Firestone PV41 P225/70R-15

[Duke W.]

I just sent the following e-mail to Bridgestone-Firestone Consumer Affairs:

Your Web site and downloadable tire specification sheet for the PV41 "specialty tire" contains an error!

The size listed as 255/70R-15 should be 225/70R-15.

The 225/70R-15 PV41 is a recommended tire for vintage Corvettes, and the error is causing confusion among owners.

Duke Williams
National Corvette Restorers' Society

I also note that The Tire Rack lists it as "PV40", which was the antecedent tire to the PV41 (see The Corvette Restorer, Summer 2003). They have either failed to update the name or they have very old stock. It is is currently listed as a "special" for $105 in the 225/70R-15 size. I contacted The Tire Rack about this a year ago, but nothing changed.

Duke

[Paul Crosby]

Re: Firestone PV41 P225/70R-15

Isn't the correct size P215/70R 15? I'm about ready for new tires and would like to get this straight once and for all.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Firestone PV41 P225/70R-15

Oh boy, here we go. Better duck now before ToddH returns... (If you missed that whole mess a few months ago, don't worry.)

The "correct" size depends on who you ask, the weather, and that person's mood. Duke prefers one size because he can get his performance tires in that size. Some prefer 225 because of tire availability, some 235/60 because it is wider and lower than stock. There was an exhaustive discussion (and that's an understatement) on this board a few months ago on the subject. The NCRS manual suggests 215/70, and if you aim to have your car judged with radials in place, then get those.

Personally, both of my Corvettes have 215/70's. I like the look better than 225/70 (too tall) and I've seen the 235/60s rub.

Patrick

[Duke W.]

Re: Firestone PV41 P225/70R-15

I also wrote an "exhaustive" article on tires in the Spring and Summer issues of The Corvette Restorer last year.

If anyone is "confused" about replacement tire sizes, look at the articles.
Hint: A 215/70R-15 on an OE six inch wide wheel is about the most you can go on a C2. A 225/70R-15 will possibly cause interference, and though a six inch wheel is the bottom of the acceptable wheel wide range, it's a bit narrow.

I consider the 225/70R-15 to be the "standard" replacment size for ALL C3s, with 235/70R-15 optional.

Duke

[Patrick H.]

Re: Firestone PV41 P225/70R-15

Like I said....

[Roger Legge]

Re: Firestone PV41 P225/70R-15

I have used BFG Radial T/A 245/60R15 (front) and BFG 255/60R15 (rear) on a '68 that has been my primary driver for 5+ years. Original 7" wheels (should have put 8" on rear, lazy). One inch lower front coils (550#) and fiber (360#) rear spring w/ longer bolts to set ride height in rear. Fronts rub frame rails when turning real tight, but it's not a problem. From what I can tell, this would seem to work fine on a stock spring (and ride height), early C3. These are the plain ol' raised white letter BFG's - letters go on the inside. Roger

[Verle R.]

Re: Firestone PV41 P225/70R-15

Due to personal experience with Firestone as well as significant publicity of their problems, I would not buy Firestone tires for my grandson's wagon much less my prized Corvette.

Just my opinion.

Verle

[Duke W.]

Re: Firestone PV41 P225/70R-15

Your choice, but Firestone's problems were confined to a limited number of tire models and plants, and I have no doubt that they have reformed some poor manufacturing processes that were probably a factor in the tread separations.

The PV41 is my personal pick of the three available 225/70R-15 police pursuit tires.

Duke