15" Wheels Only Picture Thread
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 14
From: LaMoille Illinois
The first time I saw it I thought WTF 
and then as I really looked at it and the workmanship to make it all happen it quickly became one of my favorite customs here 
I bet you get lots of haters at shows and cruises where the cat hates you because when you pull in and park people ignore his ride to look at yours....
On your rear wheels do you recall the backspacing ?
and then as I really looked at it and the workmanship to make it all happen it quickly became one of my favorite customs here I bet you get lots of haters at shows and cruises where the cat hates you because when you pull in and park people ignore his ride to look at yours....
On your rear wheels do you recall the backspacing ?
Last edited by blunblk68; Apr 9, 2016 at 12:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 3,437
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I have US Mags Indy U101 15x10 all around with 265/50R15 front and rear. No great pictures yet as it is still being worked on, but I can update later on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
Yes they are Hankook Ventus H101's They are one of the few brands that had the size I was looking for in 15" I'm concerned that my next tire change I will be forced to goto 18" rims
Tim
Tim
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 110
Likes: 10
Tires
I don't want to change wheels or tire size!
Wondering about the white letters, somewhere I read that hankook is just painted on, if painted, does it come off easily?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 600
Likes: 110
From: Mainz
I like 15 Inch wheels on the C3 and classic Muscle Cars in General the best too. It is just period correct and Looks great. I dont understand, since the demand for These tires is there, why the good Tire Companys dont produce as the demand requires. Companys like Good Year or Michelin. Yes, I know there is the Michelin XWX but it is only produced as big as 225, and it is outrageous expensive. Why dont they produce a good "H" rated tire anymore in various sizes?????? People would by it, I believe.
Last edited by Alex66; Apr 14, 2016 at 01:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
That concerns me also, previously I used GR50-15 T/A's same as 265/50-15. I have a set of Zenith Knock-off wire wheels that I purchased in 1980.
I don't want to change wheels or tire size!
Wondering about the white letters, somewhere I read that hankook is just painted on, if painted, does it come off easily?
I don't want to change wheels or tire size!
Wondering about the white letters, somewhere I read that hankook is just painted on, if painted, does it come off easily?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
I like 15 Inch wheels on the C3 and classic Muscle Cars in General the best too. It is just period correct and Looks great. I dont understand, since the demand for These tires is there, why the good Tire Companys dont produce as the demand requires. Companys like Good Year or Michelin. Yes, I know there is the Michelin XWX but it is only produced as big as 225, and it is outrageous expensive. Why dont they produce a good "H" rated tire anymore in various sizes?????? People would by it, I believe.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I like 15 Inch wheels on the C3 and classic Muscle Cars in General the best too. It is just period correct and Looks great. I dont understand, since the demand for These tires is there, why the good Tire Companys dont produce as the demand requires. Companys like Good Year or Michelin. Yes, I know there is the Michelin XWX but it is only produced as big as 225, and it is outrageous expensive. Why dont they produce a good "H" rated tire anymore in various sizes?????? People would by it, I believe.
