About to order rims & tires, need to double-check.

[PT Goat]

Finally going to bite the bullet and order the Intro Vistas I've been craving for years. These will be going on the '65 GTO in my signature. I've read just about every thread there is (here and elsewhere) on sizing and fitment and I just want to double-check before ordering.

I'm planning on being relatively conservative: 17x7s up from, 4.5" backspacing, and 18x8 in the rear, 5" backspacing. That's with Baers, and thus an additional .25" of track width per side. Sound okay?

For tires, I really wanted the BFG g-force sports, but they don't seem to have the profiles/height that I need. The Goodyear F1 Gs-D3s have all the combos I am considering, so I am planning on going with those in custom redlines.

I'm torn between 235/50/17 (26.3") and 255/45/18 (27.1") versus 235/45/17 (25.3") and 255/40/18 (26"). I'd like to have the extra sidewall and ride height, but I already chose my rear end gear, and speedo is calibrated for a 26" tall rear tire. No big deal, but something to consider. Thoughts?

[gearheads78]

Does you car have the wide or narrow rear? With the wide rear in my 66 I used to have 18 x 8 / 18 x 7 with 4.5 in both with the stock drum brakes. IMO 255-40 is too short for a back tire. I was running the 255-45-18. You should have a good bit of room for error since you are staying small. I ordered mine today. I'm not going quite a conserative as you. I spent most of the day Sunday measuring every corner with supension in different positions. I refuse to cut the car at all but will be squeezing 285-40-18 under mine. Talk about 11 lbs of stuff in a 10 lb bag. :hand:

[PT Goat]

Car has the stock '65 rear (narrower), but the brakes add .5" to the overall width. I tried to take that into account when coming up with the 5" BS for the rear. Most '64-5 A-bodies seem to be running 4.75" BS with 8" wheels, so I added the .25" per side to come up with 5".

As for tire size, I've got the car about as low as NJ roads will allow. I frankly don't know whether that means I'll need a smaller tire for more suspension clearance, or a taller tire for more ground clearance. I guess there are good reasons for either choice.

FWIW, I'm currently using a 215/65/15 (26") and it seems about right.