I am starting to look at getting tires for the 66. It currently has 15" with wires on it from a couple of decades newer, and even thought I'm not driving it I'm tired of the "new" look those wires give.
I want to put 14" on with the stock GP covers but man, what a challenge. 14" is basically obsolete. Best thing I seem to come up with for close to stock look is a 225 70 14. What have you guys run for 14" on your 65-70 B body cars.
And before you suggest it, NO, 15" is not an option for me! I want to run those stock wheel covers.
P225 /70R-14 ae your biggest I personally would only run 14 inch on a trailer queen here what the car will "sit like"
LandShark68_2+2 said
Feb 23, 2012
Hi,
My goal of putting the 215/75/R14's on was to make it look original. And I found that if I went any larger, then I couldn't get a whitewall, only letters. Here's a pic of my tires. Then do look a little thin.
Blackheart4355 said
Feb 23, 2012
Carl,
I'd go with the Firehawks...and I believe they were factory eqquipped on the TA "Firehawk" so there is a Pontiac connection...
427carl said
Feb 23, 2012
I would have a original set (size) for some events, and some big meats on chrome for other events.....
65wagon said
Feb 23, 2012
hey carl what list originally for 66 855 75 14 good year power cushion, i still have one as a spare now i wore out the originals but they dont repro them yet, my rag still has 775 75 14 fire stones those they do repro i would personally go for a bias belt not bias ply they handle almost like radials and have the right look
427carl said
Feb 23, 2012
65wagon wrote:
hey carl what list originally for 66 855 75 14 good year power cushion, i still have one as a spare now i wore out the originals but they dont repro them yet, my rag still has 775 75 14 fire stones those they do repro i would personally go for a bias belt not bias ply they handle almost like radials and have the right look
Its amazing we all have different views, and a good thing...
I sold tires from 1971 to 2006 So I have, seen a lot, in the business...
The day I put Bias ply, non radials,on will be the day, some the new owner paid me, and drove away....
66 Grande guy said
Feb 23, 2012
Hey Carl you'd better get a few spares as I think their life will be short and brutal with the horsepower you'll be herding. You might lay in a few spare wheel covers too if you take any corners kind of hard.
Hopefully not too hard to find. ( I still kind of need two myself)
65wagon said
Feb 23, 2012
i didnt say bias ply thats only for show, bias belts are almost like radials and the modern technology helps them out, they are alot better today than 40 years ago, to me radials are too soft but it all depends on what you are doing, if i auto cross radials, criusing and looking original bias belts work, and you are right i would not put bias plys on anything i drive regularly
4SPEED427 said
Feb 23, 2012
I am looking for "cushy" so I am convinced it will be radials. That is one area I don't concern myself with total originality. Size wise I like it to be close, composition is a different story.
I am liking the look of the Firehawk and I've read good reports on it online too.
4SPEED427 said
Feb 23, 2012
427carl wrote:
P225 /70R-14 ae your biggest I personally would only run 14 inch on a trailer queen here what the car will "sit like"
Larry (seller) thinks that car has not been lowered but the GP's I've owned certainly never sat that low.
66 Grande guy said
Feb 23, 2012
OH ITS BEEN LOWERED! (or the springs are totally shot)
seventy2plus2 said
Feb 24, 2012
Carl, as you live quite close to the border, is there savings to be had by shipping tires to the US side, then pick them up and bring them back for mounting?
beaumontguru said
Feb 24, 2012
I would strongly recomend a 75 series, you want a comfy ride. Tallest sidewalls are the way to go for a stock look without going to a biasply restoration tire.
Cooper trendsetter has alot of 14", i think they still have a 225/75r14 and a 215/75r14. either would be suitable, i would not go any smaller than that. I think they might even have a white stripe still too.
Anything smaller on that car would look like a circus-mobile. Its gotta have a tall tire like the originals to look proper.
Motomaster AW+ also had a 215/75r14 but i think it is dicontinued now.
Terible sign of the times isnt it!!!!!!!!!!!
4SPEED427 said
Feb 24, 2012
I can't believe how tough it is to find a 14" tire!
And yes, I suspect I will be shopping US side after making some calls today. Availability here is poor...
4SPEED427 said
Feb 24, 2012
I saw Hercules but shied away as that name for tires is new to me.
im gonna pick these up tomorrow mornin for my wifes 67 nova what a deal!
4SPEED427 said
Feb 24, 2012
Wow, that IS a steal..
timbuk said
Feb 24, 2012
yea wait till the tireguy sees them he wanted 300 for old 2156014 t/as used!
427carl said
Feb 24, 2012
65wagon wrote:
to bad you cant put a 14 center in a 15 inch hoop would make life easier, even finding a decent 15 whte wall in a 235 is get hard
If you have a 14 inch centre in a 15 inch "hoop"
you would still have a 235/60 x15
which is larger than a 235/60 x14
or .... explain it to me again?
-- Edited by 427carl on Friday 24th of February 2012 11:15:10 PM
CdnGMfan said
Feb 24, 2012
I wanted the correct size and look on my 67 Chevelle when replacing the tires. It was rolling on replacement E78-14 Firestone Deluxe Champions when I got it and had 1 original 7.35-14 14 Firestone Deluxe Champion as a spare. I took them it to a Firestone store and bought radials that look like the originals but are vastly superior. They are P195/75R14 size Firestone model FR480. They directly correspond back to F78-14 to 7.75-14 sizes, the correct optional size for my car. Unfortunately that was 20 years ago. My radials only have about 5000 miles on them but are 20 years old. They have been sitting in the dark, pumped up hard, but time is not on their side.
