15x8

[Dave B.]

Will 15x8's fit on a stock 1965 roadster? Or are they too wide and will rub? I would assume tire size will matter and I'm flexible here, meaning I'll use the necessary size to fit.
Thanks,
Dave

[Jay G.]

Re: 15x8

Will 15x8's fit on a stock 1965 roadster? Or are they too wide and will rub? I would assume tire size will matter and I'm flexible here, meaning I'll use the necessary size to fit.
Thanks,
Dave

As you know 15x8 are for the C-3 Shark Corvettes 1968-70's
I've seen 15x7 on mid years before. But 15x8 I think may be much too wide.
Running the risk of rubbing. Hard cornering, turning radius while parking etc.
Seeing the Rally Wheels are correct for 67 and up. I'd suggest steel wheels with stock 65 Hubcaps. I like the look as many seems to put on Knockoffs. Someone else will chime in with more options.

[Dave B.]

Re: 15x8

I found a very good deal on a set of complete knock off's that are 15x8 and was hoping they may fit, the seller claims they were on a C2 so I thought I'd ask. If I decided to go with something aftermarket and larger would a 17x7 fit?

[Duke W.]

Re: 15x8

No way! The 8" Corvette Rally wheels have -0.5" offset in order to provide sufficient clearance for the rear spring ends, and I think the aftermarket 8" KOs are the same. You can measure the offset, and you must include the adapter.

The 7" Corvette Rallys have -0.28" offset for the same reason and won't work on a C2 unless very short tires are mounted.

The biggest wheel/tire combination you can mount without a chance of major fender interference is a 215/70R-15 on a 6" wheel with OE or very near OE offset, which is +0.06".

If these 8" KOs came off a C2, chances are that the fenders were modified in some way or they had very short tires with lots of negative camber dialed in.

Duke

[Jim T.]

Re: 15x8

As you know 15x8 are for the C-3 Shark Corvettes 1968-70's
I've seen 15x7 on mid years before. But 15x8 I think may be much too wide.
Running the risk of rubbing. Hard cornering, turning radius while parking etc.
Seeing the Rally Wheels are correct for 67 and up. I'd suggest steel wheels with stock 65 Hubcaps. I like the look as many seems to put on Knockoffs. Someone else will chime in with more options.

Jay all 68 Corvettes came with 15X7.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 15x8

Dave
Nice fantasy ,but don't even think about it.I'm not saying it from a purist viewpoint,it just won't work dimensionally.I've seen this done repeatedly in the late 60s only after chopping the H--- out of the stock fenders.If you insist on this endeavor I will offer you half your cars value right now, no questions asked.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Jay G.]

Re: 15x8

No way! The 8" Corvette Rally wheels have -0.5" offset in order to provide sufficient clearance for the rear spring ends, and I think the aftermarket 8" KOs are the same. You can measure the offset, and you must include the adapter.

The 7" Corvette Rallys have -0.28" offset for the same reason and won't work on a C2 unless very short tires are mounted.

The biggest wheel/tire combination you can mount without a chance of major fender interference is a 215/70R-15 on a 6" wheel with OE or very near OE offset, which is +0.06".

If these 8" KOs came off a C2, chances are that the fenders were modified in some way or they had very short tires with lots of negative camber dialed in.

Duke

Duke is correct.
My 67 L-79 had exact size tires. 215-70R-15 BFG Touring Black Walls. On Org 15x6 rallys (See photo)
They were still alittle oversized. If I turned hard would rub on the passenger side if turning left.

[Carl N.]

Re: 15x8

Dave,

I tried 15x8 rally's years ago on '65 with stock suspension/stock fenders. Had to drop back to 205x75x15 to clear everthing and the small tires really did not look good on the 8" rims. Plus the tires would rub on frame when lock-to-lock in tight turn.

Went with 15x7 rally's off of a El Camino with 215x70x15 on the rear and 15x6 rally's off '67 with 205x70x15 on the front (BFG's) - ran these for several years w/o any clearance issues.

IMO any 15x8 is just too wide with stock suspension and stock fenders

Carl

[Dave B.]

Re: 15x8

Great info Carl, thank you. I see a lot of options with 15x6 up front and 15x8 in the rear. Did your 15x8's pose any problems in the rear? Do recall the offset?

[Dave B.]

Re: 15x8

Not sure what to say Stephen. I'm simply asking for advice on what will fit, I didn't say anything about chopping my car up. Quite the contrary, which is I'm asking. There's so much knowledge here why not benefit from someone else and save the pain?

Thanks for the input and I'll be able happy to offer you half for any of your cars. And that is a firm offer.

Regards

[Carl N.]

Re: 15x8

Dave,

I had stock 15x8 Corvette Rally's on rear with 205x75x15's - sorry don't recall offset whatever is stock for 15x8's.

Problem was in tight turns in intersections with dips the inside sidewall would rub on the trailing arms where the bracket is for the e/brake cable.

Plus the 8" rally is too wide for a 205x75 - I even tried an old set of F70X15's which fir 8" rally and had same problem.

IMO stay with max of 15x7 on rear and 15x6 on front.

Carl

[Dave B.]

Re: 15x8

Thank you Carl. I think I'll play it safe and go with 15x6's all the way around. Do you feel like the 205x70x15 the best fit, ride and lookfor a 15x6?

[Timothy B.]

Re: 15x8

Dave,

Stick with the 6" either steel wheels or rally's with a .060 offset like what's on the 67 vettes. Personally, I would not go bigger than 205/75 tire but try to find a H rated tire.

[John H.]

Re: 15x8

Dave -

Remember that the midyear tire/suspension/wheelhouse package was designed in 1961 around 6.70-15 tires on 5-1/2" rims; 8" anything isn't going to work.

205/75-15's on stock 15x6 rims will work fine, with no rubbing of any kind; 215/70-15's will also, with some risk of rubbing at full steering lock and suspension compression.

[Carl N.]

Re: 15x8

Dave,

PM sent

Carl