Just wondering what anybody else is running under their cat to hug the road. I currently have 14 inch wheels with 215 / 75’s front and back but have seen some nice shots of verts running 235/60/15 front and 245/60/15 backs for example but was noted that anything larger than 225’s may need fender and or quarter mods and i’m not interested in doing that. I like the Magnum 500 look as well as the keystone classic look.
Same size wheels/tires (and even the XR-7 wheels covers) as you at present; but I’ve heard that 235’s are more likely possible if you’ve got new or re-arched springs in back and don’t plan on putting at lot of weight in the trunk. Looking to eventually go with 16’s or even 17’s at some point, if only to clear the brakes I’d like to put on her.
With modern brakes (and ABS); cars a lot heavier than ours are being hauled down to a stop a lot faster than ours - might be time to enter into the 21st century as far as going “WHOA!”
Definitely not looking for 1/2" sidewalls. 22" wheels and “spinnaz”; so I don’t plan on going bigger than 17’s. Besides, really good (meaning pricey) tires are becoming hard to find for 15" diameter wheels; and 14" sizes are getting to be unobtainium.
I’ve got 235/60/14’s on mine and am really happy with the proportions. I’m not a huge fan of my rims (aftermarket), but they’re what came on the car when I bought it and I have grown to at the very least tolerate them if not be alright with them.
I have dreams of new wheels, down the road, and the part of me that loves the look and posture of an oldschool muscle car wants to move to 235/70/15’s all around. Probably run into some problems there, I think that’s pushing a little too far. But man do I love the look of meaty tires.
Oh and I too am a fan of the magnum 500’s. They’re one of my first choices, as far as looks go.
Swapping the wheels are really low on my priority list, as I have other less aesthetic things to focus on. But I know that when I hit the point where my tread’s too low and I need new tires, it’s gonna be a really hard decision, to pick whatever are the best 14" tires I can find and keep the rims I don’t really love, or make the move and go to 15’s or 16’s for the long haul. To me 16’s are already big enough that the proportioning is getting out of balance. But I might end up going that far if it looks like 15’s are gonna be phased out completely. As it stands, there are still production cars out there running 15’s, so they’re not gonna go away completely anytime soon. But the question of finding better than mediocre tires isn’t something I look forward to putting hard thought into, though I know I will, all too soon.
Oh and fwiw, mines a 68, not a 73. So different proportions all around, really.
Thanks for the clarification on the 2nd post tmh lol. While the look of the 14’s with whitewalls and wire basket hubcaps is ok its not really sitting with me all that well. My 75 had the magnum look wheels with “beauty” rims so I like the look, but on my 67 I put keystones so its a coin toss. I think i’m going to settle with 225/60/15’s all around but the wheels are still undecided, leaning towards the 500’s for the stock look. Still got good rubber on the 14’s so its on the next list,just don’t know what “next” item is getting done first.
Well DesertDawg, your 235’s bring up a good question. I hadnt planned on "but I’ve heard that 235’s are more likely possible if you’ve got new or re-arched springs in back and don’t plan on putting at lot of weight in the trunk. " and I don’t plan on carrying a ton of stuff in the trunk or passengers in the back seat. From a side view I can see the tread on the top of the tires currently on the front and almost the top of the tread on the rears.(Obviously I had to think about your post for awhile) so while I had read about rearching I didnt think I was in need yet. Maybe thats why the WCC website says running 225’s has no issues. While I would like to keep the car as stock as possible, I do need those few little personal touch’s, wheels tires, cd player, etc. I am torn between the Magnums and Keystones, I had stock magnum style on my 75 and remember the black centers faded after time, yet on my 67 I had the keystones and they stayed bright. With a black vert the last thing I want is faded centers. I’m not running out tomorrow (maybe) to get the tires but trying to do as much research as possible prior. Thanks for adding your thoughts. 