C3 Tire sizes
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Guelph, Ontario
C3 Tire sizes
Hope some one can provide direction. I have a 1971, base coupe, auto. Have new American Racing 15" x 8" wheels. Usual configuration typically used is 255 x 60 x 15, which mounts on an 8 inch wheel. Would like to try Michelins, but the biggest 15" tire they have is a 215 x 70 x 15. The diameter is very close, but the tire is supposed to be mounted on a wheel with a max width of 7 inches.
Anyone know what may happen if I do the Michelins on the 8 inch rim?
And, as an alternate to the usual 255 x 60 x 15 BFG T/A, any comments on the Cooper Cobra of same size on A C3?
Thanks all,
peter
Anyone know what may happen if I do the Michelins on the 8 inch rim?
And, as an alternate to the usual 255 x 60 x 15 BFG T/A, any comments on the Cooper Cobra of same size on A C3?
Thanks all,
peter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 258
From: Dublin Ohio
When I went to get a 215 70 15 tire (used tire for a spare in case I needed it down the road) mounted on a 15 x 8 wheel the tire shop told me the same thing.
I told them this is the size of tire it came with from the factory. Do it.
They put the tire on the rim and said "huh, look at that. "
I told them this is the size of tire it came with from the factory. Do it.
They put the tire on the rim and said "huh, look at that. "
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Guelph, Ontario
When I went to get a 215 70 15 tire (used tire for a spare in case I needed it down the road) mounted on a 15 x 8 wheel the tire shop told me the same thing.
I told them this is the size of tire it came with from the factory. Do it.
They put the tire on the rim and said "huh, look at that. "
I told them this is the size of tire it came with from the factory. Do it.
They put the tire on the rim and said "huh, look at that. "
I guess that means the tire mounted properly. But as a spare you haven't driven on it to notice any issues because of mounting on a wheel to wide?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 258
From: Dublin Ohio
Yes. It mounted fine. They were concerned they wouldn't be able to seal the bead but once they were they were ok with the end result.
It was the original tire size for the 15x 8 rally wheels. Maybe someone that drove their car with the original tires will be able to help.
It was the original tire size for the 15x 8 rally wheels. Maybe someone that drove their car with the original tires will be able to help.
Last edited by BarryB72; Mar 1, 2019 at 09:37 AM.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Yes. It mounted fine. They were concerned they wouldn't be able to seal the bead but once they were they were ok with the end result.
It was the original tire size for the 15x 8 rally wheels. Maybe someone that drove their car with the original tires will be able to help.
It was the original tire size for the 15x 8 rally wheels. Maybe someone that drove their car with the original tires will be able to help.
7" rim for a 215 is recommended but not necessary.......
Some people like the look better as it more closely emulates how the car was when new.
Jebby
Last edited by Jebbysan; Mar 1, 2019 at 10:15 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
My current C3, a 71 roadster, had oe steel 15 x 8 rally and BIAS ply uniroyal raised white letter tigerpaws size F70-15 (modern equivalent 215/70-15). Those bias ply tiger paws were Very old, dry & hard and they drove and handled awful scarey. Acquisition was some 15 years ago. I drove it home some 1000 miles from where I bought car; and maybe another thousand before I finally chose which replacement tires. I chose to keep the oe rally rims; I like how they look. I had them blasted and I repainted them.
I got a great deal through my local Farm Services on new tires that are made by same company as Cooper Cobra GT.
I got RADIAL raised white letter Jetzon Revenger GT size 235/60-15. They don't rub, fit real well, look just as nice and ride & handle great. Yes, that size is a bit shorter than I preferred but I soon didn't notice it further. That size was made USA; next size up (245) was Not usa. Revenger GT same tire as Cooper Cobra GT in same size ... just a different name. I understand another brand in same size, Mastercraft, is also same tire.
I got a great deal through my local Farm Services on new tires that are made by same company as Cooper Cobra GT.
I got RADIAL raised white letter Jetzon Revenger GT size 235/60-15. They don't rub, fit real well, look just as nice and ride & handle great. Yes, that size is a bit shorter than I preferred but I soon didn't notice it further. That size was made USA; next size up (245) was Not usa. Revenger GT same tire as Cooper Cobra GT in same size ... just a different name. I understand another brand in same size, Mastercraft, is also same tire.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Guelph, Ontario
That's what I thought about original size. I would like to try the Michelin, instead of the BFG and Cooper, which are the only suppliers of big tires I cam find in Canada. Appreciate your assistance!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 63
From: Tempe, Az
I run Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/Ts on my '80, 255/60R15 front and rear. Supposedly the same as Cooper Cobras. They're better than the BFGs, imo, for spirited driving. Crap in the wet, though, but so are the BFGs.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
235 width radial tires are the widest that will always fit in a '71s front wheel well. 245's might fit. Some will accept 255's.
215R70-15 has same tire diameter as the original F70-15's; 225R70-15 tires are just slightly larger. IMO, 235R70-15's have too large a diameter to look right.
235R60-15's have the same diameter as the F70-15's and look better than stock, IMO. Unless you are into road course racing, larger width tires than 235's are unnecessary.
215R70-15 has same tire diameter as the original F70-15's; 225R70-15 tires are just slightly larger. IMO, 235R70-15's have too large a diameter to look right.
235R60-15's have the same diameter as the F70-15's and look better than stock, IMO. Unless you are into road course racing, larger width tires than 235's are unnecessary.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
From: Miami Fl
I just put 255/60/15 BFG and had rubbing issues on both front tires when turning. I put back the 215/65/r15 and no problem. The 255/60 are 27 inches tall and 10 inches wide, the 215/65 are 26 inches tall and 8.5 inches wide. This is a 71 coupe I have had for 3 years, has anyone had this issue? The rims on the 215 are 15x6 the rims on the 255 are 15x8 for a 79 corvette.