Bias Ply tire options for 1969 Camaro

[Survivor 69/Z28]

I really do not think the offset is going to be a factor.

Over the weekend I received the rears and went ahead and installed. The front tires come in tomorrow.

Here is a pick with 255/60/15. They fit in the fender wells with zero issues.

[x33rs]

Any closer pics??

That offset is going to be sketchy for me. With 255/60-15's on the back and the original YH's with 4.25" back space, I can barely even get my finger between the inside wheel lip and the sidewall of the tire on both sides of the car.
If I move the wheels out a 1/2 inch, I'm almost certain it's going to rub, especially with groceries in the trunk, or turning into any kind of odd angle driveway that tilts the rearend. It's the section width of the tire (the side wall) that is going to be an issue on mine. If I could post pictures I would.

So I'm real curious what you have for room in there..

I'm thinking to make that work on my Z, I'd have to take the 255's off and go back to a 215/70-15 tire that mimics the original E70-15 size, and get rid of some of the section width of the sidewall. I'm not opposed to doing that as I'd like to be able to rotate the tires, but I'll have to wear out these 255's first.

[x33rs]

I also see you went with the lighter colored centers. Is that more acceptable for the day 2 stuff?

I was torn between the darker center or the lighter center. Both were the same price.

[Survivor 69/Z28]

Honestly, I just think the lighter colored ones look better. Plus, I would imagine they will get darker over time. I put these on the rear and loved the look even more than I thought I would. Cant wait to get my 2 front tires. These wheels look like they should cost 3 x's more than they do, they are just that nice IMO. At a $100 a wheel they are a no brainer. I think they would also look killer on my black 70 SS Chevelle.

[x33rs]

I agree, for the price they are killer wheels and probably why they are so popular. They would even look good on a mini van, lol. They just look good on anything. But when they jacked the price $800 to move the offset a 1/2" they were quickly moved off my to-do list LOL. But for $100 a wheel they are cheaper then some of the steel rally wheels I've seen at swap meets and look 10 times better anyway. Not to mention quite a bit lighter. Which brings up another question.....by chance did you toss them on a scale? I'd be curious where that wheel comes in at with the 255-60 tire mounted??

Just the offset is scaring me off. I know for sure I'd have definite issues on the front since my 215/65's will occasionally touch the top inside of the fenders on a turn. Moving the wheels out a 1/2 inch up there is going to make that deal worse for me. So a tire size change would be necessary for sure.....on the front anyway. On the back I'm not completely comfortable yet.

I would be open to replace the front tires however to a 215-70 or maybe a 225-70 to help with slightly more ground clearance up there so the front isn't a deal breaker for me.

I'd love to see more pics.

[Survivor 69/Z28]

I did not weigh them but they were noticeable lighter than the SS wheels I took off.
They change the whole attitude of the car.

[novadude]

Originally Posted by Survivor 69/Z28

I really do not think the offset is going to be a factor.

Over the weekend I received the rears and went ahead and installed. The front tires come in tomorrow.

Here is a pick with 255/60/15. They fit in the fender wells with zero issues.

I like those a lot better than the 15" "SS" wheels on your car.

For some reason the proportions on the 15" SS wheels don't look right to me. Probably because I am so used to seeing 14" YA and AO wheels, and perceive them as "right".

[x33rs]

Originally Posted by Survivor 69/Z28

Here is a pick with 255/60/15. They fit in the fender wells with zero issues.

They do look good. I blew the picture up. Can you get your fingers between the inner lip and the tire sidewall?

I'm starting to wonder, is American Racing measuring the back spacing differently?

I guess you could possibly measure that 2 different ways, but the method I've always been taught is from the outer most portion of the wheel lip, which is 4.25" on a 15x7 rally. However if I measure it from the bead set (which is what you use to measure rim width) I'm almost at 3.75" maybe slightly more.....but close.

Also does the inside of that wheel have a mild outer lip that I can attach aluminum style snap on wheel weights? ( I don't generally like doing stick ons)

Sorry for the questions.

[x33rs]

Something else I was thinking. If there is a lot of meat on the rear mounting face, why can't I just chuck these up on the Bridgeport and mill maybe 1/4" off the face? Gain some of the backspacing back. I can't be the first person who thought of that...

[Survivor 69/Z28]

Originally Posted by x33rs

They do look good. I blew the picture up. Can you get your fingers between the inner lip and the tire sidewall?

I'm starting to wonder, is American Racing measuring the back spacing differently?

I guess you could possibly measure that 2 different ways, but the method I've always been taught is from the outer most portion of the wheel lip, which is 4.25" on a 15x7 rally. However if I measure it from the bead set I'm almost at 3.75" maybe slightly more.....but close.

Also does the inside of that wheel have a mild outer lip that I can attach aluminum style snap on wheel weights? ( I don't generally like doing stick ons)

Sorry for the questions.

Yes I can put my fingers between the inner lip and sidewall. Enough room for the tires to travel up and down without rubbing. These are 15x7 wheels and I took off 15X8's and its noticeably different. I do not foresee any issues with 215/65 on the front since I am running that size now. Or at least I sure hope not.

The inner lip does have a place for weights but I asked for the sticker ones.