C1 - Tires for Wide Wheel Option

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

I've seen a lot about the wide wheel option for the C1 cars, but I've never seen anything about what kind of tires came with the wide wheels. Anyone know?

Thanks,

Bob

PS: After judging, I'd like to put radials on my '60. Anyone know what is the widest wheel and tire that will comfortably fit?

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 - Tires for Wide Wheel Option

6.70x15--generally blackwalls

[Bob B.]

Re: C1 - Tires for Wide Wheel Option

MIke,

Thanks for the response! But the regular size tires were 6.70 x 15. So what was the point of a wider wheel with the same width tire?

Thanks,

Bob

[Verle R.]

Re: C1 - Tires for Wide Wheel Option

Bob,

Look for 69 or 70 Camaro, Chevelle or Montecarlo 7x15 rally wheels.
They should fit with 205-75 15 and maybe 215-15 75 15.

If you want to run your stock hubcaps have someone mig the four little spots to hold them on. You may have to grind to shape to work well.

As Duke recommends, a speed rated tire will be better/safer.

Verle

[Duke W.]

Re: C1 - Tires for Wide Wheel Option

The 5.5" wheels were equipped with the same base 6.70-15 rayon-cord blackwall tires as the base wheels. Since the 5.5" wheels were designed for "competition" it was assumed the owner would install suitable tires.

Back then purpose built racing tires had about the same dimensions as road tires.

Duke

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 - Tires for Wide Wheel Option

I have 215x15 radio tires on my 55 with the GM accessory wire wheels that are 5" wide and they work out great no problem here!

[John N.]

Re: C1 - Tires for Wide Wheel Option

A exception to the blackwall rule was 57#4007 the earliest reported RPO579E car it was a factory delivery to Bill Howe. The car had whitewalls. The car was picked up at St Louis on 5-16 and driven to and raced at Cumberland 5-17,5-19 finishing in 3rd place. The car will be at Cumberland and BG Special Collection in June. The 1956 Wide Wheel Option cars were St Louis equipted with 670.15 Firestone Super Sports 170 tires, records indicate that 710.15s were available.
Regards