1969 Tire Options

[Steve P.]

Is there a White Raised Letter tire option that could be looked upon as acceptable. I won't be having the car judged, I just like the look but would like to be close to being period correct, and what would be a size with a bigger footprint that would fit the rally wheel with no clearance issues. Off the subject, just let me say as a newcomer, what a great organization to be a member of and all of the guidance has been greatly appreciated. Steve Pugsley

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Hi Steve,
Kelsey Tire, who advertises in the DRIVELINE, has a Goodyear small letter rwl tire that might interest you.
It's a more modern steel belted radial which isn't a good choice from a judging perspective and the side wall lettering does indicate it's steel belted, but the appearance certainly reminds me of the tires that would have been on your 69 originally.
These tires would, I believe, be a much better 'driving' tire than the Goodyear and Firestone tires that are offered that are 'closer' in appearance to the originals for your car.
There's a 225/70 size offered that is one size above the equivalent sized original tire for your car; but I think this size fills the wheel opening well. The 225 gives the car a little more 'muscular' look.
Worth a look?
Regards,
Alan

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Steve,

I guess it depends on how strict your definition of "period correct." RWL tires were only available the last couple months of '69 production. But I know what you mean. I remembered how "cool" the Firestone Wide Oval RWL's looked back in the day, not to mention Firestone's marketing campaign back in the day, so I purchased a set of the repops from Coker. These would do terrible in judging but do provide that look I remember. However, I'm not too sure I made a good choice. The appearance difference is very marginal when compared to a set of modern radials that would perform far better.


As for size, larger tires will fit in the wheel wells as long as you don't crazy. For example Coker makes some G70-15's that would provide a bit more width. If you want to go the route of extra wide tires on the rear and use offset adapters, that's been done by many Corvette owners. The Corvette Forum might be a better place for advice on that mod.

Best of luck

[Jim T.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

I like the Goodyear Eagle GT II's on my 1970. Size is 255/60/15. Have been using this size of Goodyear tires on my 1970 since the 1980's. This size tire was available from the Corvette factory on C3's from 1978-1982.

[Pat M.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

I like the Goodyear Eagle GT II's on my 1970.

I like them on my 70 as well.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

I had the GY 255 X 60's on my '77 from '78-'89. They fit well, looked good and handled very well.

[Lionel G.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Hello. I would like to get radial tires on my 69 to drive around (not for show or judging). Original size is equivalent to P215/70R 15. I believe I need to keep the 15 value, but can I increase the size to P225 for example without having turning radius issue? Answers from above thread seem to have newer Corvette models. Thank you!

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Hello. I would like to get radial tires on my 69 to drive around (not for show or judging). Original size is equivalent to P215/70R 15. I believe I need to keep the 15 value, but can I increase the size to P225 for example without having turning radius issue? Answers from above thread seem to have newer Corvette models. Thank you!

Lionel------

225-70-15 will work fine. Any larger 70 series tire usually will not.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Is there a White Raised Letter tire option that could be looked upon as acceptable. I won't be having the car judged, I just like the look but would like to be close to being period correct, and what would be a size with a bigger footprint that would fit the rally wheel with no clearance issues. Off the subject, just let me say as a newcomer, what a great organization to be a member of and all of the guidance has been greatly appreciated. Steve Pugsley

Steve------


If I were you I'd look seriously at the RWL Goodyear Custom Wide Tread Polyglas in F-70-15 available from Kelsey Tire. This is a bias belted tire. However, it will perform very well---better than radials. The downside is that the ride will not be as good as radials. It's also a great looking tire.

Want a wider footprint? Go with the Goodyear Wide Tread Polyglas GT in G60-15.

One other problem with both of the above is that they're expensive. Good things usually are.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

I like the Goodyear Eagle GT II's on my 1970.

Of course, there are no EAgle GT II's in existence any more.

Tire options in 215 and 225 are really quite poor. The only "looks good" tire is likely the BFGoodrich Radial TA, which is only a mediocre tire in real life.

[Lionel G.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Thank you Joe! On a different topic and out of curiosity, are you related to NCRS member Bill Lucia in Georgia?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Thank you Joe! On a different topic and out of curiosity, are you related to NCRS member Bill Lucia in Georgia?

Lionel-------


As far as I know, we're not related. However, it's possible there is some shared ancestry "way back". If Bill ever gets a DNA test done via Ancestry.com, we'll know. I have mine.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Of course, there are no EAgle GT II's in existence any more.

Tire options in 215 and 225 are really quite poor. The only "looks good" tire is likely the BFGoodrich Radial TA, which is only a mediocre tire in real life.

Patrick-------


Yup, 15" radial tire models in anything resembling a performance tire have dwindled to virtually nothing. That's why I "stocked up" on Goodyear RS-A in 225-15 size when they were still available.

[Gary H.]

Re: 1969 Tire Options

Diamondback has a clean 245 60 15 redline radial tire. No printing of any type of the sidewall. They use bf good TA. Very happy with the ride and the look.
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