Best wheels and tire size for a '56

[Bud Baker]

Don't shoot me. Our '56 will be used for some nice week-end drives and it will not all be freeway driving. We will stick with the wide whites and stock wheel covers. I do need to replace the wheels as they are not the correct. (no nubs) Should I stick with the 5" or go to the 7". If 7" can I use them front and back? Also, what size and kind (belted) of tire will give us the best ride. Thanks for all your help. BB

[James F.]

Re: Best wheels and tire size for a '56

Bud, Drive 'em! To keep the full face wheel cover on your rims will require the "nubs". That pretty much keeps you with the 5" Corvette rims. 7" rims will fit on your '56, I've had them on mine. Presently, I'm running blackwall radials. Tire size is P 215 X 75 X 15 on 6" rims (I welded "nubs" on these rims). I chose this size because it is closest in size to the rolling diameter of the old 670 X 15 Firestone 500. The speedometer and tach remain honest. With the above, my Corvette handles beautifully, always did (must be those TractionMasters ;-) ! By no means am I suggesting you do the above, do what's right for you. Regards,

[Dale Pearman]

Re: Best wheels and tire size for a '56

Coker has a 7 inch wheel with nubs. On my 1962 I run 7 inch GM police wheels and small dog dish hubcaps. I've been through tires galore and found the best to be a Yokohama AVS Intermediate (about $99.00 each) in a 2.15 x 65 -15 size. This is a blackwall high performance tire at much less cost than Good Year or Michelin. Perelli has the next best performance tire for straight axles in my opinion. The size and wheel width fit my suspension without problems.

Dale.