C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

[Richard B.]

I have a 69 L68 coupe that needs some tires for weekend driving. At most I drive the car on weekends not more then 25 miles. The current tires are NITRO 235/60HR15. They were on the car when I purchased it in 1993. They still have a lot of tread but are starting to crack along the outside.

My question is, are these a good size tire for my C3 or should I go bigger 255/60R15 or standard replacement size 225/70R15. Most of the driving I do is to and from some local shows, with an occasional 100 mile trip on the freeway.
I am leaning toward the 255/60R15. What brands provide the best ride as I'm sure I won't ware them out before they need to be replaced again.

[Ken B.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

I'm using Dunlop GT Qualifiers on my 75..Not a bad price and I think the ride is good and they look pretty good also.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

I think you'll find that 255s will rub your frame and possibly the body in the front when you turn corners. You can probably try them in the back, but I'd stick with a narrower tire for the front.

225s all the way around work well for me.

Patrick

[Robert R.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

Richard
Check out your local Firestone dealer and ask if they may have inventory on Firehawk PV41's these are the same tires used on the Impala police cars and they are: 225 70R 15 the perfect size for your clearence and speedo accuracy.
They are V rated (149 MPH) and stick like glue on the pavement.
Bob

[Kenneth H.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

Richard,

Check out the thread titled "another tire question" that's be ongoing for the last few days. We discussed replacement radial tires at length in that thread for my '70, but it should also apply to your '69.

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

Richard B. when the Corvette production started offering the 255/60/15 Goodyears Eagle GT's as an option, the 78 Corvettes that received this tire option also received some fender triming at the factory.
Perhaps others can verify what/where was known to have recieved this on their 78's with this 255/60/15 tire option.
Do not know what was done to later year models, but the 255/60/15 tire was used until final production of the 1982 C3.
I have used Goodyear Eagle GT 255/60/15's on my 1970 for over 20 years and plan on getting the Goodyear Eagle GT II's in the same size for replacements soon.
I have no tire/fender rubbing issues with 255/60/15's selection.
I use the 225/70/15 Goodyears on my 68. Did not purchase the 255/60/15's because my original 68's rims are 7 inches. My 70's original rims like your 69's are 8 inches.

[Richard B.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

Thanks to everyone. I think I will see what I can find in BF Goodrich 225/70R15 if I can locate them.

[Erv M.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

I have B F Goodrich 245/60R15 on my 69 and they work fine. No rubbing.

Gotta love those raise white letter tires.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

I have B F Goodrich 245/60R15 on my 69 and they work fine. No rubbing.

Gotta love those raise white letter tires.

Erv, et al------


I have used the 245-60-15 tire size on my 69 ever since I switched to radials about 25+ years ago. I found it to be the biggest oversize tire that would work with no problems with fender or frame interference. However, this tire size is a very "endangered species". B. F. Goodrich does still have a "Radial T/A" available in this size, but it's only an "S" speed rated tire. I don't know of any other major brand tire made in the 245-60-15 size, though.

[Richard B.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

Thanks for the feedback. I am currently running the 80-82 Aluminum wheels for when driving it around town. I'll be hunting around for the tires soon as the ones on it are not safe for any longer trips.

[Don L.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

Like Joe, I have the 245-60-15's on my '72. I liked the size because it filled out the fenders without rubbing the frame. I bought the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTS model. Couldn't find the Goodyear GT II and the Firestones don't say Firestone in white letter. Instead, they had FIREHAWK, which I thought was corny. Uniroyals were found on '72's however, not many. Thought that was a better idea than the BFG's, which were clearly not an OEM issue.

I don't recall the numbers, but the 245-60's had an OD that was quite comparable to factory issued bias ply F-70-15's. You certainly don't want them too big, as they'll rub the frame on a hard turn, or could break a fender. Also don't want them too small, as the diameter makes them look like roller skate wheels if the OD is short. Speedo reading also get out of whack with too much variation from OEM design is used.

Hope this helps.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

Like Joe, I have the 245-60-15's on my '72. I liked the size because it filled out the fenders without rubbing the frame. I bought the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTS model. Couldn't find the Goodyear GT II and the Firestones don't say Firestone in white letter. Instead, they had FIREHAWK, which I thought was corny. Uniroyals were found on '72's however, not many. Thought that was a better idea than the BFG's, which were clearly not an OEM issue.

I don't recall the numbers, but the 245-60's had an OD that was quite comparable to factory issued bias ply F-70-15's. You certainly don't want them too big, as they'll rub the frame on a hard turn, or could break a fender. Also don't want them too small, as the diameter makes them look like roller skate wheels if the OD is short. Speedo reading also get out of whack with too much variation from OEM design is used.

Hope this helps.

Don-----


Tire specs are as follows:

245-60-15= 26.6" OD, 782 revs/mile

F70-15= 26.97" OD, 748 revs/mile

[Richard B.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

I'm looking at the BFG 225/70 R15 and the diameter is 27.4" 759 revs/mile. I guess either will work. I guess its just matter of which ones I can find.

Thanks

[Duke W.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

Don-----


Tire specs are as follows:

245-60-15= 26.6" OD, 782 revs/mile

F70-15= 26.97" OD, 748 revs/mile

My 1973 Pirelli Pocket Guide lists the F70-15 at 776 revs/mile. An old Goodyear catalog lists the G70-15 at 764. The F70-15 is not listed, but it would have to be somewhat more than the G70-15.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Tires for Driving not Judging

My 1973 Pirelli Pocket Guide lists the F70-15 at 776 revs/mile. An old Goodyear catalog lists the G70-15 at 764. The F70-15 is not listed, but it would have to be somewhat less than the G70-15.

Duke

Duke----


The F-70-15 spec I provided is from the Kelsey Tire specs for their reproduction Goodyear F-70-15 Speedway Wide Tread tires used for 68-72 Corvettes.