Tyre size for c3

[Philip]

Hi guys
I have a76 vette recently purchased and have 265 x 50 x 15 tyres on what I think are standard rims I recently replaced handbrake cable to rear brakes. I now have the tyres rubbing on the brake cable.I have to replace all tyres due to the age and condition of these. Can you give me a decent tyre size to get that will fit without rubbing as I'm not an expert on tyres and don't want to purchase something that will give me a problem. Thanks

[MY081]

Hi Philip. The Standard size for a C3 is 235x60x15 Front and 255x60x15 Rear. Some people shoe horn 255x60x15 on the Front  . Hope this helps .Ray

[Philip]

Thanks Ray
Wasn't sure whether the 255's were still too big but I'll give them a go, if they still rub the brake cable I'll do something to prevent that. Cheers

[sirfixalot]

255 60 15 should be fine on the rear are the wheels alloys or rally wheels ? Handbrake cable bracket can be relocated to top of trailing arm. The metal bracket is available as a replacement part. I personally like 245 60 15 as can run a lot of castor on front without rubbing in back of guards. 245 60 15 tyres are available from tempe tyres for $161 fitted and are nice and quiet on highway at speed have had them on car for a year now with no complaint

[Philip]

Thankyou Sirfixalot
What brand of tyre do you run, my current ones are Goodrich TA. on Rally wheels, I'll keep the cable bracket in mind. I will get some prices up here in Newcastle. I'm sure I will be pestering you guys quite a lot in the coming months. The car being RHD certainly presents a lot of challenges from dash to hood locks. Just a note to let you know that from my last post regarding bumper covers I managed to track down Simon Taylor in Qld and he is currently making the covers for me at a reasonable price, thanks again.

[sirfixalot]

Galaxy Radial Gt they have a higher speed rating than BF Goodrich and also a higher load rating. RHD questions can usually answer have converted a couple of cars so have come across most problems

[Philip]

Thanks again. That's good news concerning RHD problems. I still have many questions and will be in touch as I go along on this journey. Cheers

[JackRussel]

I read here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-tech-performance/675398-tires-bp
People use different tires: 245/60/15, 255/60/15, 235/60/15, and even exotic options like 295/50/15

I'm not giving advice, I'm just sharing information about options and problems with them. It might be helpful to someone.

[Philip]

Thanks
I'll choose a size after some further discussion, Cheers

[stingray]

I run 255/60/ 15 BF Goodrich TA/ Radials on standard corvette wheels, when I bought the car 20  years ago they had 225 too skinny

[Philip]

Hi Stingray
Thanks for your input as well, I'm leaning towards 255 on rear and maybe 245 on the front at this stage.

[Vettech]

73 thru 77 are basically steel Rally wheels fitted with GR70-15 tyres.
However in 73 a cast alloy wheel was available but was " hecco en mexio" - and because of flaws was discontinued.

The tyre coding changed and your car would from factory most likey have steel rally wheels now fitted with P255/70-15 Goodyears.
I believe you could option for 60% profile tyres, and white lines &/or lettering.

From 78 onward Rally wheels were std, but the Alloys returned after the casting flaws were fixed, and were options 78 ~ 82.

My 78 has 15" Rallies and 255's all round, but is a stock setup. Ergo there are no issues with 60 or 70% profile tyres, they clear, drive and handle as good as any 78 car can do.

That's actually a lie, the 78 has 255' rear and 225 (ex "Stingray's) on the front, don't ask its a long story, but that combination makes the car look like its ducking down in the front to get under the limbo stick.

I know a person, who has a set of Rallies with 255's fitted !?. In fact there may be a set of S/S trim rings & caps. The tyres are Waaay tooo old and RS, but for static display, they'd fill the bill.

[Philip]

Yep thanks for the info. I think I will keep the rally rims instead of alloys and I was going to get my rims sandblasted and painted but I have not gotten a price for that yet. Maybe if its too expensive I may just see about another set of rims. Probably stick with the 255s x 60. Thanks

[MY081]

Maybe get a price from a powder coating company, they sand blast then powder coat great finish. I have always found them reasonably priced . Ray

[Philip]

Thanks Ray, I'll check it out

[sirfixalot]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised cost to sandblast and powder coat all you need to do is find a company doing a run on silver. I have had trailing arms done with all the brackets,hub etc in black for $90 a side

[Philip]

Thanks sounds good.

[Vettech]

With the rubber off the rims, a good scrub, light sand if required, etch/primer and a spray tin of Wheel Silver and once the trim rings and caps go on - they look great.

[Philip]

Thanks for that. My rims were painted red with 2 pack paint and are chipped pretty bad.