I have a 69 and stock tires are 215/70/R15's.
I will need to replace them soon and want to know what size tires I can comfortably install without causing problems?

 

I run 245/60-15 on my 71. 255 will fit on the rear but might rub up front.

Rob

 

I have 255's all the way around on my 70. Some people get away with them. On mine they're just a little too wide. The bottom inner lip of my front fenders rub on a hard turn. Just a little bit too close. I've thought about trimming the lip on my fender, or let the tires wear a bit, maybe replace the front's only?

Seems 245 or narrower are safer bets.

 

Hi 69,
I believe you need to think about how 'tall' your new tires are not just how 'wide'. Study up on how the '70', '60', part of the size designation affects the height of the tire and thus how it affects how the tire fills the diameter of the wheel well. For example a '50' series tire can be very wide but at the same time quite short.
Good luck with your choice!
Regards,
Alan

 

Yes, 255/60/15 are the biggest we can use easily.

Some older C3's do require a slight trim of the lower inner front edge of the front fender lip. This trim job is slight, virtually unnoticable, and became a factory "do" in the late 70's.

There are pics available here to do this job correctly and painlessly. Unless you have an NCRS show car - this trim job lests you use the same tires that later C3's shipped with.

-W

 

Actually both. With a shorter tire I think you can get away with more width before you'll have problems with rubbing the edge of the fender on turns. It would be roughly a function of the distance from the centerline determined by the ball joints to the outer edge of the tire. This would determine the arc the edge of the tire will take on turns. In the case of my 70, just a bit too close. It looks like if the car had a bit less castor in the alignment, A-arm swung forward a bit more, it may have cleared.

For wide tires the width of the rims should be considered as well.

 

Two weeks ago I replaced my two front tires. I intent was to purchase two 255/50 15tires and move the 225/60 15's to the front. Instead I bought 225/50 15 tires. When I got the tires home I noticed that they were not as tall as the 60/15's. I went ahead and put them (new tires) on the front and kept the 60/15's on tires. They don't look too bad

 

255/60/15's all around on my 69, no rubs, fill the guards

 

This was my 1st time using a forum of any type and I did not know what to expect.
I was concerned with sizing up to 225/70/R15's, but it looks like I have quite a few options.
I really appreciate all the information.
69 blue shark

 

Please feel free to use the resource!! Welcome! I've had my 68 for over 30 years and I was "alone" with it - until I got here.

The 255/60/15's are the same outside diamater as your (and my) stock tires were - just wider. So to look at the car they "look right" and fill the wheel wells the same way as new. They were in fact the stock tire size from 79-82 as I recall.

Whether they rub a little up front, or not - seems to be a matter of the front springs. If the springs are such that the car has sagged in the front (even 1/2") they won't rub. Now that I put brand new springs in mine they do rub - and I'll do the little trim like GM did.

-W

 

Thanks.
We lucked onto this car 3 years ago for a good price.
Since then, we have "freshened up the entire suspension,both front & rear, replaced the mini-shafts, replaced the main brake cylinder, replaced the interior carpeting and rebuilt the original seats and recovered, installer a new radio/CD player and speakers, serviced the gage package, replaced 650 Holley carb that came with it for a 770 Holley "Street Avenger" dual pumper along with the manifold, replaced radiator and heater hoses with steel braided hoses,not the wraps and fuel lines as well.
Unfortunately, hit a deer about 6 months ago and did about $7000 damage. Happy to report that I found a great Corvette guy here in the Baltimore area,(Lew's Classic Corvette), and he did an excellent job in replacing the entire front end and blending the paint to match the rest of the car.(We intend to repaint entire car within a year). We replaced the radiator too, since it had developed a small leak. Made sense to take care of it now, since the front end was off!!!
Drove the car to Syracuse, NY for the show at Sylvan Beach with our club,(Free State CC), in July, just after getting it back from all the deer repairs and there were 580 Corvettes that showed up. We won 1 of the 20 "Sponsor's" awards for the show!!!
Ocean City, Md. "Corvette Weekend" that Free State sponsors is October 16th, so we are looking forward to a good weekend in a fews!!!
Thanks for your reply,
69 Blue Shark

 

Hi 69,
Thanks for your additional info.
It sounds like you're really enjoying your car!
Regards,
Alan

PS: Where is Lew's located?

 

I really like this tire size calculator (Yes, it is a MIATA website.. )
for comparing sizes - all the various dimensions - of different tires. Note there is a button to push that lets you view the tires from the side or from straight-on.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

I gotta ask... did you get the "correct" one with the bleeders?

That deer strike sucks.

Never go to Wayne's Garage in Baltimore (near the Hotel with the Greyhound stop).
Not even to put air in your tires.

Lew could do that front fender trim (if needed) in his sleep I'd bet.

-W

 

Where are the pics?

Not an NCRS show car, my target is a very nice weekend driver which could be brought to a show if desired.

 

Yes, got "correct" one.
Have put the deer strike behind us and looking forwarf to good times cruising around and exploring with our group!!!

 

Alan71 - You can find Lew's on the web, but he is listed in Glen Arm. However, that is a little misleading, he also has a shop off of North Point Blvd. that is Lew's Deisel. He has been in that business for many years. Seems he openned up the Corvette shop with a son several years ago but he was killed in an accident. They had even built a new, modern shop, up in Glen Arm to do the corvette work.
I dropped my car off at North Point, which was convenient, and he did the removal of the front end,straightening out brackets and reinstallation there, then took the car up on one of his lift-back tow trucks to Glen Arm and did the painting and finishing work. I had the choice of picking it up at either location or he would have dropped it off when he finished.
Great guy and stands behind his work!!! With Corvette Specialty moving to California, I can see this guy getting a lot more business. His prices are fair and reasonable and I would recommend him to anyone in need of fixing or refurbishing their corvette!!!

 

I'll start a new thread and they'll pop up...



-W