New Wheels - what size tires fit my car?

oz

Founding Member

Jun 29, 2000

1,079

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58

Plymouth, MI

Jun 5, 2009

#1

• Jun 5, 2009

• #1

I picked up a set of 15" Magnum 500's recently and want to find out what size tires will work on my '69 Sportsroof. The front will be 7" wide and the rear will be 8" wide. I believe both have a 4.5" back spacing.

The wheels and tires I have now are 215/70R14 - overall height is 656.6 mm or 25.85"

I want the profile to be the same front and rear but want more width in the rear. I am not opposed to slightly taller tire than I have now.

Here are three ideas:
1. FR: 225/65R15 = 673.5 mm tall
RR: 245/60R15 = 674 mm tall

2. FR: 235/60R15 = 663 mm tall
RR: 255/55R15 = 661.5 mm tall

3. FR: 235/60R15 = 663 mm tall
RR: 235/60R15 = 663 mm tall (same front and rear - may look strange with wider rear wheel???)

Which combo will work best? Is there another combo that I didn't think of that I should consider?
THANKS!!!

 

oz

Founding Member

Jun 29, 2000

1,079

10

58

Plymouth, MI

Jun 5, 2009

#2

• Jun 5, 2009

• #2

oooh... I found the chart... I'll check it out and maybe that will answer my question.

I would still like to know what others with a stock suspension setup run on their 15" rims...

Thanks.

 

5

5280/4

New Member

May 21, 2009

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0

Jun 5, 2009

#3

• Jun 5, 2009

• #3

option 2

 

tx65coupe

Active Member

Nov 29, 1999

1,551

1

37

Jun 6, 2009

#4

• Jun 6, 2009

• #4

My vote would be for option 2 as well. I like the look of wider rear tires. You definitely don't want the same size tires all around if the rear wheel is wider.

I would just go with 235 60 15 front and 255 60 15 rear. According to your info the rear wheel will not be as tall with option 2. The rear tire needs to be the same diameter or taller to look right.

Good choice on the 500's. Thats what I have on my car.

 

oz

Founding Member

Jun 29, 2000

1,079

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58

Plymouth, MI

Jun 8, 2009

#5

• Jun 8, 2009

• #5

Yea, I am favoring option 2 as well - although I think 255/55's are rare. Since the wife paid for 1/2 the car I have to respect her opinion and she hates the look of 'big and little' tires... she wants them to all look the same from the side... so... I was trying to keep the sidewall height the same. If I go with 235/60's in the front and 255/60's in the rear, the rear will be about 1" taller.... maybe she won't notice...

 

tx65coupe

Active Member

Nov 29, 1999

1,551

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37

Jun 8, 2009

#6

• Jun 8, 2009

• #6

If you want the tires to be the same height then I m not sure thats possible. The 255 55 is shorter than a 235 60. Then the rear tire would be shorter and that would look worse.


I know this doesn't help alot because we have different year cars, but I have 235 60 15 rear and 215 60 15 front on my 65.

 

oz

Founding Member

Jun 29, 2000

1,079

10

58

Plymouth, MI

Jun 11, 2009

#7

• Jun 11, 2009

• #7

After checking the available sizes in the BFG, Firestone and Good Year tires with raised white letters, the options apear to be the following:

225/60R15 on 15x7 rim
245/60R15 on 15x8 rim

or

235/60R15 on 15x7 rim
255/60R15 on 15x8 rim

I'm curious if the 235 is too wide/tall for the front and the 255 is to wide/tall for the rear of my '69.

Anybody running either of these combos???

THANKS!

 

2

2+2GT

10 Year Member

Apr 25, 2009

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79

Southeastern Pennsylvania

Jun 11, 2009

#8

• Jun 11, 2009

• #8

 

oz

Founding Member

Jun 29, 2000

1,079

10

58

Plymouth, MI

Jun 11, 2009

#9

• Jun 11, 2009

• #9

Looks like I'll try option 1: 225/60R15 front, 245/60R15 rear... I'll play around with a mockup before purchasing tires though to make sure they will fit.

Thanks...

 

5

5280/4

New Member

May 21, 2009

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Jun 15, 2009

#10

• Jun 15, 2009

• #10

i would go for as wide as possible. my 65 falcon can fit a 245 on a 7.5" wide wheel in the front.