Tire Size 1970 Corvette

[Richard H.]

Hi all,

What is the best tire size for a 1970 coupe?

Thanks,
Rich Harris

[Jim T.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

I like the 255/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GTll on my 1970. Have used Goodyear Eagle's of this size for at least the past 25 years.

[Don L.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

Hi Richard. I think your question is more of a personal preference unless of course, you are thinking of flight judging.

The original tire for your car was a F70/15 bias ply (non radial) tire. There are several reproductions of the original style out there, however, none of them (my opinion) ride or handle like today's radial tire.

In the 6 years I've had my '72 convertible, I've had 255/60's, 235/60's and now 215/70's. I found the 255/60 too fat - so much so that the inboard sidewall rubbed the frame in full turn position. I went to the 235 to get a narrower tire, but still keep as close to the original overall diameter as I could get in a wide tire. Then I got a set of F70's for judging and decided I liked the look of the narrow tire more than the wide. I sold the 235's and installed the 215's. I believe these tires ride and handle best of the 3 radial sets I've tried. The 215/70 is the closest in size (width and o/all diameter) to the original sizing that can be found in a radial tire. I think you'll find that some of us prefer the 225/70 over the 215. Preference will dictate.

I may have photos of each set of tires I've had and can send them to you if you like. I hope this helps you in your quest to find what's best for you. Good luck in your search!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

I like the 225/70s better than the 215/70s, having tried both.

There you go, Don. A new size to try.

Patrick

[Don L.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

I like the 225/70s better than the 215/70s, having tried both.

There you go, Don. A new size to try.

Patrick

Hah! Now Patrick, just who do you think I had in mind when I said "I think you'll find that some of us prefer the 225/70 over the 215. Preference will dictate."? Hmmmm???

Having seen your stable of 225's, and having discussed this issue when I visited you in the spring, I just KNEW you'd be ringing in. As for me, I've found my love. I had to special order my 215's and hear that the market is slowly moving to fewer 215 manufacturers in a RWL. Frankly though, I think at < 800 miles per year, I will get a lifetime of use out of the ones I have now. I'm finally set.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

Hah! Now Patrick, just who do you think I had in mind when I said "I think you'll find that some of us prefer the 225/70 over the 215. Preference will dictate."? Hmmmm???

Having seen your stable of 225's, and having discussed this issue when I visited you in the spring, I just KNEW you'd be ringing in. As for me, I've found my love. I had to special order my 215's and hear that the market is slowly moving to fewer 215 manufacturers in a RWL. Frankly though, I think at < 800 miles per year, I will get a lifetime of use out of the ones I have now. I'm finally set.

You can see my one set of 215s next week.

[Warren F.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

The 225 x 70 15 Goodyear Eagle II tire will still fit in the tire tub with some adjustments of the carriage bolts. Both of my '71's have sets of 5 tires each using the above brand.

[Michael D.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

...What is the best tire size for a 1970 coupe?...

Your choice; your car. I run 225R70-15s on my '68 and my '80.

[Greg F.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

I have a 71 and just had this same question earlier this year. I bought 225/70R's in May. They look and fit great. You can look up the discussion under my name. I saw a 71 at the NCRS event in January and thought the 215's didn't fit the wheel as nice....BUT, it's your preference. Some also stated that some shops won't mount a 215 tire on a 15x8 wheel. Something to consider as well. Hope it helps.

[Chris H.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

My '70 has 225s and my '69 has 215s. Parked side by side, the '70 sits noticeably higher than the '69. They both have stock / original suspensions and have what I consider proper ride heights.

[Randy C.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

215/70R15s on mine. I like the look and I like the ride just fine.

Randy C.

[Don L.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

I agree with all comments posted regarding this subject.

There is a risk that a particular dealer might not want to mount a 215 on the std 8" AZ rim. I expected this from my local dealer, due to past problems when he declined to mount a tire (spare) that was more than 10 years old, but had no trouble on this project.

The bead of the rim indeed shows with the 215 mounted. In fact, the 4 trim ring retainers show too.

There is some risk, depending on tire manufacturer that the OD of the tire will come very (too) close to the fender lip when in full turn. If I recall with accuracy, the 225 has a larger OD than the F70. It's defintely larger than the 215. This may lend to Chris's '70 sitting high vs his '69 - dunno for sure.

I chose the 215 because my research showed the OD, tread width and sidewall width when mounted to be the closest to the original F70.

I took this qtr view photo of my car in the driveway with my phone (sorry the quality isn't very good) in an attempt to show what you should expect to see with the 215's. The 225's I've seen are just wide enough to hide the rim bead and trim ring retainers. At the end of the day, there's only 3/16" difference in width on each sidewall between the 215's and 225's.

Hope this helps.

[Michael S.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

I use the 235R60x15 BFG's TA's No clearance problems, good ride.

[Terry M.]

Re: Tire Size 1970 Corvette

I know of one 1970 owner (actually former owner. He has since sold the car.) who was unsuccessful with P235 70 R 15 Goodyear RSA tires on his F41 equipped 1970. They rubbed he said, but I didn't ask where. Since they were OEM on my Caprice former police cars they worked fine for me.