Tire suggestions for C1

SRReality · 10-03-05, 03:37 PM

I have a 62 restored to stock outward appearance, included Goodyear Invicta GL narrow whitewall P215/75R15 tires. I'd like to keep the same look, but these tires gotta go! I'll keep the stock wheels, as they are all new. Suggestions on brands, sizes, sources, etc.

Tom Bryant · 10-03-05, 04:50 PM

Are you looking for bias ply like original or radials? Black or wide white?

Tom

SRReality · 10-04-05, 02:56 PM

Radials, narrow white wall (about an inch)

Tom Bryant · 10-04-05, 03:38 PM

There should be some guys around here with that type tire on their midyears that have something they really like. I put Goodyears on my '65 and my '67 but they were not Invictas. It has been way too long ago for me to remember what exact tire they were.

Anyone else got a good suggestion?

Tom

critchie · 10-04-05, 03:41 PM

You can't get a high performance tire with a whitewall. You can't get anything wider than a 205/75-15 or 215/70-15 on the stock 5" rims. You need the stock rims to hold the stock wheelcovers on. You also can't get a high performance tire in this size.So, if you want the stock appearance of whitewalls and the full cover hubcaps, you're struck with an "S" or maybe a "T" rated passenger touring car radial. No super gummy sticky wear-out-in-5000-miles tires for your C1. You get the same tires they put on Camrys and Buicks. That's not so bad though. They're 100 times better than the bias plies that originaly came on the car. Michelin makes expensive ones. Pep Boys will sell you cheap ones.

SRReality · 10-04-05, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by critchie

You can't get a high performance tire with a whitewall. You can't get anything wider than a 205/75-15 or 215/70-15 on the stock 5" rims. You need the stock rims to hold the stock wheelcovers on. You also can't get a high performance tire in this size.So, if you want the stock appearance of whitewalls and the full cover hubcaps, you're struck with an "S" or maybe a "T" rated passenger touring car radial. No super gummy sticky wear-out-in-5000-miles tires for your C1. You get the same tires they put on Camrys and Buicks. That's not so bad though. They're 100 times better than the bias plies that originaly came on the car. Michelin makes expensive ones. Pep Boys will sell you cheap ones.

Thanks for the reply. You are correct; there are not a lot of choices, unless I go to raised letters, or change wheels, etc. It's the same dilemna others have faced - - - classic look v. better handling. Perhaps two sets of tires/wheels is the way to go.

SebringBill · 10-06-05, 12:07 AM

Go check out Diamondback

http://www.widewhitewalltires.com/

They'll put a 1" whitewall on any tire you want!

loren59 · 10-06-05, 12:16 AM

Get some 15x7 Rallye rims and weld the nubs on them to fit the stock wheel covers. I'm sure you could find a custom wheel shop to build this for you. Then sell your stock wheels for good money on Ebay.

coves4me · 10-07-05, 09:52 AM

SRReality, I faced the same dilemma with my black 62. Having ordered all of my tires from Tire Rack for the everyday vehicles, I decided to start there. Well, what do you know, but I found a Khumo 205/75-R15 whitewall radial with an approximate 1-inch wide sidewall.....and the best part is they were only $38.00/each. What a deal!!! OK, OK....there not American brands, but who cares these days. I'm not paying $150/tire for a label. They look great on the car.

SRReality · 10-08-05, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loren59

Get some 15x7 Rallye rims and weld the nubs on them to fit the stock wheel covers. I'm sure you could find a custom wheel shop to build this for you. Then sell your stock wheels for good money on Ebay.

Thanks.

SRReality · 10-08-05, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coves4me

SRReality, I faced the same dilemma with my black 62. Having ordered all of my tires from Tire Rack for the everyday vehicles, I decided to start there. Well, what do you know, but I found a Khumo 205/75-R15 whitewall radial with an approximate 1-inch wide sidewall.....and the best part is they were only $38.00/each. What a deal!!! OK, OK....there not American brands, but who cares these days. I'm not paying $150/tire for a label. They look great on the car.

I saw the Khumos, too, but I'm still hung up on "American" brands more or less from the era of the car. I'm about ready to go for Cragar SS wheels and either raised letter or blackwall tires to go with them. Now comes the discussion of 15X7, or 15X6 and what size tires will fit under the fenders without fear of rubbing or cracking fiberglass!

SRReality · 10-08-05, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebringBill

Go check out Diamondback

http://www.widewhitewalltires.com/

They'll put a 1" whitewall on any tire you want!

Thanks

SRReality · 10-08-05, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebringBill

Go check out Diamondback

http://www.widewhitewalltires.com/

They'll put a 1" whitewall on any tire you want!

Thanks - I've looked at their web site. That's at nice set of Vets in your driveway......the C1 looks fantastic!

newbe60 · 10-09-05, 08:10 AM

Thought they looked good with the cragers

Rowdy1 · 10-09-05, 08:30 AM

I have the 15x7 Cragar SS wheels with 215x70x15 on it. I took my stock wheels and mounted some 225x70x15 just for doing

but I rarely change them over, I just roast the Cragar's. Come spring I'll be mounting a set of sticky's to one pair of the stock rims to maybe do a little track time.