C-3 tires

[Thomas Christopher]

I'm looking to buy some new tires for my 69. I'm wanting to go with the Raised White Letter tires, but don't know what size exactly to go with. The more I look, the more confused I get. I currently have 225 70 15s on it. I'm hearing that 235 60s are good, or even 245s. I was just going to buy some reproduction wide o ovals, but don't know if they are the way to go either. I drive the car some, but not a lot, and it's by no means a concours car, but is getting nicer by the month. I like the looks of the BF Goodrich TA radials, but hear they get slippery in the rain. Give me all the info and opinions you want, cause I need them. Thanks in advance for your help.

tom

[Jerry Clark]

Re: C-3 tires

Hi Thomas:

All of the sizes you mentioned will fit and on some cars, mine included 255x 60 will fit. If you drive the car, even to and from shows or work you will not enjoy the reproduction wide ovals. In the interest of authenticity I purchased a set, went to one show 60 highway miles away, took them off upon return, never to return...The BFGs are a good performance tire with poor rain characteristics, Michelin has some excellent performance tires you may wish to consider.

jerry

[Duke W.]

Re: C-3 tires

Check in the archives. There was considerable discussion on this issue recently with a gentleman from Australia, and I think that thread spelled out all the alternatives with the various pros and cons. It might still be down near the bottom of the active board.

Duke

[Don O'Connell #33101]

Re: C-3 tires

Thomas,

I to am running 255x60 on my '69 (they were on it when I bought it last year). They look impressive and really fill out the wheel well. On sharp, fast U-turns I do get a little scraping on the inner well in the rear. I was thinking of dropping back to 245x60 when they need replacing.

Don

[Bob Bridge]

Re: C-3 tires

I have 235/70 15 TA's on my 77. They work good and improved the normal driving over the 245/60 15's that came with the car. I have driven in heavy rain and have not had any problems. I don't drive fast in the rain. The 235/70 15's fill the wheel well to what I think it should look like. I get a very occassional scrape on my front left inner fender well when turning sharp over a driveway curb. Bob

[Kenneth G.]

Re: C-3 tires

I think the general consenus regarding 69 maximum tire size are 245/60-15's. Later model year C3's seem to be able to handle the 255's but not the 69's from what i have read. 245's should fit a 69 with no or very little rubbing whereas 255 will cause rubbing.

Kenny-will eventually get 245's for my 69

[Patrick H.]

Re: C-3 tires

Thomas,

The "book" correct size for your car (and my 71) is 215/70R-15. The 225/70-15 is correct for 73 and later cars. You can look this up in the judging manual if you wish.

Personally, I am thinking about either 235/60 all around, or 235/60 front and 245/60 rear. Michelin offers some excellent tires in 235/60, but very few options exist in 245 or 255 for (true) performance tires. The Dunlops, TAs, and Firestones are, however, available in those sizes.

In white letter, according to the owner surveys on TireRack.com, the Eagle GT II is actually rated statistically significantly better than the TA, Firestone Firehawk or Dunlop. If I go white letter, this will likely be my choice. In blackwall, I would consider the Michelin Pilot XGT H4 in 235 size. A very good tire that will likely be better than my suspension.

Patrick Hulst

[Rick Dykstra]

Re: C-3 tires

Hey Thomas, have had a few of the shark cars and as posted the 255 / 60's in any brand are a bit large( rubbing in the front), also not visually correct. I have been using a 225 /70 tire on my cars and have been very happy.At present have Goodyear Eagle GA Touring in both blackwall and 3/8" whitestripe.Also have used the T/A white letter, and as posted are a bit lacking in the wet weather. Find the letter size to be the most asthetically pleasing in the latest bunch that is out there though.If you can find them, the Goodyear Eagle ST is a nice tire, and although it has been somewhat discontinued (in some sizes), is an excellent choice for the C-3.And yes, if size doesn't matter,(we all know it does), then the combo that looks great is 235/60 front and 245/60 rear. Well thats my 2 cents worth. Good luck.

