hey guys, im new and hope to not ask a billion dumb questions but can't promise anything. I just bought a 1970 2Dr stratochief, seems like a kinda unusual car. Manual steering, manual drum brakes, radio delete, 350 with TH350 trans. Car has 50000k on it, two owners and it shows, drives better then my 08 charger, tight and quite, I gotta be honest and say i was never a fan of the front end styling but now that i own it it's growing on me. So two questions to start, the car has 15" 5 spoke american racing wheels on it now and i belive they are 6 or 7 inches wide. I was wondering how wide a tire i can run on the rear. I was hoping 255/60's but i suspect that's to much tire??? And next question, anyone tell me anything about this car by vin? 7543701133629, i know it's gold.....lol....thanks for any help you can give me
David. Ps, For a short term solution can i cut a coil or two out of the springs to get a couple inch drop. Yup i know it's not the right way and at some point i will do spindles but for the first summer im hoping someone answers yes....thanks again...
-- Edited by BYGDDY on Saturday 17th of October 2009 06:33:59 PM
69-Tin Indian said
Oct 17, 2009
Welcome to the website. Around here there's no such thing as a stupid question pally. The guys on here will tell you anything and everything you need to know or want to know. Did you go to the New Members section and sign in there? Once you do everyone will welcome you as well as give you the answers to everything you've posted in this section.
Beaumont4008 said
Oct 17, 2009
Welcome to the site from Winnipeg.
57poncho said
Oct 17, 2009
Welcome aboard only thing I can give you some in put on is cutting the coils. It will possibly affect your ride and steering may also make tires wear unevenly. But saying that lots of guys do it. If you do decide to cut them only do 1 coil at a time. If 2 is to muck you can't put one back
57poncho said
Oct 17, 2009
The cowl tag will give you more info I think than the vin# its on the fire wall
BYGDDY said
Oct 17, 2009
Cool thanks, i will go look for it tommorow. Is a strato chief an odd ball or something? I hear about bonnie's, cat's etc but never these? Im aauming it's the same body stye as a Catalina?
67HEAVEN said
Oct 17, 2009
Strato Chief, Laurentian, Parisienne, Parisienne 2+2 -- Canadian cars based on Chevy chassis and drivetrain
Catalina, 2+2, Bonneville, Grandville -- American cars
CDN2PLS2 said
Oct 17, 2009
Sounded like a car I looked at yrs ago in an old garage,until you got to the colour. That one was Blue.Any Pics??
59poncho said
Oct 17, 2009
welcome to the site and it will be nice to not be the only one to ask dumb questions!!LOL these guys are great and there really is no stupid questions, we were all new to this hobby at one time or another and thats why this site exsists i think, to help eachother on our beautifull Canadian ponchos. I wish that some day i can help others as they have helped me. My car wouldent be on the road if it werent for them.
cdnpont said
Oct 17, 2009
Welcome to the site David. Sounds like a very good find.
255/70/15's on a 8 inch standard offset wheel (Rally) will fit on the back. On the front they may rub at full lock, 2' lower and they absolutely will.
Post a ton of pictures of the Strato' asap! We love pictures.
Again, welcome.
427carl said
Oct 17, 2009
Welcome to the site! Where are you located? P255/60R-15 will fit DO NOT CUT THE COILS DO NOT CUT THE COILS
BYGDDY said
Oct 17, 2009
Only drawback being the 255/60's are actually a tiny bit shorter then the 215 70's on the front, so that would look goofy, and teh 25570's woul dbe nearly a truck tire, way to tall...sigh...so now im not sure what to run, perhaps 235/70's in teh rear? I dunno...want a slight rake and teh big and little look.....Oh and yah i know i really shouldnt cut coils, i have preached the same thing for ever but i figure for one summer to get the 2" drop i want it will be ok, the following year will be doing a disk conversion with drop spindles....and not sure how to post pics, would love to tho
-- Edited by BYGDDY on Saturday 17th of October 2009 09:28:02 PM
427carl said
Oct 17, 2009
thats a lot of car to "drop" P275/60R-15 would do the "big tire little tire" look.. and fit on 7 inch rims (yes) Those cars look better in period correct stance.. my 2 cents
I would not cut the coils to quickly either. If you are set on it, I would sure not do 2 coils.
Oh, and welcome here, pictures please???!!!
