Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

[Glen C.]

Many on this site have recommended the Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 WW, GL, or RL radial for use on mid year Corvettes, as the widest radial size to insure no body interference. I could not find this size on their web site except in the Michelin brand. The following Michelin sizes were offered, 205/75R-15, 215/70R-15, 215/75R-15. I called & was told that the Firestone 205/75R-15 size has been discontinued, but is still available in the wider 215/70R15. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the wider DB/Firestone, with Firestone script on sidewall, or the 205/70R-15 DB/Michelin, with no side wall script. Has any one purchased the DB/Firestone in the wider 215/70R-15 or the Michelin in the other sizes? If so any suggestions comments or problems? Thanks in advance!

[Bill C.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

Glen,
I have put the Michelin 215/70-15 Symmetry tire on many 63-7 cars, real nice tire, no fit or interference issues.

My favorite.

Bill

[Peter J.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

Glen,
I have done the same with Michelin 215/70-15 with no problems.
Pete

[Paul H.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

I have the Firestone 215-70-15 goldline radials on my 65 from Diamondback. Nice tires and no clearance issues. I have knockoffs. I also just put a set of their Michelin WW on my 61, also 215-70-15. I like them both but prefer the Michelins.

[Bill C.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

Glen,
I have put the Michelin 215/70-15 Symmetry tire on many 63-7 cars, real nice tire, no fit or interference issues.

My favorite.

Bill

Paul mentions a good point, KO's are a bit wider of a rim, that said I have used these mostly with the KO's

Bill

[Ray K.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

I have had Goodyear Eagle 215 / 70 / 15 tires mounted on a 7" wheel on my '65 for many years

Ray

[R N.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

I have Perreli P4000 Super Touring P215-70-15 on my 1966 with factory steel rims with no issues.

[Glen C.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

Thank you all for your input. Looks like P215/70-R15 is the way to go. I plan on putting the new tires on an original set of Kelsey KO's.

[William F.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

Are any of the tires mentioned in this discussion H or above speed rated?Need a set for my '67's.
Thanks

[Glen C.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

William, Two members earlier in this thread mentioned the Michelin Symmerty in the P215/70/R15. These tires are reasonably priced @$110-$125 and have an "S" speed rating, which I believe is 112MPH. One reason that I may purchase the Michelins, is they have an extremely narrow white stripe. Listed as up to 1/2" (maybe 3/8") depending on tire size. Another reason is to experment with a product called Dupli-Color "Hot Tires" tire dye. It comes in white, yellow, or red for less than $10. From there I would dye the white walls to see how they might look as gold lines. I have a set of virtually unused 25+ year old BF Goodrich 7.75/15 bias ply gold line tires to use as a color reference. Big risk! I might end up with really bad looking tires & have to turn them around and go with black walls. However, If you are thinking about red line tires for your 67, this might be a way to go. I have not actually seen the Michelins except in web site pictures, so I do not know if the white wall is grooved, flush, or raised. This could make a difference. Maybe Bill or Peter would comment on their tires and this idea. By the way, I do not plan on having the car judged.

[Bill C.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

William, Two members earlier in this thread mentioned the Michelin Symmerty in the P215/70/R15. These tires are reasonably priced @$110-$125 and have an "S" speed rating, which I believe is 112MPH. One reason that I may purchase the Michelins, is they have an extremely narrow white stripe. Listed as up to 1/2" (maybe 3/8") depending on tire size. Another reason is to experment with a product called Dupli-Color "Hot Tires" tire dye. It comes in white, yellow, or red for less than $10. From there I would dye the white walls to see how they might look as gold lines. I have a set of virtually unused 25+ year old BF Goodrich 7.75/15 bias ply gold line tires to use as a color reference. Big risk! I might end up with really bad looking tires & have to turn them around and go with black walls. However, If you are thinking about red line tires for your 67, this might be a way to go. I have not actually seen the Michelins except in web site pictures, so I do not know if the white wall is grooved, flush, or raised. This could make a difference. Maybe Bill or Peter would comment on their tires and this idea. By the way, I do not plan on having the car judged.

The WW is raised, about 3/8" wide and I have dyed them as redline, goldline, even blue lines. They look great!

If you are unhappy with the end result, it will come off with lacquer thinner without harming the tire.

[John W.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

I am looking for tires for my '62 and have read with interest all of your posts. I need to replace the original 50 year old spare as well. I am concerned about either the P205//R75/15 or the P215/R70/15 fitting in the spare tire well without the lid standing an inch or so above the trunk floor. Anyone have any experience with this issue.

[Bill C.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

I am looking for tires for my '62 and have read with interest all of your posts. I need to replace the original 50 year old spare as well. I am concerned about either the P205//R75/15 or the P215/R70/15 fitting in the spare tire well without the lid standing an inch or so above the trunk floor. Anyone have any experience with this issue.

John,
I do not know if the 215 will fit, I know the 205 will as its a thinner profile
Bill

[Glen C.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

Bill, Thanks for the additional information. So did you change colors on the same tires or on different ones? I ordered both the Dupli-Color Hot Tires, in yellow, and another similar product called All Star Performance, Yellow Paint Marker. Which product did you use? Was it one of these? Also is your spare tire one of the Michelin Symmetry tires, if so how does it fit the mid-year tire tub & what rims are you using?

[Bill C.]

Re: Diamond Back/Firestone 205/75R-15 tires

Bill, Thanks for the additional information. So did you change colors on the same tires or on different ones? I ordered both the Dupli-Color Hot Tires, in yellow, and another similar product called All Star Performance, Yellow Paint Marker. Which product did you use? Was it one of these? Also is your spare tire one of the Michelin Symmetry tires, if so how does it fit the mid-year tire tub & what rims are you using?

Glen,
The 215 will not fit in midyear spare tub. I did a number of different sets in different colors for others, the dye came from a supplier in NYC, I do not have the info off hand but I think its been posted before, maybe by me.
Bill