280Z Turbo

My dad and I are trying to restore his '63 convertible back to good driver status. One of the major things that needs to be fixed are the wheels. It currently has nasty old Cragars with chrome flaking off. The backspacing is totally incorrect for a Corvette, causing a potentially dangerous rubbing condition on the inner sidewall.

I'm not a big fan of the modern look of 17's, but I want something a little less squishy than a 75 series tire. 16's seem like a good compromise to me. I'm considering 16x7 Torq Thrust II's with 4" backspacing and 225/60-16 tires. Is anyone running this size?

Some pictures would help us make a decision.

3JsVette

There's really not a lot to chose from in 16s. Consider 17s with 50 or even 55 series sidewalls. There is a much better selection and they won't have the dreaded "rubber band" look. Do a search using "17s" you will find lots of examples.

TheSaint

I am going to buy a set of 17x7 AR Torque Trust II wheels and use 211-55-17 tires front and 225-55-17 or 235-50-17 rear

After what understand the perfect backspacing on larger wheels are 4"

I really do not think you see any big difference if you use 55 tall tires on 17 inch wheels compared to 16 inch wheels

Perhaps it is best to do it the safest way and use 225-55-17 rear?

This is the car of a friend of mine and he have 235-55-17 rear tires on 17x7 wheels that are made to look just like the Torque Trust II wheels

It is a tight fit but the tires have not touched the wheel lip on the car and he have had these wheels on his car for 2 years now

warrenmj

I think you will have more tire options with 17" wheels vs 16".

66since71

I remembered some threads that could help you... Waiting on the Belmont to start, i had some time to look them up.... (by the way, while there may not be so many 16" tire sizes, there a LOTS of choices in the most obvious size 225-60x16)
Harry

Post 76
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...-wheels-4.html

Picture is not available anymore, but one of the authors (TTop Tony) might still be on the forum
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...d-16-tt2s.html

Try this, for the other car mentioned
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...-tires-on.html

JohnZ

For all practical purposes, they don't make 16" tires any more - why invest in "orphan" 16" wheels and have even fewer tire choices than you do with 15" wheels? Stick with 15" or go to 17" - forget 16".

280Z Turbo

I'm not sure where you are getting that information. Cars are still being produced with 16" wheels. Maybe they're rolling off the assembly lines on bare rims.

There are no good tires left in the 215/70-15 size anymore. They're all rock hard touring tires with no sporting pretensions. 225/60-16 at least gives you a few options. It was a pretty common size for midsize cars for a while.

Like I said, I don't care for the look of 17" wheels. It's just a little too much bling for a car made in 1963. 16's are kind of a compromise between look and performance for me.

LB66383

I have AR 16" TTII rims on my '66. I am running 235/55s on them with no interference problems. There are still decent tires out there in that size, check Tire Rack.

Wayne1964

Picture would be great.

280Z Turbo

I stumbled onto an eBay ad for a car with 16" rims and what appears to be 225/60-16 tires. They look great!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-ROADSTER-TRIPLE-RED-RESTORED-VETTE-SELLING-NO-RESERVE-/121358256043?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

bosshog8

I completely understand what you are trying to do and why you want to avoid 17" plus rims. I went through this last year because I feel the exact same way, I hate 17" plus wheels on these cars. For your information there are plenty of performance tire choices available in 16".

Here are mine, they are 255/50/16 which is too wide for you but the BFG g-force sport comp-2 tires have a nice selection.