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View Full Version : Community opinions on new wheels, please?



C38368
06-30-2014, 05:41 AM
Hey all,

I recently, formally, adopted what I have claimed as my car for the last 14 years :)

The guy who owned it before us did most of the work, back in the mid-to-late-90s. That work included the current rolling stock: 15x8" Centerline Autodrags (satin aluminum), with Goodyear Eagle GT IIs all around (235/60R15 up front and 275/69R15 in the rear). I've attached a picture for reference; just ignore the idiot posing behind the wheel ;)

At any rate, I'd like to get some better tires at some point soon. Nobody builds high performance tires in these sizes, unless you're looking for drag slicks. And I'm not looking for drag slicks, though I may install a set on these wheels someday. Regardless, better rubber will require larger wheels. That makes me a little sad, because I'm not too hot on that look for this car. At least, I don't think I am.

I'd like to keep that classic '60s feel going, which means I'm probably going to ultimately land on a set of shiny five-spokes of some kind. But what is really bothering me is the overall appearance: as you can kind of tell form the photo, the car has a pretty noticeable rake to it, which I like. The front tires are 26.1" tall, and the rears 28". I honestly don't know if the rake is all due to the tire height difference, or if the front end also sits lower than the rear. I know I'll have to step up to at least 16" wheels (BFG makes the g-Force Sport COMP 2 in a 255/50ZR16 size, which is 26.1" tall) to at least maintain the front ride height. I really can't find much of anything that's so tall as the rear, even for 20" wheels.

So, here's what it comes to: any of y'all have ideas on what I should be looking at? Both in terms of aesthetics, and performance? I'm hesitant to consider anything larger than 17", but my spatial reasoning isn't always that great, and I have no way of really telling how a given wheel/tire combo would look, other than what's currently on it.

Thanks in advance; sorry for the long-winded post, and obnoxiously massive photo.

Link to photo, because it's obnoxiously large to post in the body of the message (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KNarft5P_j4/U7FomNapxBI/AAAAAAAAEz0/RGe54gKn2HY/s800/DSCF5459.JPG).

raustinss
06-30-2014, 05:51 AM
As I'm sure your not rocking a pair of bell bottoms...time moves on...the 90's were a long time ago. Glad get at least some 18's your car will look and handle way better

C38368
06-30-2014, 06:16 AM
No, not rocking bell bottoms. Not old enough to have ever done that!

But to me, large wheels on a musclecar are evocative of a very specific use. They look great in the right context, on the right build of car. I'm just not sure that this is that kind of car, if you know what I'm saying? It's like trying to find that happy medium between bell bottoms and skinny jeans.

If anyone out there has a '68 with <19" wheels, I'd love to see a profile shot of it!

mikewoods
06-30-2014, 06:51 AM
There are still a lot of tire choices for a 17 inch wheel. Though some are diminishing, you can still get most popular tires in 245/45/17 and a 275/40/17. I have BFG g-Force Super Sport A/S on my car in those sizes are I'm happy with the performance on the street. I think a set of Boss 338s or Torque Thrusts would look great on your car.

C38368
07-01-2014, 02:56 PM
Having spent my day trawling through Google images, rather than reviewing files, I might be able to deal with 18" wheels. What I'd really like is to try to stay as true as possible to the 26.1"/28" diameters. It may be dated, but I love the stance! I can get close to the front size with 255/40/18 all around (26" OD), but that gives up width on the rear, plus the look. Alternatively, something like 235/45/18 and 275/45/18 (front/rear, respectively) would also work, and keep the current look and contact patches, but I can't seem to find a single line of (better) tires available in both those sizes.

Frustration!

I do love the Torq Thrusts. I don't care if those have been done to death or not. They're just so... right!

MCMLXIX
07-03-2014, 01:25 AM
17 is probably a better size if you dont want a low profile tire. There are older looking options in 17" (or 18") like rally, solid, trans am race style and salt flat styles to name a few.... some are cheaper than others...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

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Nicks67GTO
07-03-2014, 01:40 AM
If you want to keep the tire diameters close then look into a 245/45/18 {26.6"} front and a 265/50/18 {28.4"} rear. If you want more width in the rear since 68-72's can house larger tires, I think you can get a 295/45/18 {28.4"} rear to fit in there without issue but dont quote me.

Nitto555's come in these sizes. I'll probably be doing the 245/45/18 and 265/50/18 on billet specialties Mag G's for my GTO in the future. I like the taller sidewall and full wheel well look.

Nicks67GTO
07-03-2014, 01:46 AM
Whatever you decide make sure you have your brakes bought and that you mock them up before you do the measuring to fit the wheels. Also make sure you check to see if they will clear the inside of wheels you want. Brakes can push wheels in and out moving the track width and causing interference.

Formula43wheel
07-03-2014, 05:28 AM
18" front and rear. Tons of wheel style and tire options in a wide variety of prices. Good Luck!

BTW..those Centerlines are probably worth a few bucks still. Put them on Craigslist.

CampbellshotrodsAZ
07-03-2014, 10:07 AM
It's not a 69, but it's the same chassis. But here's a 71 I built for my uncle last year. I think these Chevelles swallow up 18's pretty nicely, and still allow a tall tire. I don't recall the exact tire sizes, but I know the rears were over 28" tall, I believe they were a 285. Fronts weren't as low as 26", probably around 27" I think. Still plenty of tire, offered better grip but enough sidewall to ride nicely, with no rubbing at all.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s26.photobucket.com/user/blazinred87/media/71%20Chevelle%20SS454/DelMar067_zps8d3af124.jpg.html)

C38368
07-06-2014, 01:36 PM
Thanks all, for the replies.

I'm not sure where I'm going with brakes yet. I've got the old-guard standard 12" B-body conversion up front, with the factory drums in the rear. I will definitely keep that in mind, however, before I sink too much into this.

Regarding the Nittos, they'll keep me happy? Tires are entirely too subjective to not test, but entirely too expensive to test. I do like the catalogue of 555 sizes, however, especially if I can land 28"+ rears that are that wide!

Campbells~ Just to make sure I understand, that '71 is on 18" wheels? They fill the wheel wells nicely...

And as for the Centerlines... I'll probably keep them, and then do something silly, like wrap them in drag radials. Because, slicks.

CampbellshotrodsAZ
07-07-2014, 09:39 AM
Correct. Boss Motorsports 338s. 18x8 in the front, 18x9.5 in the back. I had the Nitto NT555's on this car as well, loved them. Also a beautiful looking tire. I am pretty sure the rears were 285/40's.