C1 Spare Tire

[Terry D.]

I've noticed the recent discussion about the spare tire board not fitting on a C1, but haven't seen any answers as to what tire will fit in the well. I have a driver so originality is not a concern. I just want to be able to carry a spare and have the board fit right. What were the dimensions of the original spare tire and does anyone have a spare that fits OK? Thanks in advance for all your help.
Terry

[Don izzo]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

Terry, I will be watching the responces closely as I have 4 original tires from my 56 Bel Air and am wondering if these will fit, I saw somewhere that they shared the same rims.

Don

[Jim T.]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

Terry since you stated that your car is a driver and originality is not something you have to have, and just wanting the cover to fit, you could use a late model space saver spare. You could probably pick one up at a recycle yard for an inexpensive price.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

I picked up a tire from a Volvo a few years ago that fits. I only trust it to get me to a repair shop or home. I think it was a 175.

[Don izzo]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

I just checked and the tires I took off my 56 Bel Air are U.S. Royal 6.70-15 4 ply in black wall. Does anyone know if these will fit in the spare tire well and allow the plywood cover to fit properly? I have 3 tires that are good.

Don

[Joe Pennington]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

I have radials on the ground but have a new, 25 year old, 6.40/15 spare ( with a tube). It fits, the tire board sets flush, and since it will only be used in an emergency, I don't expect to have any problems if I have to put it on the ground. You might check with some large used tire dealers for one of the older tires. Joe

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

Does any one know the dimensions of the original 6.70's

Terry

[Rick A.]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

Terry,

here's what Coker has to say about a Firestone 6.70-15:

FIRESTONE BLACKWALL
Size: 670-15
Construction: 4 ply polyester
Overall Diameter: 28.58
Cross Section: 7.01
Tread Width: 4.50
Load Capacity: 1450 @ 32 psi
Tubeless

[John H.]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

I used one of my Coker repro BFG Silvertown 6.70-15 bias ply "judging tires" as a spare in my '57, and it lifted the cover board about 1/4"; they list it as having a 7.0" cross-section width.

[Mike G.]

Try a VW tire

I haven't mounted one yet, but the bug tires are small enough that a radial should fit. I think they're 165s, which is really low. In a 75 or 78, I don't think you can find radials lower than 195, if that. Plus they're cheap!

If no one else tries it, I might give it a go later this week and see if it will work.

[John H.]

Re: Try a VW tire

Note that if you have a Posi, having a tire on one side that's significantly different in diameter than the other side will eat up the Posi plates if driven any distance; if you have that situation and get a flat on the rear, put one of the fronts on the rear and put the spare on the front until you get to a place that can repair the flat tire.

[roy braatz]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

Don that's right they will fit the corvette wheel well as original and the board will set down right.. I also have three 56 original black tires , if any one needs them E-mail me.

[Duke W.]

A better idea

Assuming you have modern metric radials - 205/75, 215/70, or 225/70 there's nothing wrong with using a new or used 6.70-15 for a spare. Radials and bias plys should not normally be mixed but a bias ply close in revs per mile to a modern replacement tire should be adequate for a spare.

As John said a too short tire such as a 165-15 could could rapidly wear and cause damage to the positraction clutch pack.

If you look around, you might even be to find an inexpensive bias ply trailer tire that has the same revs per mile as your installed radials. Coker has several 6.70-15s including a Michelin radial, but they are expensive.

The spare in my SWC is a 6.70-15 Michelin X. I bought the set in 1964 and replaced them in 1968. The old Michelin is a tube type has no cracks in the sidewall, and I still consider it to be an adequate spare.

Duke

[Theodore K.]

Re: C1 Spare Tire

When I put my 57 on the road I still had 6.70 - 15 on the car. I bought an farm implement blackwall to use as a spare. Even though I have radials now, the 6.70 is still the spare. I have a couple of 6.70-15 WW take offs if you are interested. I am going to sell them anyway. Have the tubes with them. It fits my spare hole and board okay.