Rims / Tires for my 1969 Corvette

[Dave Rifkin]

Guys,

I am looking to get some old school style rims for my '69 Corvette and really like the look of the American Racing Hot Rod T70 (I know they look like TT2's and everyone has them). I have been on the Corvette sites and an seeing more and more owners installing 17" rims in place of the stock 15".
I was wondering what your thoughts are on the 15" vs 17" debate and also wondering if you guys had any suggestions as to where I should order the rim / tire combination from. (Tire Rack; etc.)

Thanks

[Salvatore]

How about 15X8 and 15X7 slotted wheels? ET, Ansen, Fenton etc. I think they would look good on a vette with polyglas tires. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gifn older

[Dave Rifkin]

I've never been much of a slots fan (funny since I work for a slot machine manufacturer)

[napa68]

200S's. That would nail the look, at the time, for a Corvette. The only thing that would make it better is some OLD school first design BFG's.

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
200S's. That would nail the look, at the time, for a Corvette. The only thing that would make it better is some OLD school first design BFG's.

[/ QUOTE ]

They are pretty cool; rims are very hard to decide on.

[Salvatore]

How about some vintage Torq's? Maybe some red line tires or RWL Polyglas?

[PxTx]

I strongly recommend 15" wheels on whatever you do. They are a classic, while the 17 will certainly date the car to the present style and taste.

[markjohnson]

I am so sick of Torque Thrusts(especially polished), but I gotta say a set of American Racing 200S's(or "Daisys") would be the ultimate.

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
How about some vintage Torq's? Maybe some red line tires or RWL Polyglas?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I am going to go with the rims shown here

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelClos...&sort=Brand (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialP artNumber=T70R5861SPL&wheelMake=American+Racing+Au thentic+Hot+Rod&wheelModel=T70R&wheelFinish=Silver +w%2FPolished+Lip&showRear=no&autoMake=Chevrolet&a utoModel=Corvette&autoYear=1969&autoModClar=&filte rSize=All&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&fil terBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand)

and may just go with some BFG Radial T/A's with the letters turned in. I prefer these rims to the Torque Thrusts due to the fact that these rims have a polished outer rim. I really don't like the full polished Torque Thrusts.

[Salvatore]

They are the style I mean Dave. I don't like the full polished wheels either. Those are nice and so are the TTO's. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[MosportGreen66]

Dave,

An old teacher of mine once gave me an original photo of her brother's '69 fathom green bbc Corvette. It was a coupe with side pipes, raised white letters and slots. I think you'll really like the look. I'll have sometime tonight to post it for you.

Dan

[PxTx]

I think the 200's look great on a 'Vette! It has a timeless look and will never be out of style.

I would rather buy an old set of these than anything new.

http://www.speedandmotion.com/pictures/vintagecarcollection2005/slides/DSC_1276.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/features/2001/Motion7.jpg

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the 200's look great on a 'Vette! It has a timeless look and will never be out of style.

I would rather buy an old set of these than anything new.

http://www.speedandmotion.com/pictures/vintagecarcollection2005/slides/DSC_1276.jpg

http://www.yenko.net/features/2001/Motion7.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Not to get off the subject but, do you have any more information on that Riverside Gold L88? When I was younger there was a guy who would come down every summer who had a similar car. He was from Maryland and I always thought the car was just a 427 'Vette with an L88 sticker on the hood. I thought that because he also had a '73 455 Trans Am that he added SD-455 decals to the scoop.

[PxTx]

I just pulled the pic form a quick search for "Otis Chandler corvettes" but don't know anything about it.

[TDW]

NOTHING over 15" wheels on it. Nothing!!!!!

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How about some vintage Torq's? Maybe some red line tires or RWL Polyglas?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I am going to go with the rims shown here

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelClos...&sort=Brand (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialP artNumber=T70R5861SPL&wheelMake=American+Racing+Au thentic+Hot+Rod&wheelModel=T70R&wheelFinish=Silver +w%2FPolished+Lip&showRear=no&autoMake=Chevrolet&a utoModel=Corvette&autoYear=1969&autoModClar=&filte rSize=All&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&fil terBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand)

and may just go with some BFG Radial T/A's with the letters turned in. I prefer these rims to the Torque Thrusts due to the fact that these rims have a polished outer rim. I really don't like the full polished Torque Thrusts.