BYGDDY said
Oct 17, 2009
427carl wrote:
thats a lot of car to "drop" P275/60R-15 would do the "big tire little tire" look.. and fit on 7 inch rims (yes) Those cars look better in period correct stance.. my 2 cents
i belive the rims on teh car are 6 or 6.5 inch, with teh 275's they recc at least a 7 inch wheel, will they mount on the 6.5 inch rim and do you think they will still fit? I hate trying to figure out tire sizing, never been good at it, and unfortunatly i like the wheels on teh car and don't really wanna change them...
427carl said
Oct 17, 2009
All SS454 Chevy trucks 90-93 had P27560R-15's in 7 inchs rims I have not seen too many 6.5 rims, but "I" can install them lol
Canadian Poncho said
Oct 17, 2009
You can send to GM Vintage Vehicle Services and get all the information on your Strato Chief (options, build date, selling dealer etc). CLICK HERE for more info. The Strato Chief was the base model full size Canadian Pontiac. The interior fabric and door panels are the same as the Chevy Biscayne (although I don't believe the Biscayne was available as a 2 door in 1970). The next model up is the Laurentian, next Parisienne, 2+2 and Grand Parisienne (I dont think I've ever seen a 70 GP though)
Todd
427carl said
Oct 17, 2009
69Laurentian wrote:
The Strato Chief was the base model full size Canadian Pontiac. The interior fabric and door panels are the same as the Chevy Biscayne (although I don't believe the Biscayne was available as a 2 door in 1970)
gparis7 said
Oct 18, 2009
On my 69 Parisienne, I run 225 70 R15 TA Radials on 15 by 8.5 Torque Thrust American Racing Wheels. No clearance problems front or rear.
Canadian Poncho said
Oct 18, 2009
Carlllllllll, thaaats a fake!
BYGDDY said
Oct 18, 2009
Thanks guys for all the input, i have the 275's already so im going to see if i can squeez them in once the car is down a couple of inches, looks like i may have to roll the fender lip a bit but im hoping that's all it takes...im going to attempt and post pics shortly...thanks again...
BYGDDY said
Oct 18, 2009
pics?
-- Edited by BYGDDY on Sunday 18th of October 2009 08:16:35 AM
427carl said
Oct 18, 2009
Todd 70 Chevy 2 door?? really?? looks original to me I better go check my car, maybe its not a 2 door
-- Edited by 427carl on Sunday 18th of October 2009 08:54:22 AM
427carl said
Oct 18, 2009
BYGDDY wrote:
Nice find!!! remove the MUD flaps and put them, on a cardboard box on your front lawn mark :free: on the box Doubles the value of a Strato Chief
4SPEED427 said
Oct 18, 2009
BYGDDY, that is a very cool looking car you got there. Unusual too!
hey guys, im new and hope to not ask a billion dumb questions but can't promise anything. I just bought a 1970 2Dr stratochief, seems like a kinda unusual car. Manual steering, manual drum brakes, radio delete, 350 with TH350 trans. Car has 50000k on it, two owners and it shows, drives better then my 08 charger, tight and quite, I gotta be honest and say i was never a fan of the front end styling but now that i own it it's growing on me. So two questions to start, the car has 15" 5 spoke american racing wheels on it now and i belive they are 6 or 7 inches wide. I was wondering how wide a tire i can run on the rear. I was hoping 255/60's but i suspect that's to much tire??? And next question, anyone tell me anything about this car by vin? 7543701133629, i know it's gold.....lol....thanks for any help you can give me
David.
Ps,
For a short term solution can i cut a coil or two out of the springs to get a couple inch drop. Yup i know it's not the right way and at some point i will do spindles but for the first summer im hoping someone answers yes....thanks again...
-- Edited by BYGDDY on Saturday 17th of October 2009 06:33:59 PM
Strato Chief, Laurentian, Parisienne, Parisienne 2+2 -- Canadian cars based on Chevy chassis and drivetrain
Catalina, 2+2, Bonneville, Grandville -- American cars
255/70/15's on a 8 inch standard offset wheel (Rally) will fit on the back.
On the front they may rub at full lock, 2' lower and they absolutely will.
Post a ton of pictures of the Strato' asap!
We love pictures.
Again, welcome.
-- Edited by BYGDDY on Saturday 17th of October 2009 09:28:02 PM
look.. and fit on 7 inch rims (yes) Those cars look better in period correct stance.. my 2 cents
Todd
-- Edited by BYGDDY on Sunday 18th of October 2009 08:16:35 AM
-- Edited by 427carl on Sunday 18th of October 2009 08:54:22 AM
Nice find!!! remove the MUD flaps and put them, on a cardboard box on your front lawn mark :free: on the box
Doubles the value of a Strato Chief 