68 Tires and Rims Questions

[Mark Milchuk]

First I am restoring a 1968 Corvette as a DRIVER not a show car.
This is my first restoration and I am learning as I go.
Therefore, please excuse me if my questions seem silly.

Need to buy rims and tires.
The 1968 Corvette came with 15"x7" Rally Wheel.
Should I purchase 15"x7" or change
to the 1969-1982 15"x8" JJ Rally Wheel.

Are there any problems with a 1968 Corvette using 15"x8" wheels?

Do all 1968-1982 Corvettes have problems with Non-Stock wheels
rubbing the Brake Calipers or is it just 1968?

Do all non-stock wheels need Spacers to stop rubbing of the Calipers?

What is the proper tire size for 1968 Corvette? P255/70R15 ?
Is this the same tire size for 1969-1982?

What would be a good tire (Brand/Size) for DRIVING (remember its a driver)
and would fit either 15"x7" or 15"x8" wheels?

Thanks to all that Help,
Mark

[Duke W.]

Re: 68 Tires and Rims Questions

Have you read the tire article in the latest issue of The Corvette Restorer?

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Tires and Rims Questions

Mark-----

The 1968 Corvette 15 X 7 wheels are difficult and, usually, expensive to come by. For a driver, you can use the 69-82 15 X 8 wheels with no problems, whatsoever. The 68 and 69 suspension and wheel wells are virtually the same. The 69-82 rally wheels are still available brand new from Hayes wheel dealers, so that's another plus.

The use of other wheels which may require spacers or other adapters should affect 1968 and 1969-82 equally. In other words, if a wheel requires spacers for installation on a 68, it will require the same for installation on a 69-82. I absolutely don't recommend the use of spacers or wheel adapters. If you have wheels that require them, I strongly recommend finding another wheel that matches factory specs for off-set and size. I don't know if there are aftermarket wheels that will fit a Corvette without adapters or modification to the calipers. I've never studied the matter, looked for any aftermarket wheels, and I never intend to.

The original tire size for 1968-72 Corvettes was F-70-15. In today's p-metric sizes, the closest size is either a P215-70-15 or a P225-70-15. Either size will usually fit any 68-72, although the 225 will sometimes rub in certain steering configurations. A 255-70-15 will NOT fit a 68-72. A 245-60-15 will usually fit a 68-72; a 255-60-15 MAY fit, but may require some wheel well modification. In a 60 series tire, I don't recommend going any larger than a 245-60-15.