[Thomas Christopher]

Re: C-3 tires

I ordered the 225-70s because that is what I have on the car now, but got an e-mail from tire-rack saying that isn't the tire he'd recommend. I'm thinking about going with the 245-60 on the rear, and a 235-60 on the front now that I've seen all the posts. Let me know if this is truly the best looking combo.

tom

[Patrick H.]

C-3 tires: 235/245/255 size update

Hello,

A visit to Tirerack.com shows that in 245/60R15, the selection is limited to the BFGoodrich Radial TA, the Dunlop GT Qualifier, and the Goodyear Wingfoot HP. The available tires for both the 235/60 and 255/60 are many more in number.

So, it looks like we can either a) pick 235 and go a little shorter than stock, b) limit our 245 tire choice, or c) take the chance on the 255 size in the rear and see if they really rub.

Does anyone know of a 255 with a narrower shoulder that would work well without rubbing? The actual tread sizes and overall width per tire DO vary by manufacturer.

Patrick Hulst

[Thomas Christopher]

Re: C-3 tires: 235/245/255 size update

Hey Patrick,

Thanks for the insight on the original tires. I never even thought to look in the manual. The 245 60s are about .5 of an inch shorter in overall height than the originals, but quite a bit wider (30mm). I've decided to go with the 245 60s all around. I think they'll look good. Thanks again for your insight. If you would like to know, I'll list everything below I know about sizes. Saves you from doing the math

tom

size sidewall height width overall height

215 70 6.26 8.35 26.92 225 70 6.19 8.85 27.4 235 60 5.55 9.25 26.1 245 60 5.7 9.64 26.4 255 60 6.0 10 27

[Jerry Clark]

Re: C-3 tires: 235/245/255 size update

HI Patrick:

My 69 had 255s on it when purchased. I experienced no interference and my wheel openings are completely stock. My rear suspension is modified with a fiberglass rear spring and KYB shocks but the ride height appears correct. I have had people ask me how I got them to fit without rubbing, I didn't, they didn't.

jer

[Patrick H.]

Re: C-3 tires: 235/245/255 size update

Thomas,

Yes, these numbers are readily available on most tire manufacturer's websites.

Given the lack of availability of the 245 size for all but 3 tires, I may yet end up with 255's on the back. The 235's look nice for width, but in my opinion look too short. I'll see if others have feedback on the 255.

Patrick Hulst

[Patrick H.]

Thanks Jerry. Anyone else?

Jerry,

Thanks. I have definitely seen cars with the 255 on the back without a problem. I would just hate to find out, however, too late. My rear suspension is currently all stock.

Saw an 82 Collector Ed yesterday with 255's, but of course they came from the factory with shaved wheel lips.

I am about 1-2 months away from new tires, both for my rallys as well as redlines on my wire wheels as we spoke about a few months ago (staying 215/70 on those). I would like to come to a consensus before then, if possible.

Patrick Hulst

[Bill Baird]

Re: Thanks Jerry. Anyone else?

I run 255/60R15's on all four corners of my '75. As long as my alignment is good and my suspension is healthy, nothing rubs. The car had 245/60's up front and 255/60's in back when I bought it, but I didn't like the hassle of having two different size tires to mess with. I gave the 255/60's a try up front, and had only a little rubbing occasionally (usually turning sharply up into my driveway). Once I got around to rebuilding everything up front (bushings, tie rod ends, springs, etc.) and aligning the old girl, the occasional rubbing went away.

The brands I've used are:

Turbo Tech GT Radials: They were on the car when I bought it. No complaints, though I don't know if I'd bother hunting another set down.

Goodyear Eagle GT: Nice traction, buy they didn't last particularly long.

General XP 2000: I never really liked these, don't know why.

Dunlop GT Qualifier: The ones I've liked the best so far. They have decent traction for autocrossing (they're not R1's, but they do okay for street tires) and decent longevity. These are the ones I've currently got on my car, and the ones I've used the most.

I was getting ready to try the BF Goodrich Comp TA's in the 255/60, but they discontinued them a few months before I went to buy them. Damn. You snooze, you lose, I guess.

I have a friend who runs BF Goodrich Radial TA 235/70 R15's on his '79. They certainly fill up the wheel wells and provide a real smooth ride, but you can't autocross on them worth a damn.

Sorry for getting so long winded.

Bill Baird