So my rub is tires, in 15" the biggest I can get is 295 50 15 ( how long until the are gone ) and since I wanna run L-88 flares on the rear I will have to space that out to get the flare full, I will likely some day have to give in and get some 18" wheels just to get a wider tire but they will not be the trendy positive offset but rather deep dish and something that at least is trying to look classic like the thrust d's
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
I am no purist but I feel the worse thing a person can do to a classic c3 is stick on taller modern positive offset wheels seems 99% just look like pimp wheels out of the ghetto to me, pretty much ruins a great car ,
So my rub is tires, in 15" the biggest I can get is 295 50 15 ( how long until the are gone ) and since I wanna run L-88 flares on the rear I will have to space that out to get the flare full, I will likely some day have to give in and get some 18" wheels just to get a wider tire but they will not be the trendy positive offset but rather deep dish and something that at least is trying to look classic like the thrust d's
So my rub is tires, in 15" the biggest I can get is 295 50 15 ( how long until the are gone ) and since I wanna run L-88 flares on the rear I will have to space that out to get the flare full, I will likely some day have to give in and get some 18" wheels just to get a wider tire but they will not be the trendy positive offset but rather deep dish and something that at least is trying to look classic like the thrust d's
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 110
Likes: 10
Oversize wheels
I am no purist but I feel the worse thing a person can do to a classic c3 is stick on taller modern positive offset wheels seems 99% just look like pimp wheels out of the ghetto to me, pretty much ruins a great car ,
So my rub is tires, in 15" the biggest I can get is 295 50 15 ( how long until the are gone ) and since I wanna run L-88 flares on the rear I will have to space that out to get the flare full, I will likely some day have to give in and get some 18" wheels just to get a wider tire but they will not be the trendy positive offset but rather deep dish and something that at least is trying to look classic like the thrust d's
So my rub is tires, in 15" the biggest I can get is 295 50 15 ( how long until the are gone ) and since I wanna run L-88 flares on the rear I will have to space that out to get the flare full, I will likely some day have to give in and get some 18" wheels just to get a wider tire but they will not be the trendy positive offset but rather deep dish and something that at least is trying to look classic like the thrust d's
Another advantage to a larger wheel is room for larger brakes to improve braking.
A larger wheel with a lower profile tire translates to less sidewall flexing and improved handling characteristics. IMHO. After more than 50 + years of owning various Corvettes, I like my '69 best !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 3,437
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I am no purist but I feel the worse thing a person can do to a classic c3 is stick on taller modern positive offset wheels seems 99% just look like pimp wheels out of the ghetto to me, pretty much ruins a great car ,
So my rub is tires, in 15" the biggest I can get is 295 50 15 ( how long until the are gone ) and since I wanna run L-88 flares on the rear I will have to space that out to get the flare full, I will likely some day have to give in and get some 18" wheels just to get a wider tire but they will not be the trendy positive offset but rather deep dish and something that at least is trying to look classic like the thrust d's
So my rub is tires, in 15" the biggest I can get is 295 50 15 ( how long until the are gone ) and since I wanna run L-88 flares on the rear I will have to space that out to get the flare full, I will likely some day have to give in and get some 18" wheels just to get a wider tire but they will not be the trendy positive offset but rather deep dish and something that at least is trying to look classic like the thrust d's
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I think the key changing wheel sizes is the overall diameter of the tire in relationship to the wheel opening. I have seen 17" & 18" wheels with a lower profile tire that is nearly identical to 15" 60 or 70 series diameters.
Another advantage to a larger wheel is room for larger brakes to improve braking.
A larger wheel with a lower profile tire translates to less sidewall flexing and improved handling characteristics. IMHO. After more than 50 + years of owning various Corvettes, I like my '69 best !
Another advantage to a larger wheel is room for larger brakes to improve braking.
A larger wheel with a lower profile tire translates to less sidewall flexing and improved handling characteristics. IMHO. After more than 50 + years of owning various Corvettes, I like my '69 best !
a c3 suspension was designed for 15 wheels and tires while one might believe that a harsher ride due to less side wall on a 18" wheel means better handling and in some cases it might help a wee little bit the amount it hurts ride and helps handling isn't worth the trade off to me since I will never be on a track, many people do race with stock vette brakes but again I am a street cat and like any other street driven vette I do not need larger brakes unless it's just to brag about..
Damn cool looking old school tires but the 15's in the wide sizes are larger diameter than most want on a vette...unless they have some I missed
I picked the 15" wheels I'm using because they were cheap and my absolute favorite old school style wheel. With that being said I do think 18" look better, but I agree they have to have a deep dish. Not flush. When I have the extra cash I'm going to get some 18" because all the performance tires are in 18".
like I said I will likely be forced to 18's due to wide tires in 15 not being made but I will never think any wheel bigger than 15" looks better on these classic cars....please do get 18"s and sell me your slots at a killer deal.....
Last edited by The13Bats; Apr 16, 2016 at 03:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 3,437
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
