I am going to put new tires on our 57 corvette. I have really become confused by all the controversy over the radial tires. Does any one know if the Coker radial tires or the BF Goodrich Silvertown radials by Coker both fit the 57 corvette okay? Coker says the BF Goodrich tire is 1/2" wider and may rub. Our car is a driver but is shown also so I want the best tire I can put on for safety and for judging. Any suggestions?
Tires
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Re: Tires
John -
I had Coker Classic 205/75-15 wide-white radials on stock rims on my '57, and was quite pleased with them (no rubs anywhere); don't know about their radial version of the BFG Silvertown. Save one of your 6.70-15's as a spare, as neither of the radials will fit in the spare tire well - I had another (judging) set of repro BFG Silvertown 6.70-15's on stock rims, and used one for my spare - diameter fit fine with about 1/2" clearance all the way around, but it raised the cover up about 1/4" above flush with the trunk floor.- Top
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Re: Tires
Since we are on this subject, does anyone know the measured diameter of the original or reproduction 6.70-15 tires for 1963/64 Corvettes? I'm planning to buy a set of radials for my '64 and want to get as close to the correct height as possible to keep the speedometer/odometer correct. The 195/75-15 size is 7.7" wide and 26.5" tall and the 205/75-15 size is 8.0" wide and 27.1" tall. I don't know if either of them will in fact fit in the pair tire tub, but it would be nice to get as close as possible on the height.
Thanks,
James West
Omaha, NE.
NCRS Member #18379- Top
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Re: Tires
The important number to match is TIRE REVOLUTIONS PER MILE.
The OEM 6.70-15s are speced at 760; 205/75s are typically speced at 766. The later 7.75-15 are 775, and they have the same speedo gearing as the earlier cars with 6.70s, so Chevrolet just accepted an extra 2 percent high error.
All 205/75s that I am aware of are low performance all season tires with speed ratings no higher than "S", and many are not speed rated. As a result, I consider this size to be unsuitable for a high performance sports car, assuing you are going to actually drive your Corvette in a sporting manner.
The 215/70R-15 is speced at 775 revs per mile and they are available in all season touring versions with speed ratings as high as "W". Your OEM wheels are at the low end of the acceptable width range, so I would suggest you go with either KOs or 6" Rally wheels with the OEM covers.
The 215/70 will not fit the spare tire compartment. The 205/75 might, depending on the tire. You can always use a bias ply 6.70-15 spare, Flats are rare nowadays, and a bias ply will get you home.
You can search by size and get all the dimensional and other engineering data for most available tires at www.tirerack.com.
Duke- Top
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