1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

[George W.]

Would like to put wider wheels and radial tires on my '60 Corvette.

Criteria:
1) Original looking wheel with provisions for full wheel hubcaps
2) Correct hub size, back spacing, etc.
3) High performance radial tires with wide white sidewall
4) Do not want to modify or use spacers
5) Must not be any clearance issues with suspension, fender wells, etc.

Questions:
1) Who supplies these wheels
2) What is the widest wheel I can use
3) What is the widest tire I can use
4) Who has the best tires
5) Would like the height to be as original so as to not have speedometer reading issues

Thanks in advance,
George
geopar@gvtc.com
210 748 4693

[George W.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

Anyone?
How about a link to past discussions? I searched without success.
G.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

Contact Coker Tires and they can probably answer some of your questions. I would think you could go to Discount Tire and they could look at your rim size and tell you the largest tire that would fit on the rim. I doubt if you will find extra wide tires with correct whitewalls. Probably have better luck with blackwalls. If you mount a tire much larger than the original size, it will rub on the fenderwells. That is why hotrodders cut out part of the fender wells; then had to re-glass when their hotrod days were over.

I believe you are asking for too many aspects for one tire to cover and still fit under your 1960. I own a 1960, but not a tire expert.

[Steve V.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

George,


Wheel Vintiques makes a OE style wheel in several widths with the correct backspacing. The only problem you are going to have is nobody that I am aware of makes a wide wheel with the nubs. Some have welded a bead on the rim and I am sure that will work. I purchased their 6" wheels from Summit Racing and will be using either 205 or 215 tires from Coker on my '60.

Steve

[Robert S.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

On the rear you can use a 7 inch wheel with 3.75 inch backspace. They can also be used on the front but will rub at full lock with 205 tires.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

There is no such thing as a "high performance" whitewall tire in a 15" size. Unless you're willing to go with blackwalls... game over.

Duke

[Don H.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

The short answer is just put on radials that fit. In stock configuration they drive like a truck. A radial tire is a vast improvement over bias ply. I am not sure what you intend to do wanting high performance radials but in my humble opinion, they drive like a truck. I have driven mine many miles and have done many forms of racing with it. Did I mention they drive like a truck (compared to any modern car). Good luck, Don H.

[Bill M.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

Here's some good info:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...ight=backspace

[Tom B.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

http://thewheelsmith.net/

The Wheel Smith makes a wide wheel with the nubs in custom offsets. There was an article in On Solid Ground a couple of years ago on a 1960 with these wheels in 6" width and custom offset that filled the wheel wells just perfectly. 15x6 with a 3.5" back spacing.

I don't recall the tire brand or size right now. I'd have to look for it. I plan to run this wheel with 215/65 blackwalls though.

Tom

[Steven B.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

I have seen some of The Wheelsmith units and they are very good. Tom, I can't remember the offset but I had 6" wide 5 spokes on the '57 with 7.75's (waaaay back when) and absolutely no trouble front or back, even under hard launches the rears didn't rub.

Steve

[Tom B.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

Hard launches in your '57? I seem to remember that. A few hard turns too.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

Hard launches in your '57? I seem to remember that. A few hard turns too.

Yeahhh! I am choosing a new flywheel and clutch so I can try out the engine rebuild. 'Gotta get some new tires, too. The old Bucrons in the garage just aren't big enough--or enough tread--urrr carcass-- left. Those really were the good old days.

[John H.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

The old Bucrons in the garage just aren't big enough--or enough tread--urrr carcass-- left. Those really were the good old days.

Steve -

I used to buy a nice new pair of 7.60-15 or 8.20-15 Bucrons every Thursday night at the Standard station on Woodward in Birmingham (Michigan) for my blown Buick "nailhead" V-8-powered '53 back in 1959; they were history by Sunday night. Paid the princely sum of $18.00 per pair in those days .

[Steven B.]

Re: 1960 performance tire/wheel recomendations

John, I wish I had bought a few pair and stored them. That car with a nailhead must have been pretty quick! I used to go from NE Indiana to Detroit to the speed shops---Standard Auto Supply, Gratiot, etc. I did a little street racing around Kalamazoo and Coldwater but never Detroit. I did see some really hot machines there, though. I miss those days of inexpensive cars, tires and gas.

Steve