Tires for 1970 LT-1

[George C.]

I am looking to replace the 215/70-15 T/A radials on my LT-1.

Should I use F70-15 Firestone Wide Oval tires or stick with the T/A radials?

[Leif A.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

George,
If you're driving the car...radials, for sure.

[Michael J.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

T/As are not the best radial around, but very few choices these days in that size. I would shop around and see what else is available in that size of a radial.

[Bill L.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

If you want RWL tires only choices I have seen are T/As, Cooper Cobra, and Mickey Thompson Sportsman. The choices are very slim for 15" tires. I need to decide what to do on my 70 as well.

Frankly the Cooper Tires seem like a better value. The T/As seem way over priced for such a mediocre tire.

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Duke W.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

I suggest you consider the 225/70R15 size. Do a Web search. You might be able to find an H-rated one, but it will probably be an off brand. Duke

[Mike F.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

You mention the Firestone F70-15 Wide Ovals. The Firestone F70-15 repros are not as accurate as the Goodyear F70-15 repros (tread pattern & count). If you decide to get your car judged, I believe the Goodyear F70-15 will judge better. (Can a Judge chime in?)

215-70 White Wall, Goodyear F70-15 Wide Tread, T/A 225-70 RWL

[Terry M.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

You mention the Firestone F70-15 Wide Ovals. The Firestone F70-15 repros are not as accurate as the Goodyear F70-15 repros (tread pattern & count). If you decide to get your car judged, I believe the Goodyear F70-15 will judge better. (Can a Judge chime in?)

215-70 White Wall, Goodyear F70-15 Wide Tread, T/A 225-70 RWL

Mike is right about the Goodyears for judging, but they ARE Nylon Cord, Bias Ply (like the originals) and will ride and handle like the originals. As drivers we have become used to radial tires and modern suspension, and what was arguably state-of-the-art in the late '60s-early '70s is now the dark ages. We have become used to radial tires, gas shocks (not to mention struts) and rack & pinion steering. We can't expect early C3 or older Corvettes to handle like a new car even if all the parts are new. We have to decide if judging or driving is our goal. Tires are one place where one type does not fit all.

[Joe L.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

I suggest you consider the 225/70R15 size. Do a Web search. You might be able to find an H-rated one, but it will probably be an off brand. Duke

Duke------


Both the 215-70-15 and 225-70-15 tire sizes are an "endangered species". There are very few choices available in these sizes and I don't know of a single one that's made in above a "T" rating. Most of those available are really designed for pick-up trucks or trailer use. I believe the B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A is probably the "highest performance" tire currently available in these sizes and even it may be difficult to find as I THINK it's now out-of-production.

I think the day might not be far off that it will be virtually impossible to find tires in these sizes. And, to make matters worse, now we're told that tires should be replaced every 6 years regardless of wear.

[Jim D.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

I believe the B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A is probably the "highest performance" tire currently available in these sizes and even it may be difficult to find as I THINK it's now out-of-production.

T/A's are BY FAR the worst "performance" tire on the market. I've used them because of the retro look but as many have said, "they are dangerous on anything but dry pavement with a low HP car". I had them on my Cobra and it was like driving on ice with any "spirited driving". Changed to Avon tires and it was a totally different car. AVOID T/A's at all costs.

[Joe L.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

T/A's are BY FAR the worst "performance" tire on the market. I've used them because of the retro look but as many have said, "they are dangerous on anything but dry pavement with a low HP car". I had them on my Cobra and it was like driving on ice with any "spirited driving". Changed to Avon tires and it was a totally different car. AVOID T/A's at all costs.

Jim------


I didn't say that the Radial T/A was a good performance tire. I said it was probably the best of those available in the 215-70-15 and 225-70-15 tire sizes. The others are mostly truck and trailer tires.

By the way, Avon does not offer any tire in the sizes mentioned.

[Duke W.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

And, to make matters worse, now we're told that tires should be replaced every 6 years regardless of wear.

Says who? That number is totally arbitrary, but has turned into another myth. Even Congress, when they took up the issue of tire life a few years ago, took no action when the experts testified that any number is arbitrary.

The life of a tire begins with the quality of materials and manufacturing processes, then becomes a matter of how the tire is used. A tire on a daily driver that sits in the sun all day is going to "age" much faster than a tire on a vintage car that spends most of its life in a garage or years stored in a dark place for future installation.

Some tire stores won't repair a tire that is more than six years old, again an arbitrary number, but it's good for business because most consumers throw in the towel and buy a new tire. It's a scam!

When searching for tires, do both a Google search for the size and check all the major online tire suppliers including a relatively new one, www.tires-easy.com.

Avon does offer two CR6ZZ DOT legal racing tires sized for vintage Corvettes, both V-rated and, interestingly, nearly the same OD, which implies nearly the same revs/mile, 205/70R15, and 215/70R15. The 215 is wider, particularly the tread width, so it might cause some interference on C2s mounted on OE offset 6" wheels. Someone will have to do a trial mount to determine. For a C3 go with the 215.

Attached is the 2016 CR6ZZ spec sheet.

Light truck tires are about the same as typical hard compound, all-season tread design, S-rated 205/75R15 passenger car tires that a lot of guys are running, but for a given size, they might have higher load capacity, which is good thing... not performance tires, but neither are the fancy-named white letter tires.

Duke

[Ed H.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

One might find something here: http://www.michelinclassic.com/en/Classic-Tyre-range

[Duke W.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

The XWX is certainly a candidate, available in 215/70VR15 and 225/70VR15. When introduced in the late sixties it was the stickiest road tire available and OE on high end European sports cars including the Ferrari Daytona that Car and Driver drove to its 179 MPH top speed on a Nevada highway.

[Michael J.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

Avon are about the best you can get for speed rating, stickiness, and look. But they are pricy, and not sure everyone needs that good a tire on an old Corvette that doesn't get driven very much.......

[James B.]

Re: Tires for 1970 LT-1

Aren't the radial tires offered by Kelsey Tire a suitable alternative?