1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

[Paul S.]

Could you get the 255 / 60 tire option with the standard ralley wheels , or did you have to get the alloy wheel option, too?

[Mike F.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

Unless I'm missing something, 28,000 cars received YJ8 aluminum wheels, while only 18,300 recieved the QBS 255/60.

http://corvettec3.ca/options.htm#1978_Options

I thought you could get either size on either type wheel, they are both 15x8.

[Paul D.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

I'm sure someone with more dealership ordering experience will chime in on this. I won't say for sure on the 78-79 models with the Goodyear GT Radials, but I know the 80-82 years had the 255 Eagle GT tires available on steel rallye rims. I watched one come off the truck so equipped in 81 I believe. I also think it was a mistake on the sales manager's part. Alloys were such an inexpensive option, most were ordered with them. I can only recall a couple cars with steel wheels after 1980. By the way, I thought the 81 looked great with the 255 tires on rallyes. Chip.

[George C.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

This is a great question. I checked some of my old order guides (78-82) from back then and there was no mention of restricting 255 Goodyear GT Radials(78-79) or 255 Eagle GT's (80-82). Looking at a 82 Corvette brochure, on the second page you see a white 1982 Corvette with the 255 Eagle GT's on plain Rally steel wheels.
With the excitement in 78 with the new body style most Chevrolet dealers just ordered the recommended combination that Chevrolet showed in pictures prior to the inital ordering. Example a 78 Silver Anniversary with 255 GT Radials vs a 78 Silver Anniversary with the smaller 225's,more had the 255's thats what I observed. Also remember all 78 and79 Corvettes had their fenders (cut)trimmed to fit the wider tire.

[Ray K.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

Paul

I just looked at the paperwork that I still have regarding the purchase of 1978 Corvette Silver Anniversary Edition with the B2Z two tone silver paint application.. The B2Z option then required the YJ8 aluminum wheels and then we had the QBS 255/60 X15 tires. If the B2Z option were not selected it seems that QBS tires would have been available on steel wheels.
And, yes, the front fender wheel openings were trimmed to accommodate the larger tire.

Ray

[Tom R.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

Could you get the 255 / 60 tire option with the standard ralley wheels , or did you have to get the alloy wheel option, too?

Yes I agree with George! I have copies of buildsheets where P255s were shipped on vehicles shipped with base wheels.

[Paul S.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

As always , thanks for all the help everyone !!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom P.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

I believe only cars that got the 255 (larger) tires had their front fender wheel openings trimmed.

The t******* was a really primitive operation sometimes resulting in amateur results.

I had a 79 without the larger tires and the fender arches had not been trimmed or "butchered".

And when I put 255 tires on it, no t******* was required.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

Gee, the Board doesn't like the word t r i m m i n g!!!

[Marc B.]

Re: 1978 ---- tire 255 tire option

I have a 1982 with N90 Aluminium wheels and QGR P225/70R-15 (both on window & tank sticker) If both tire sizes were available on the Alu. wheels, they both should have been on std. wheels...