radial tires/stock rims: what series?

[Guest Zach Roberts]

Hi there,

I'm replacing the 6.00x16 bias plys on my '41 coupe with radials. Most folks over at the Pilothouse forum use 215 85 R16's, but I think my coupe would look a little funny with those tall, skinny truck tires. I would like to try a 205 or 215 (or even 225) in a 70 or 75 series, if they will fit safely on the rims.

Any advice or recommendations? What fits, and what looks good?

Thanks,

Zach

[BobT-47P15]

Zach....some people are using the 205-15s, some the 215 in either a 70 or 75 series. But they have 15 inch rims. It seems as if the 225 or 235 can cause a clearance problem, mainly in the rear. So if you use the 16s then the 205 or 215 in that type. At this point you can either go blackwall or narrow white stripe.

[james curl]

I am using 205 75 15 which are close to the original 670 15 that were stock on the car.

[Dennis Hemingway]

I am using the P 205 75 R15 tires on my stock 48 Plymouth rims.

Dennis

[Norm's Coupe]

You can get wide whites in a radial for our cars in both 16 or 15" tires from Coker Tire. That's if you want to pop for about $160 per tire.

[greg g]

I went with 205 75 R 15's on my car. My speedo reads nearly 6 mph faster than road speed. When I get my Studebaker truck ready for shoes, I am going to run 15's on it also. So what I am going to do is run 205 on the front, and 225 on the rear. When I get those tires, I am going to get a pair of 215's to run on the back of the Plymouth (the plumouth will donate a pair of 205's to the Stude) Hopefully these taller ones ont he rear will correct the Speedo error ar at least come closer. I like the looks of the 75 series on my car. I think the 70's are a bit to wide for the period look. I have a set of Mirada alloy rims with 235 75 15's, I test fit them on the rear and they fit just barely. Had to jack the car up and lever the axle down to get them over the axle and past the fender cut out. Once on there was clearence the looked OK but I decided not to push it. at the front they rubbed at sterring lock and there was about 1/8 clearence between the tire and the tierod end. Boiled down I guess this mean my recomendation is to use a 215 75 on 15 inch rims.

(mine came with 16's but I swaped them for some new smoothies from wheel vintiques as to of them were suspect after sanblasting)

[Brad Lustig]

I went with 75 series to get a look closer to bias ply. Dodge, so my size won't help you much. I'm one of the dumdums that bought the wide whites from Coker. I think they were around $140 each when I bought them. Yes, it hurt, but glad I did it. Diamond Back is another source for the wide whites, usually a couple bucks cheaper. I THINK they have 16" as well.

[Reg Evans]

I went with Diamond Back radial wide whites on my 42 Coupe. 750/16 rear and 700/16 front. When I win the lottery I will re do with 700/16 rear and 650/16 front. Lots of road clearance and low engine rpm's now though:eek: .

[Guest Zach Roberts]

Thanks for all the help!!!

Right now, it looks like the cheapie option is a set of Uniroyals. The 215/70R16's are $73 at WMT and have a decent reputation and warranty.

The trick with these, and a lot of the other tires I've seen, is they are only recommended for 5.5" to 7" rim widths. Am I asking for trouble if I try to mount them on 4.5" rims? (that's what the factory rims were in the 40's, right?)

Maybe I'll carry a rim (and a screw-on valve stem) down to the low-price jungle and let them give it a try. Sound like a plan?

[BobT-47P15]

I used some radials that came off a mid 70s Toronado (205x15s) for a while a few years ago. Did not have any problems with them on the narrow rims. I don't think they make any current tires actually designed for the skinny wheels.

[greg g]

might want to go with a 75 series tire as they are a bit narrower than the 70's, and closer to the original tires diameter.

[Rodger S-11]

Hola All

I use 205 x 75 x 15's since they were the same diam as the ole style tires that where on the car when I purchased the car. They also fit in the spare tire tub and the 75's will permit you to carry or tow better than any 70 series tyre.

Rodger & Gabby

COS