[/ QUOTE ]

Those in 15-inch, say, 7 front and 8/8.5 rear with T/As would look great.

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How about some vintage Torq's? Maybe some red line tires or RWL Polyglas?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I am going to go with the rims shown here

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelClos...&sort=Brand (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialP artNumber=T70R5861SPL&wheelMake=American+Racing+Au thentic+Hot+Rod&wheelModel=T70R&wheelFinish=Silver +w%2FPolished+Lip&showRear=no&autoMake=Chevrolet&a utoModel=Corvette&autoYear=1969&autoModClar=&filte rSize=All&filterFinish=All&filterSpecial=false&fil terBrand=All&filterNew=All&sort=Brand)

and may just go with some BFG Radial T/A's with the letters turned in. I prefer these rims to the Torque Thrusts due to the fact that these rims have a polished outer rim. I really don't like the full polished Torque Thrusts.

[/ QUOTE ]

Those in 15-inch, say, 7 front and 8/8.5 rear with T/As would look great.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I was thinking; this discussion / feedback has been very helpful.

[1railman]

I agree nothing over 15. Like the idea of daisys, maybe with some Mickey Thompson "I block" tires.

[Dave Rifkin]

Here is where I am so far;

American Racing T70 (15 x 7 front, 15 x 8 rear)

BFG Radial TA's 255/60-15 for the rear and I was thinking of putting either 225/60's or 235/60's on the front. The issue I am having is the stock size 225/70-15's would have a diameter of 27.3". The 255's have a listed diamter of 27.1" (close enough); should I be concerned with the diamter of the fronts? The 225's have a listed diameter of 25.6" and the 235's have a listed diamter of 26.1"
I don't want the speedometer to be way off with the varying tire diameters.

I think if I can get this figured out I can pull the trigger and order my new rim/tire combination this weekend.

[Salvatore]

make sure with the offset on the rims the front tires don't rub. 27" on the front of a 69 camaro with a rim less than 4" of backspacing seem to rub/hit the wheel well. A vette may have more room.

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
make sure with the offset on the rims the front tires don't rub. 27" on the front of a 69 camaro with a rim less than 4" of backspacing seem to rub/hit the wheel well. A vette may have more room.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think I should be okay; the '68 Corvettes came from the factory with 7" rims and I think they used an F70-15. I am hoping that using the 15 x7 with a 4" BS should maintain that stock fitment.
I want to be really careful with my selections since it's not a cheap investment and I doubt that these tings are returnable.

Thanks for the heads up.

[olredalert]

------Not trying to change your mind so much as inquire why you would put a narrower wheel on the front than your Corvette came with, at least in 69??? There is no difference between 68s and 69s anywhere as far as clearance is concerned. I have put more sets of aftermarket wheels on Corvettes than most and over the years I have migrated to 8s or 8 and a halfs all the way around. Depending on your tire choice you definetly wont have any problems with clearance. The 8s also give your car that road-racing flair that I kind of like on a Corvette. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif.......Bill S

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
------Not trying to change your mind so much as inquire why you would put a narrower wheel on the front than your Corvette came with, at least in 69??? There is no difference between 68s and 69s anywhere as far as clearance is concerned. I have put more sets of aftermarket wheels on Corvettes than most and over the years I have migrated to 8s or 8 and a halfs all the way around. Depending on your tire choice you definetly wont have any problems with clearance. The 8s also give your car that road-racing flair that I kind of like on a Corvette. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif.......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Just thought it might give the car a different, more muscular look.I really love the look of the August 2003 Feature car and hoped that that combo would get me close.
I wish I knew what that car's set up was.

Maybe I should stick with 15 x 8 all around with 255's in the rear and 235's in the front?

