65 Radial Tires

[Edward S.]

I am looking to replace my bias ply tires with radials size 215/70R15 with a 1" ww - I recently went through about 24 tires of this size that were new Firestone DeLuxe Champions. For some reason Firestone seems to currently have a problem with blemishes on the white wall section of the tires. Does anyone have any suggestions on other Brands to look at? Thanks.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Ed;

I put radials on my 63 for the first time in 2004 before we moved to Florida from Illinois. My former bias ply tires started to chunk out rubber on one of my last 100 mph clean out runs before I shipped the car, so I changed them. I went to our local Goodyear Dealer then where a Chevy Trained Corvette mechanic worked part time on week ends. He suggested that the best size for me to replace the 6.70 x 15's (or 7.75 x 15's) was their P205 - 75R x 15's with 1" white wall "Regatta" model. I considered a more expensive "speed rated" tire, but figured at my age I should keep my century + runs to a minimum. Besides, the Regatta is a good looking tire, it's easy to maintain and I don't have to be extra careful going up/down driveways for fear of cracking a fender as could be the case with a larger tire. This fellow did a complete front and rear end alignment for radials (the rear had to be adjusted full out) using a computer alignment machine and later C-3 w/radials specs, I believe.

The bottom line is that it rides and handles very well, a great improvement. The tread patch seems to be more than adequate for my type of driving. I have my steering adjusted at the quick ratio so it still steers like a truck anyway.

Stu Fox

[Edward S.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Stu,
Thanks for the info - I had some of those firestones I discussed on my car and had no problems with the extra size (only the blems). I friend of mine bought these same tires 6 months ago for his 66 and has had no problems with them In his search for tires he reported that many companies no longer make that size at all or not with a 1" ww. This I can understand with the ratio of ww versus bw available on todays new autos - I intend to start my search this afternoon and will hit a goodyear dealer if open. Thanks again for the info. Best wishes, Ed.

[Duke W.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

I believe Diamond Back can apply any sidewall treatment of your choice to any commercially available blackwall.

The best tire for C2s based on performance and safety considerations is the 215/70ZR-15 97W Pirelli P4000 Super Touring.

The cost will be more than a cheap, low speed rated tire, but what price do you put on performence, and especially safety?

Duke

[Edward S.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Stu & Duke,
Thanks for your input - I looked at some Goodyears, Goodrich and Kelly tires this afternoon. Duke, I assume the Pirelli your talking about is a ww.
I had coffee tonight with a few Corvette buddies and more than 1 was of the opinion that the 215's might be too large. I rode around for a few weeks with the 215 Firestones with the blems and did not feel or hear anything out of the norm - but I have side exhaust and at times it's tough to hear anything. I am taking the Firestones back to get a credit on tuesday so I have them stacked in my garage, I looked at them and see no indication of rubbing. Duke, your message on Pirelli says 215 I am sure you feel the size is no problem. Once again thanks for your help.

[Duke W.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

I referenced Diamondback' service because the P4000 is blackwall only, which I think looks best on vintage Corvettes, but if you think a sidewall treatment is worth the price, it can be done.

Several vintage Corvette owners have installed the referenced P4000 and have no interference other than the steering gear carriage heads bolts at full lock, which is not a safetly issue.

Body tolerances vary, particularly if there has been field body repair. Additional fender lip clearance can be achieved by moving camber in the negative direction - one degree provides about 0.25" more lip clearance, and it's a linear function.

Duke

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

I lived with black walls (U.S. Royals) and a black convertible top on my Daytona (dark) Blue 63 for the first 4 or 5 years after I bought it (new), and I yearned for white walls and a white top all during that time. I was in the Army and bought it on a PFC's budget so I put the money into what I could afford (340 hp engine, Metallic Brakes and AM/FM radio). I put on new Goodyear whitewalls soon after I got back in the country and spun it off an on ramp backwards, blowing out 2 Royals (still carrying the original never used Royal spare). The black top went in the mid 70's thanks to a vandal. Point is; I like the "Boulevard" look just like Duke likes the more competition look, so it's all a matter of personal taste.

I do recall some midyears with oversize bias ply tires rubbed on the frame rails. Seems to me they were F78x15's. I don't know, perhaps Duke can comment, if it makes any difference for clearances whether you have the Tie Rods in the slow or fast positions. Mine have been in the fast position since new (that's why my arms are so strong).

Stu Fox

[Edward S.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Stu & Duke,

I really appreciate your input - going to try to test 205's versus 215's. I know from going to many car shows in the past it seems that my L-78 with HD suspension sits lower than mid-years with regular suspension. I have a friend with a 66 regular suspension that recently put 215's on and is rubbing the frame and his car rides higher than mine. I am far from being a mechanic but rather then worry about making a hard right and rubbing the frame - I might worry about making a hard left ( hitting a bump ) and maybe hitting the fender lip ( don't really know if that's possible ). I just may go with the 205's to be safe rather then sorry. My car will be in the Gallery of Corvettes at Carlisle this year, if you happen to be attending I hope we run into one another. Once again I appreciate all your help and input. Best wishes, Ed.

[Michael H.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

I just may go with the 205's to be safe rather then sorry.

Good choice.

[Wayne P.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

64 maybe different, but I ran 215-70X15 on knock-offs for several years and never a rub.

[Edward S.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Much thanks to you all for your input, now if someone could get me some info on my seat backs

[Ralph E.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Much thanks to you all for your input, now if someone could get me some info on my seat backs

FWIW
205/75 have a 27.11" diameter
215/70 have a 26.83" diameter
but the 205's are more narrow than the 215's

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

What is the width of the rims on 65's? I know that using 70 series on 63 and 64's opens a concern for the cross section profile of the tire. I don't know the forces that come into play here, not being a tire engineer, but I once had GR70 x 15's on my 63 which had stock 5.5" rims.The handling characteristics of the car were all messed up. It appeared as though putting them on such a narrow rim distorted the cross section profile, sort of an opening up of the tread. The car would break away unexpectedly on corners as if the tires were rolling over. On the good side of the ledger, traction in the snow was great. Perhaps someone can explain this better. By the way, these tires were put on my car by mistake when the tire supplier mistook my 63 as a 68 and put on the wrong size, and the alignment was still set up for bias ply tires as well..

Stu Fox

[Edward S.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Everyone I know with a 65 through 67 that has 205's has no problem with them - today I put a 215 next to my 7.75 bias ply and saw just how much wider the 215 was. I am going to go with a 205 of some type. As I said not being a gifted mechanic I was surprised to see that when I lined up a 7.75, 205 and a 215 that the height to me looked the same - I would have bet money that the 215 would have been bigger. Maybe it's these old eyes going to pot. I might be able to go to work for the dealer who mistook a 63 for a 68.

[Brian K.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Ed, I am looking to replace my 215/70's that I have had on knock offs for a long time & I only experienced minor rub on the steering box bolts. I think there have been a few instances on a bump while turned where it has rubbed the fender so I think 205 may be the way to go.

I want a 3/4 ww but no one seems to make it other than the repro and I am concerned about the quality of those as Duke states.

I would appreciate hearing what you ultimately do. Am I correct you want a ww too?

Brian