. I prefer the 245 in a 60 series tire for the 68 Vette. The 275's are a bit too big for that car... IMO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Hi
No, original T/As and the 275 in the back have no problem, not even with the parking brake bracket. I never understood the problem with this bracket because it sits right at the edge of the rim and can never touch any tire section. May be other cars have it sitting further up opposite of tire sidewall, but mine doesn't.
I have a thread on this, think it starts like, " pro and cons about COOPER tires " . Some pics of the gaps are in there.
Günther
No, original T/As and the 275 in the back have no problem, not even with the parking brake bracket. I never understood the problem with this bracket because it sits right at the edge of the rim and can never touch any tire section. May be other cars have it sitting further up opposite of tire sidewall, but mine doesn't.
I have a thread on this, think it starts like, " pro and cons about COOPER tires " . Some pics of the gaps are in there.
Günther
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
My 69 came with the wrong wheels - 7" and I've just recently put the correct 8" set on.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN LOOKS !!!
The car just looks so much better - before it looked like a girl with a skirt flaring out over skinny legs, now she looks properly proportioned.
Handling is the same ( I run 245 Cooper Cobra's all round ) have no issues with frame rub etc.
Donated 7's to an El Camino
WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN LOOKS !!!
The car just looks so much better - before it looked like a girl with a skirt flaring out over skinny legs, now she looks properly proportioned.
Handling is the same ( I run 245 Cooper Cobra's all round ) have no issues with frame rub etc.
Donated 7's to an El Camino