1966 GTO Tire/Wheel combo.

[Droolguy]

Hey everyone, sorry for my first post being a question but no joke... I just bought a 66' GTO a day ago, my father drove it a hundred miles and one of the tires blew-out.

We have some standard econo-rubber on it right now so that we can get back to the house.

I want to put some Nittos on all four corners, but panicked forum searches lead to mixed reviews as to what will fit.

I want to go as wide as possible without rubbing or cutting, I have heard as small as 255 to as large as 305.

Help?

[Droolguy]

Here is some pics... sorry they are small.

Father took them with the cell phone, havent had a chance to get the car home yet.

If anyone is wondering why I am not driving the car its because I am in Germany right now.

[wmhjr]

Just my 2 cents here. But....

Do you have all stock suspension and body? If so, there's no way a 305 is going to fit IMHO. Definitely not on those wheels.

You're probably not going to be able to get a good answer without people knowing the wheel sizes and backspaces you have. But, just to let you know, I've done some fabrication on my back wheel wells to open them up and still I'm sticking with 275s on the back. I could maybe fit 295s at the most if I really wanted to take a chance. But that's with a total suspension rebuild using Currie Currectrac rear control arms, a Moser crate rear end, cutting out the inside and the outside of the wheelhouses and rewelding them to open them up. Along with the SPC springs and poly bushings as well as the large sway bar in the back, I'm going to have far less body roll. With a stock suspension I think you've got less room even with new wheels that optimize backspace. If the wheels themselves are not set with the best backspace you're going to have a bigger issue.

[Droolguy]

Thats what I figured you were going to say... also, I am looking to go lower-profile by a couple inches so that I can clear bigger brake rotors. Probably a 17"-18" wheel.

Car is 100% stock as far as suspension goes, that was actually the next thing on the list along with disc brakes on all four corners.

So I just need to re-order my priorities a little bit.

To change the question then, where might one find a good suspension kit?

[Droolguy]

Hotchkis has a kit that seems to get good reviews... once again, anyone ever use them?

*Starting to sound like a broken record*

[dmc69]

i have hotchkis TVS on a 69 camaro... i like the feel but may go with 3' DSE leafs in the rear for stance.

[wmhjr]

To change the question then, where might one find a good suspension kit?

Call one of our sponsors, Mark Savitske. Scandc.com. My '66 Pontiac has all his suspension stuff under it. front and rear upper and lower control arms, springs, ball joints.... Take a look at my restomod thread and you can see some of it. I've got the same car - except it's a convertible.

[DriverzInc]

Same as wmhjr said earlier, the best fit we've come to accept is the 10" rear wheel, and a 275 wide tire... for example, our 67 had 18x8 fronts, and 19x10 rears with a 275/35/19 rear tire.

If you need Nitto, let us know, we stock, and sell a grip load of them.

[Droolguy]

You wouldn't have pictures of the car would you?

I am a bit skeptical about 19" wheels...

[Droolguy]

Let me clarify...

This car *will* see occasional trackdays (blasphemous I know). Just because I am a firm believer in that a car should be driven, not stared at parked. People can see enough when I pass them.

My question would be can your wheels hold up under that kind of abuse. The larger the wheel the more stress it is going to have to absorb in hard cornering.

[JT_67Tempest]

Here's a picture of my 67 Pontiac Tempest that DriverzInc help me set up with wheels/tires and suspension. I'm running a 19/20 combo.

[Droolguy]

Wow, looks good.

Thanks for the picture, that helps me to see how big the wheels look in the wells... something I was having a hard time envisioning.

You wouldn't happen to have a straight side-profile shot of that car would you?

[ponchopwr70]

Johnny T what a beautiful car!

[JT_67Tempest]

Wow, looks good.

Thanks for the picture, that helps me to see how big the wheels look in the wells... something I was having a hard time envisioning.

You wouldn't happen to have a straight side-profile shot of that car would you?

Here's a couple from my gallery.

[gearheads78]

Another vote for SC&C. Marcus is the man

My personal opinion is 18/18 or 18/19 look best on these 66/67 A-body cars. I went with 18/18 on mine with 255-40 front and 285-40 rear.

[JT_67Tempest]

Another vote for SC&C. Marcus is the man

My personal opinion is 18/18 or 18/19 look best on these 66/67 A-body cars. I went with 18/18 on mine with 255-40 front and 285-40 rear.

That's one sweet looking ride!!! I'd love to have that in my driveway!!

[gearheads78]

Thanks Johnny.......It would not be much arm twisting to get me to roll yours either. Ive been watching it since you joined. Everything has turned out great.

[Droolguy]

Thanks everyone for the pictures...

Everyone has beautiful cars.

Still need the side shot if anyone has one... pref. of 18" I am just trying to get a feel for how much wheel there really is.

This is what it looks like right now...


Oh, and just because I found this while grabbing that photo, here is our Comet...

[gearheads78]

here is the only straight side shot I have. Just imagine it with the back 1" lower. Thats how its sits now.

[Roadbuster]

Before: with 245/45R17 on 17x7 and 17x8


After: with 255/35R18 on 18x9 up front and 305/35R18 out back on 18x11s


The new fronts are about 0.75 inches smaller in diameter than the old fronts and the rears are 0.75 inches larger than the old ones.

Is this what you were looking for?

Jon