c3 tire size

[Sander B.]

what would be the best tire combo with 15x7 front and 15x8 rims on the rear
it had 2 different brands and sizes tires on them 225x70 15 and 235x60 15

should we go for one size or the same as it was ??

[Mark W.]

Re: c3 tire size

Several years ago, I had a '75 that had the stock 8" wheels with old, cracked and split 225/70s all around. I believe this was the closest in size to the original F70/15s. I wanted a little wider tire and put 255/60s all around, which was standard for later year C3s. I know some people tried to put this size on earlier C3s and had problems with tire rub, but I never had the problem with that car. I would also recommend the same size all around so you could rotate tires and get even wear.

[Jim M.]

Re: c3 tire size

IMO 225/70's look best. i would put the same size on all fours with 8 inch rims on all fours.

[Jack H.]

Re: c3 tire size

All four externally mounted tires should be the same size, mfgr brand and model. The spare can deviate from the four mounted tires.

Where you're 'hurting' in Europe is on cars that are driven vs. trailer queen reproductions. Why?

If memory serves there are NO factory original suppliers of tires (Goodyear, Firestone, Goodrich, Etc.) who made the effort to have their older tires 'E-rated' to statisfy EU rules. So, you're stuck with Michellin, Pirelli, Etc. which should wind up with a 75% originality deduction (non-OEM brand service replacement).

I'm not sure if anyone has checked European countries adjacent to the EU (e.g. Turkey) where they have a reasonable population of older American cars still on the road to see if P125/P225-70-R15 tires ARE available from American tire mfgrs (Goodyear, Firestone, Goodrich)...

[Erik S.]

Re: c3 tire size

Sander - that is strange; why would someone have 68 rims on the front (eg 7 inch) and 69 and up on the rear (eg 8 inch). I use 225/70/15 radials on my 69 driver. What year are you looking at?



I had the 215/60 tires on my 68 that is currently under restoration: I think 60 is a bit too skinny; doesn't fill the wheel well as I would like it so will switch to 215/70



Erik

[Tom M.]

Re: c3 tire size

I had to show you matching redline tire for my 69 Schwinn Stingray apple krate

[Richard T.]

Re: c3 tire size

Sander you can run the 225-70-15 tires on all four wheels. Why the 68 AG seven inch in front maybe to allow for the wider 235 tire but there is also one inch less on the casing. Note running 60's in the rear will throw the speedometer off, 225's are close enough size wise to the stock F70 tire. The 215-70-15 are also close to the F70 but finding them is another matter. I would first move the rear AZ eight inch wheels with the 225 tires to the front, just to check for rubbing at full turns if you want to run AZ wheels only. The C3 cars sit low in front and higher in the rear, this gives the car more space at the rear for torque at full throttle. Some guys do not like this extra space and run 60's in front for the look, more open space in front but you run into problems if you drive the car enough to require tire rotation. The 68 AG seven inch wheels are 1/2 inch less in and out compared to the 69-82 AZ eight inch wheels both are 15" diameter. I have seen guys run AZ's in the rear and AG's in the front on 69 C3's to reduce wheel splash but your car does not have this issue. You can still rotate the wheels with the 225 size tires on all wheels if you have clearance in front for your rear AZ eight inch wheels. The trim rings will fit either wheel and the rings look nicer on the AG wheels because they fill the wheel better,but that in another matter. You may get some views on tire sizing by checking the c3 tire threads on this site. But the wheel size difference will not be in the threads.

[Sander B.]

Re: c3 tire size

i thought 15x7 was the standard and that they put on wider 15x8 on the rear

will buy 2 extra 15x8 wheels and put on 225x70R15 BF goodridge T/A's all around

the 225x70R15 where on the rear wheels and the 235x60R15 where in front in my first post i mention it the other way around

thanks for all input
Sander,

[Erik S.]

Re: c3 tire size

Sander - I may have a spare 69 8 inch wheel (just one unfortunately), so you may want to check this out first,

Erik

[Jay R.]

Re: c3 tire size

corvette went to a GR70 15 in 73 my 77 had GR70 15 goodyear when i bought the car in late 77. the 77 silver L82 i have now came with firestone GR70 15 which were recalled and replace with a set of HR60 15 goodyear which been on the car some 30 years according to the last owner who bought the car in 1980 and sold the care to me in 2009 this car has 9700 miles on her now with the replacement tires and yes u should have 8" rims on all 4. in 78 u could get a P225 70 15, P255 70 15, or a P255 60 15