[markjohnson]

The Gold '69 L-88 Roadster with the American Racing 200S Daisys pictured earlier in this thread is as tough as tough gets! That's the look I'd personally be going for!

[MosportGreen66]

Sorry for the delay, Dave. Here is the photo I referenced before.

Dan

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/mosportgreen66/_DSC0103.jpg

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry for the delay, Dave. Here is the photo I referenced before.

Dan


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/mosportgreen66/_DSC0103.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow Dan that car does look nice with that set up. I also like that color; is that Donnybrooke green?

[RPO LS7]

Radir http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

http://www.radirwheels.com/100_0338(2).jpg

[SmallHurst]

You know my take... Rims plus the vintage look of the reproduction tires. If you want the Goodyears, let me know!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
------Not trying to change your mind so much as inquire why you would put a narrower wheel on the front than your Corvette came with, at least in 69??? There is no difference between 68s and 69s anywhere as far as clearance is concerned. I have put more sets of aftermarket wheels on Corvettes than most and over the years I have migrated to 8s or 8 and a halfs all the way around. Depending on your tire choice you definetly wont have any problems with clearance. The 8s also give your car that road-racing flair that I kind of like on a Corvette. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif.......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, now that I read Bill's post I think 8s all around would look better than "big-n-littles." Plus, you can rotate the tires every few years!

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
------Not trying to change your mind so much as inquire why you would put a narrower wheel on the front than your Corvette came with, at least in 69??? There is no difference between 68s and 69s anywhere as far as clearance is concerned. I have put more sets of aftermarket wheels on Corvettes than most and over the years I have migrated to 8s or 8 and a halfs all the way around. Depending on your tire choice you definetly wont have any problems with clearance. The 8s also give your car that road-racing flair that I kind of like on a Corvette. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif.......Bill S

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, now that I read Bill's post I think 8s all around would look better than "big-n-littles." Plus, you can rotate the tires every few years!

[/ QUOTE ]

I appreciate all of the input and ideas; my ultimate goal would be to get the rim / tire package seen on the August 2003 Feature car or the package that is on the 1969 Corvette that was used in the old BF Goodrich ads (you know the '69 Big Block that was painted Ford Grabber Blue). Both of those cars just do it for me; I have inquired about both cars in the past but have never been able to find out what rim / tire package they are running.

Anyway, that gives you an idea of how I ultimately want my car to look.

[Dave Rifkin]

Well I finally made the decision and the new rims / tires arrived yesterday. I couldn't wait to get them on the car; I think they look great and change the whole attitude of the car.

[SmallHurst]

Pictures please!!!!

[Dave Rifkin]

can't seem to resize the pictures so they are small enough to post

[Dave Rifkin]

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss146/oneida100/Corvettes%20together/DSC00479.jpg

[Dave Rifkin]

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss146/oneida100/Corvettes%20together/DSC00483.jpg

[olredalert]

-----Dave,,,That look is outstanding. It appears that you went with all 8s or 8 and a halfs, correct???........Bill S

[Dave Rifkin]

all 15 x 8 with 4" backspacing; wheels are 235 / 60 for the fronts and 255 / 60's on the rear.

[Postsedan]

Great decision, very nice choice.

Dan

[sixtiesmuscle]

Before you pull the trigger on a set of the new T70s, I just tried one on my '69 Vette & they won't clear the caliper without a spacer. I think the originals have a deeper cutout for clearance. It seems like the only new ones that will work are the "D"s.

[Dave Rifkin]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sixtiesmuscle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Before you pull the trigger on a set of the new T70s, I just tried one on my '69 Vette &amp; they won't clear the caliper without a spacer. I think the originals have a deeper cutout for clearance. It seems like the only new ones that will work are the &quot;D&quot;s. </div></div>

Check the pictures above; they are the T70R's and they clear my calipers just fine. They are 15 x 8 with a 4&quot; backspacing

[sixtiesmuscle]

They look great. The sample I got to test did not have the same spoke contour inside. I'll have to check further.

[Dave Rifkin]

I got them from Newstalgia Wheel; very nice to deal with and priced fairly.