I do remember seeing similar Firestone FR380 tires on the Internet within the last 2 years. They were offered in 75 series in a limited number of sizes. I cant seem to find them now, and that is what counts.
Here 's a picture of my car with the stock looking replacement radials, evidently unavailable now:
427carl said
Feb 25, 2012
The FR480 was great for older cars and of course they are not produced now
65wagon said
Feb 25, 2012
to bad you cant put a 14 center in a 15 inch hoop would make life easier, even finding a decent 15 whte wall in a 235 is get hard
4SPEED427 said
Feb 25, 2012
I know, I've been trying to figure out how to attach my 14" covers to a 15" rim....
427carl said
Feb 25, 2012
easy 1/4 inch bolts and nuts
65wagon said
Feb 25, 2012
not the answer i wanted to hear, i wanna have my cake and my cookies at the same time
P225 /70R-14 ae your biggest I personally would only run 14 inch on a trailer queen here what the car will "sit like"
Hi,
My goal of putting the 215/75/R14's on was to make it look original.
And I found that if I went any larger, then I couldn't get a whitewall, only letters. Here's a pic of my tires. Then do look a little thin.
I'd go with the Firehawks...and I believe they were factory eqquipped on the TA "Firehawk" so there is a Pontiac connection...
I would have a original set (size) for some events, and some big meats on chrome for other events.....
hey carl what list originally for 66 855 75 14 good year power cushion, i still have one as a spare now i wore out the originals but they dont repro them yet, my rag still has 775 75 14 fire stones those they do repro i would personally go for a bias belt not bias ply they handle almost like radials and have the right look
Its amazing we all have different views, and a good thing...
I sold tires from 1971 to 2006 So I have, seen a lot, in the business...
The day I put Bias ply, non radials,on will be the day, some the new owner paid me, and drove away....
Hey Carl you'd better get a few spares as I think their life will be short and brutal with the horsepower you'll be herding. You might lay in a few spare wheel covers too if you take any corners kind of hard.
Hopefully not too hard to find. ( I still kind of need two myself)
i didnt say bias ply thats only for show, bias belts are almost like radials and the modern technology helps them out, they are alot better today than 40 years ago, to me radials are too soft but it all depends on what you are doing, if i auto cross radials, criusing and looking original bias belts work, and you are right i would not put bias plys on anything i drive regularly
I am liking the look of the Firehawk and I've read good reports on it online too.
Larry (seller) thinks that car has not been lowered but the GP's I've owned certainly never sat that low.
OH ITS BEEN LOWERED! (or the springs are totally shot)
Carl, as you live quite close to the border, is there savings to be had by shipping tires to the US side, then pick them up and bring them back for mounting?
I would strongly recomend a 75 series, you want a comfy ride. Tallest sidewalls are the way to go for a stock look without going to a biasply restoration tire.
Cooper trendsetter has alot of 14", i think they still have a 225/75r14 and a 215/75r14. either would be suitable, i would not go any smaller than that. I think they might even have a white stripe still too.
Anything smaller on that car would look like a circus-mobile. Its gotta have a tall tire like the originals to look proper.
Motomaster AW+ also had a 215/75r14 but i think it is dicontinued now.
Terible sign of the times isnt it!!!!!!!!!!!
And yes, I suspect I will be shopping US side after making some calls today. Availability here is poor...
http://www.usedcourtenaycomox.com/classified-ad/Set-of-4-Hankook-IPike-RC01-Tires_16783066
im gonna pick these up tomorrow mornin for my wifes 67 nova what a deal!
If you have a 14 inch centre in a 15 inch "hoop"
you would still have a 235/60 x15
which is larger than a 235/60 x14
or .... explain it to me again?
-- Edited by 427carl on Friday 24th of February 2012 11:15:10 PM
I wanted the correct size and look on my 67 Chevelle when replacing the tires. It was rolling on replacement E78-14 Firestone Deluxe Champions when I got it and had 1 original 7.35-14 14 Firestone Deluxe Champion as a spare. I took them it to a Firestone store and bought radials that look like the originals but are vastly superior. They are P195/75R14 size Firestone model FR480. They directly correspond back to F78-14 to 7.75-14 sizes, the correct optional size for my car. Unfortunately that was 20 years ago. My radials only have about 5000 miles on them but are 20 years old. They have been sitting in the dark, pumped up hard, but time is not on their side.
I do remember seeing similar Firestone FR380 tires on the Internet within the last 2 years. They were offered in 75 series in a limited number of sizes. I cant seem to find them now, and that is what counts.
Here 's a picture of my car with the stock looking replacement radials, evidently unavailable now:
The FR480 was great for older cars and of course they are not produced now
to bad you cant put a 14 center in a 15 inch hoop would make life easier, even finding a decent 15 whte wall in a 235 is get hard
easy 1/4 inch bolts and nuts
not the answer i wanted to hear, i wanna have my cake and my cookies at the same time