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Another Tire Question!

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Old Jul 1, 2020 | 12:20 AM
  #1  
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Hey everyone,

I have a stock '73, L-48, 4-speed. I'm only interested in using the car as a cruiser/highway sightseeing car.

My question is about tire size......would I be better off looking at 17" tires, (I have no desire to go any larger), or stay with the 15" tires for what I plan to do with the car? I don't race the car at all, have no intentions of entering rally events, etc. With a stock 4-speed and 3.36 rear gears, I won't be doing any extended fast highway speeds either! So I was just wondering if I would get a better ride on the 17's, or would I get a better ride on the 15's with the higher sidewalls. Also, I doubt it, but would either one affect gas mileage?

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.
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Old Jul 1, 2020 | 05:40 AM
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Considering your usage , why spend money on new wheels (to change size). Unless of course you don't like the look of your wheels. The 15's do have a higher sidewall and thus a softer ride.
I've run Cooper Cobra's and or Mickey Thompson's for the last 30 years. Nice ride. Decent grip. And made to fit our stock wheels.
Ride height is unaffected. and no, not the best race tires. But more than nice enough for a car club cruising car.
I've run 255/60-15's for many years. More than good enough for me.
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Old Jul 1, 2020 | 07:03 AM
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I think it is hard to beat this look for minimal expenditure:





I hate Derby caps.......flats make a ralley wheel look deep. These were 255/60/15. Rode and handled great.....

Jebby
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Old Jul 25, 2020 | 10:28 PM
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To 4-vettes and Jebbysan....so sorry for the very delayed response to your feedback to my question! Thanks for your input.

I love the BFG White Letter T/A's, and I have them on there now, but they are old and I'm worried about driving on them. So, since I have to get new tires, I thought I might go bigger on the wheels too! I'm thinking I want a wider tire, and am thinking of putting 17's front and 18's rear.
Anyway, thanks again for the input.
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Old Jul 26, 2020 | 06:19 AM
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Originally Posted by 4-vettes
Considering your usage , why spend money on new wheels (to change size). Unless of course you don't like the look of your wheels. The 15's do have a higher sidewall and thus a softer ride.
I've run Cooper Cobra's and or Mickey Thompson's for the last 30 years. Nice ride. Decent grip. And made to fit our stock wheels.
Ride height is unaffected. and no, not the best race tires. But more than nice enough for a car club cruising car.
I've run 255/60-15's for many years. More than good enough for me.
I run cooper cobra 255 60 15s on my 93 chevy 1500 stepside. Got 50,000 off last set. I get them from discounttiredirect.com and have them shipped to my home. Great tires and great price!
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Old Jul 26, 2020 | 10:51 AM
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15" tires are still available from many sources. The only reason to switch to larger wheels would be to change the look of your wheels/tires or to just spend more money. Save that money for going on your trips!
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Old Jul 26, 2020 | 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by nohurry
To 4-vettes and Jebbysan....so sorry for the very delayed response to your feedback to my question! Thanks for your input.

I love the BFG White Letter T/A's, and I have them on there now, but they are old and I'm worried about driving on them. So, since I have to get new tires, I thought I might go bigger on the wheels too! I'm thinking I want a wider tire, and am thinking of putting 17's front and 18's rear.
Anyway, thanks again for the input.
your initial post says "better ride" and then talk about 17" and 18". You have to clarify your definition of better ride. You will not get a softer ride with 17 and 18.
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