65 convertible ride height

[Dick G.]

OK, I put on my new Goodyear bias-ply 7.75-15 Goldlines from Kelsey tires on my 15x5 1/2 JK steel wheels. This car has the original springs. No fuel in tank. No interior. No softop frame. Of course no hardtop. The rest of the car is back together. My NCRS GM book measured at the rear center of the tailites to the ground should be 21.75 inches. Mine is 26.5. Front park lite center should be 15, mine is 18 3/8 inches. The fender lip to the floor measures: Rear 29 3/8, front is 28 7/8 inches. The car is all restored. Original rear spring with new liners and rubber donuts etc.. Now, I realize the car will settle but 3-4 inches? If this is normal, how long for it to settle out? In the rear, I can adjust the outer spring bolts, somewhat to help the problem. I would rather wait till all settles out. I guess it is better be too high/versus too low. Thanks Dick Gutman

[John H.]

Re: 65 convertible ride height

Dick -

What book did those measurements come out of? Ride height measurements are taken as front and rear suspension heights, as outlined in UPC 3 and 4 in the Assembly Manual. I've never seen any GM measurements from body features to ground, except for the "J" and "K" heights from the bottom of the rocker molding to ground (also in the Assembly Manual, same sections as above).

[Dick G.]

Re: 65 convertible ride height

Thanks for the reply John. The NCRS spec. book. Can't remeber the excact name. It's out in my shop. It's a reprint of some of GMs info. from these cars. It's the larger version of the pocketbook guide. That being said, how about the measurement I took off the floor in the center of wheel to the bottom edge of the fenderlip? Thanks DG

[Eugene B.]

Re: 65 convertible ride height

Dick,
I wish that I could comment on your ride-height question, but my '65 is setting on jack stands and I don't think that I can make any measurements that will be helpful to you.

I am interested; however, in your initial impressions of the Kelsey provided Goodyear goldline tires. I would like to purchase them for my '65.

Thanks,
Gene

[Dick G.]

Re: 65 convertible ride height

Let me state first I am NO expert on these old stlye bias ply tires. Service from Kelsey was better than stated. The tires arrived in 2 days versus the 4 days they told me to expect. They are Gold Line not Orange like another tire dealer. They are made in USA, I think the salesman said Indiana. $190.00 each plus shipping. I will buy my next old corvette tires from Kelsey again. DG

[Kent K.]

Re: 65 convertible ride height

How much was shipping for 4 tires?
Kent #6201

[Dick G.]

Re: 65 convertible ride height

Shipping for 5 tires was about $65.00 to me in North Dakota/58503. They came FedEx. One bundle of 3 and the other bundle of 2. DG

[Bill S.]

Re: what were the OEM wheel well specs

you mentioned your measurment but what where the factory measurments from the wheel wells? also are SB and BB the same. i have a 66 BB and am trying to determine if it is the right height in front, thanks,bill

[Dick G.]

Re: what were the OEM wheel well specs

The book I was using does not have any wheelwell fender lip to floor measurements. The book I have is an NCRS 53-72 Corvette Specs. Guide. Some GM reprinted Info. I went to the Body Dimensions section. There is no mention of whether a car is a SB or BB. I can only assume the springs compensate for the weight difference. Example: center of front turn signal lite to floor is 15.05. Center of headlite to floor is 24.36. This should help. My measurements from this section prove my car at this time, prove my car is high. I will continue on and load down the eventually. The car should eventually lower. DG

[Bill S.]

Re: what were the OEM wheel well specs

thank you for your time, much apreciated,bill