17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

[Bill L.]

I am considering putting 235 55 17 tires on my 70 with Cragar SS wheels on the 70 Convertible for when I go cruising.

Currently is all stock with original rally wheels.

Will 235 55 17 tires have enough clearance?

Original F70 15 tires were 8.3" at sidewalls and 6.6" tread width at about 27" in diameter.

235 55 17 tires are 9.6" at sidewalls and 8.2" tread width at 27.1" in diameter. You can get a lot of very nice tires in this size.

Cragars would be 17 x 8 with 4.5" backspace and 1/2" spacers to clear the calipers. This should bring them out to the 4" back spacing of the rally wheels. These are hub centric cragars not the unilug.

Thanks!


Bill

[Dan H.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

Bill,
I put 235/60's on my 71 this summer. My car had 225/70's on it that were 15 years old, so it was time to change them before I had to change a fender too!

So I consulted the corvette forum and lots of folks said these would fit without any issue, many included photos of their cars with 235/60's or wider. When I put these on, they did hit my mufflers. I had to move and cut the pipes some, but they do fit.

I do like the look of the shorter tires, just took a little to get there, if you have a good size gap between your mufflers and tire now, you shouldn't have a problem.


You can see my before and afters, along with others comments.....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...on-a-71-a.html



wooo hooooooooooo, my first post on NCRS!!!!!

[D S.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

[Bill L.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

I know Scott but decent 15" tires are almost non existent.

I was thinking of buying the Goodyear Speedways for my original wheels and keeping them for NCRS events.

However, I wanted some really nice tires as I really like to have fun on twisting and turning roads. There are no good options for 15" tires with RWL.

There are three maybe four options.

1. B.F. Goodrich - No where to be found these days in 225 or 215 for a set of 4-5. All on indefinite backorder. They don't handle well and offer mediocre traction.
2. Firestone - I really dislike the lettering. Low speed too. Mediocre handling. They are my fall back option.
3. Mickey Thompson Sportsman - Nice lettering, mediocre low speed tire by Cooper.
4. Cooper Cobras -Mediocre at best and noisy.

I have coopers on there from previous owner. 235 60 15 with plenty of tread too.

Very Frustrating to say the least. That is why I am considering the 17s. A 55 series still has enough sidewall so it won't rattle my teeth out. Lots of really nice rubber available in that size. Just worried about clearance.

[Scott S.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

Bill,

If you haven't done so already, try a forum search under Duke Williams' name, with "Tires" in the subject box. There are two or three quality tires still made that fit midyears (215/70ZR15), one being the Pirelli P4000 Super Touring. If I remember correctly, there were a couple good 15" tires still being made for the C3s too.

[Bill L.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

Thanks Scott.

I saw the thread by Duke. The tires he mentions are decent performance tires but I do not like blackwalls on C-3s in 15" tires.

I am really hoping the 235 55 17 tires will clear.

If I go 15" I mays as well go for the Firestones with the letters I dislike. Maybe they would grow on me.


Bill

[Patrick B.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

245/60-15 BFG Radial T/A's on 1976 Aluminum 15x8 Corvette wheels fit fine on my 1970 Corvette. No interference

[Don L.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

I wonder if something has happened at BF GOODRICH since the spring. I had a set of UNIROYAL TIGER PAW RWL for my driving tires that I tried to come to love for about 2 years but just couldn't. I shopped and finally decided on BF GOODRICH RADIAL TA's in 215 70/15 size. I didn't much like the idea of a non-OEM brand, especially since it's a RWL and states loud and clear that it's an "off" brand. I ordered the RADIAL TA's and within a week, I got the call saying they were in.

I considered 2 other tires. One was the Michelin Symmetry in WW - 215 70/15. It has a nice narrow white stripe, much like OEM. I also looked at the Kelsey reproduction POLYSTEEL RADIAL GT. It's a very nice, retro looking tire but only comes in a 225 70/15, which is wider and has a larger OD than I want. Here's the (I hope) link to this tire: http://www.kelseytire.com/pages/preformancetires3.html

I hope BFG hasn't ended production of the 15" RADIAL TA. If they do/did, the pickings are officially getting slim!

[Scott S.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

Thanks Scott.

I saw the thread by Duke. The tires he mentions are decent performance tires but I do not like blackwalls on C-3s in 15" tires.

I am really hoping the 235 55 17 tires will clear.

If I go 15" I mays as well go for the Firestones with the letters I dislike. Maybe they would grow on me.


Bill

Bill,

I also remembered the Kelsey reproduction tires that Don mentions above, I think there was an article about these tires in either a fairly recent Corvette Restorer issue or maybe it was in Corvette Enthusiast (a year ago, maybe?). Someone here will know. Seems like I remember there were several options, all with white lettering.

I like the white letter tires too. I had the B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A white letter tires on my '69.

[Bill L.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

I saw the tires over at Kelsey. I love the letters on the Goodyear polyglas tires. Unfortunately they can't hold a candle to the radials of today.

The Goodyear Polysteel is a thought. However, I would still love to know if the 235 55 17s will fit.

Thanks Patrick. The 245 60 15 is a bit shorter than I want. I like the look when the tires fill the wheel opening like the original 27" diameter tires.


Bill

[Tory S.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

Bill,

17" do fit and work very well. I put 17" Goodyears on my '75 with special 17x8 wheels I had Wheel Vintiques make for me - chrome rims and argent silver rally centers that accept the stock Corvette cap. At first glace, you think I'm stock, but I've got modern tires.

For NCRS, I have my original wheels with Firestone Steel Radial 500s. Can't drive these on the street!

Here's a picture for now. My car is getting a new top, so on Monday I'll shoot some closeups and get you the tire type and size I used. You'll be very happy!

Tory

[Bill L.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

Bill,

17" do fit and work very well. I put 17" Goodyears on my '75 with special 17x8 wheels I had Wheel Vintiques make for me - chrome rims and argent silver rally centers that accept the stock Corvette cap. At first glace, you think I'm stock, but I've got modern tires.

For NCRS, I have my original wheels with Firestone Steel Radial 500s. Can't drive these on the street!

Here's a picture for now. My car is getting a new top, so on Monday I'll shoot some closeups and get you the tire type and size I used. You'll be very happy!

Tory

Very nice looking ride Tory. What size tires are u running?

[Tory S.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

I'm going over to the top shop Monday where the car is, so I will get you size and type of Goodyear then.

[Tory S.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

If you want 17" on a C3, I'm using Yokohama Advan ST 255/50/17's with great success and no rubbing anywhere. Trick is to have proper 17x8 wheel with stock backspacing. Hope this helps.

Tory

[Bill L.]

Re: 17" tire size on stock 70 Corvette

Thanks Tory, I am probably going to go with the 235 55 17s. if I do it.

The cragars are 4-1/2" bs and the 1/2 spacer will bring them back to the stock 4" bs.

I also know there is a little less clearance on the earlier C3s.

Bill