Wheels & Tires = Pro touring?

[1LIVEF85]

okay so I am trying to build a 1965 F85 Cutlass. I have a set of 14x8 & 15x10 centerline wheels. i want to use these with wide tires & a low stance.
with only 2" drop spindles up front how wide can I go? the rear is tricky cause my wheels are 5"back spacing on a 12bolt rearend.

In short what would be a recommended tire size for this car?

[HI!]

I just went thru this myself. Try to find a performance street tire in 15inch. I just bought some 16s off craigs list, as they were cheap and easier to still find tires. I think 17s are the minimum for good tire selection anymore. Now if your drag racing, they have all kinds of 15 tires.

[vintageracer]

About the only tire left with any large sizes in 15 tires are BF Goodrich Radial T/A's. They still offer the 295/50-15 and 265/50-15 but who know for how long.

The largest 14 inch tire made is a 245/60-14 and you can bet that size is not long for this world!

Time for you to move out of the stone age and into a modern PT size tire that is 17 inches or larger!

[muthstryker]

Most "Pro-Touring" Cars are running 17"+ wheels to clear bigger brakes... Time for you to step up to a bigger size.

[rockytopper]

I'm running 255 45 VR 17 nittos. 25.95 dia x 10.08 wide on all 4 on my 65. Wheels are 17x8. My suspension is not stock and sense I don't no what rear end and width you have It will be difficult to help. I will say these cars like a 5 to 5.5 inch back space wheel to acheive maxium wheel tire sizes front and rear.

[1LIVEF85]

Thanks for all the help guys. I want some bigger wheels but I dont have the $$$ right now. Been eyeballing the black Cragar Super Soft 8"s... Right now I gots to finish some Bodywork on it. Anybody runnin anything 9"+ wide up front?

[High Plains Mopars]

I'd be reluctant to use a classic Centerline as a pro touring wheel. I seem to recall they always came with a big sticker right on the wheel that said they were not for use in autocross, sports, solo or road racing applications. If you don't plan on doing any of the above, they will suffice for a time, but you will need to update them at some point. If you do use them in the above applications, you may blow the center out of them at some point.

For actual size, I can't make a recommendation. You'll need to defer to some other similar generation A body users to get that info. I can say that in 15" tires the selection is slim, but I'd avoid BFG T/As. Their tread and carcass design is old and unyielding. There are offerings from Cooper, Mickey Thompson, Dean, and Maxxis that are more up to date and better performing.

The soft 8 wheels are out there and available cheaply in 17" sizes, but they also are very heavy. They will get you into the 17" playground, but their weight will impact performance. I've heard quotes saying they are around 30# per wheel, but I've never confirmed it myself.