Bikersully

I have seen several posts regarding tire sizes. Several of those posts stated the largest tire size to fit a C3 is 255/60/15. I discovered the Copper Futura GLS Super Sport 255/60/15 will NOT fit the front of a 1972 coupe. I had to go with 235/60/15. My vette is 100% stock. Just wanted to share my experience which may help others.

Mako72

On my '72 with stock 15x8 wheels, the P255 would have been too much. I ended up running the P245's. They barely brushed the frame at full lock up front and just cleared the emergency brake cable in the rear. The P235's I ran previously cleared everything.

Ontario73

255/60-15 BFGs on my stock 73 wheels fit perfecty!

hugie82

Where are the tires hitting? On some cars at full lock they'll get a little rubbing on the sway bar or the inner edge of the fender. As long as you're aware and avoid full lock if possible, you'll be fine.

jb78L-82

Had a friend with a 74 L-82 4 speed that used 245/60/15's for tires with no rubbing.

Dino_'72

I have a '72. Stock 15 x 8 rally's. 255-60-15 on rear and 245-60-15s on front. No issues.

Bikersully

Tires were hitting the front fenders. The 255 had a 27 inch diameter, 245 have a 26.6 inch diameter, the 235 have a 26 inch diameter. The 235 have a nice comfortable fit where I never have to worry about rubbing and they look good. I also wanted all tires to be the same size.

Richard454

I'm running the same- if I try really hard I might get one to slightly rub the frame on the front.





When it just home from the tire store-

DSCN4137 by Richard Hayes, on Flickr

ddawson

If they are hitting the front of the fender your caster isn't set well. A good caster setting will move the tire back from the fender.

Hammerhead Fred

Running 255/60/15 on stock rims on my 72 no issues.

69Vett

235 x15 fit's C3's guaranteed. anything bigger depends on variables,
tire style, caster, 68-69 no wheel-well flare, rim offset, body alignment.

ezobens

Ride height is also key-
If your springs are worn and the height isn't to spec, the 255s will rub the fender.
My 69' has no clearance issues with 255s all around running stock height and stock alignment.

7T1vette

Until the C3's front wheelwells were opened up ('78??), getting 255R60-15's on the front of the car was pretty rare (less than 15% of the time); 245's probably fit on 1/3 of the early C3's: 235's would always fit, unless there was some underlying problem with the car.. The original tire size on those cars was equivalent to a 225R60-15 ('69-72) or 235R60-15 ('73-77).

Putting 255's on the rears was no problem.

thegazman

When GM installed 255/60X15's as a factory option they cut the front wheel well opening larger by 1/2". I discovered this when I installed a front spoiler on my 1979 L-82 with factory aluminum wheels and 255/60 tires.

7T1vette

I could be in error, but I believe they were opened 1-1/2" larger.

marc1973

I have those same tires and the 255 work great on my 73 they just touch the frame alittle bit at full lock but other than that they work for me