klasik69

I need help with wheels. My 69 BB has stock rallye wheels with red line bias ply tires. Thats great for originality, but they ride like bricks and grab like vaseline. They're 15X8. The car is aboslutely stock, numbers matching, etc. etc. ...I want to buy new wheels for driving around, running radials like B.F. Goodrich T/A's, on either new rallye wheels or custom wheels. What size can I run and what offset must I respect to avoid clearance problems. I've seen a lot of guys run 255/60SR-15 tires on custom wheels, look good but nobody remembers the offset (or don't want to tell me !!!) Help me :cheers:

WA 2 FST

Stock backspacing on the 8" wide wheels is 4". However, the reason it may vary with some aftermarket wheels is b/c in some cases the way they are machined, they will interfere with the brake caliper. These require a small spacer. If you have to run a spacer for caliper clearance, then you will want to build more backspacing into the wheel in order to get it centered properly.

Stephen Irons

It may also be worth remebering that when the factory fitted the 255/60s back in 78, they needed to do a bit of butchery to the fenders as the tyres would catch the body/inner fender with the larger (wider) tyres. This may be a consideration, especially if you wanted to retain your car's originallity. The 225/70s will go under without that mod....

Deslok

I have Cragar SS wheels, 15x8, 4.5" bs, 1/2" spacer. Use 255/60/15 tires.

Works for me and fills the wheel wells fine.

Des

Wrencher

You might consider a 16" rim, since originality isn't a concern. That way you can keep the stock off-set, use a wheel with lower unsprung weight, and a have a larger selection of high performance tires, and still keep an original looking size under the fenders.

Hans

lvrpool32

I just did the very same thing on my 69. I have put away the rally's and the Firestone wide ovals and purchased 15x8 American Racing 200S wheels, they have the same backspacing as the factory (4") and I am running 225/70 x 15's.
As the new 200S are all polished, I have painted the center/spokes of the wheels grey to copy how the older 200S wheels where and with the 225's still get that "vintage" look I like. You could also use 235/60 (give a little wider look with a lower profile) or 255/60's (wider with a similar profile) on these wheels giving a different look.

cheers
Nick

rainman69

:iagree: with all of the above (When did this smiley change from "I'm with stupid" to "I agree?"). But I have one thing to add:

Join the 1969 Registry with that beautiful original car! http://www.1969corvettes.com

WA 2 FST

Rainman69,

I just joined last night! Very cool site. Good job with it. :D

Clink69

I run 275/50/15s on my stock rear. I had 245/60/15s on before. The 275s will Not fit on everyones car, so seem to have more clearance. If you go with the 245s you will be quite pleased and will definitly fit. ... 235s are too thin.

Chris :flag

Smokehouse69

If I had my druthers and the money, I'd go with some of the new Crager 17" wheels as shown in this link http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=469438
But when I do buy new wheels and tires it will probably end up being Wheel Vintiques 17" Chrome Rallys, like Zwede had on his car (until recently.)

Robert N

One option - keep the ralley wheels (I am partial to them) get a set of 215/70R15 RWL Goodyears, BFGs, etc for a stock look with good handling. The size will work great if the goal is cruising. A wider tire would be recommend for better traction.

My vette holds a perfect straight line at 80 mph with a set of the 215/75R15.

[Modified by Robert N, 1:44 PM 1/14/2003]


[Modified by Robert N, 4:42 PM 1/14/2003]

Jon69L46

16" Rallys with GoodYear Eagle 255/50's on the way. :hurray:
Jon

flynhi

smokehouse - before you jump on the wheel vintiques 17" wheels, talk to zwede about their weight - they are HEAVY!