1962 tire sizes available for 5" or 5 1/2" wheels

[Richard L.]

What tire size can I install on my original 15x5 wheels? I can also source non-original 15x5 1/2" wheels if ride, steering and handling would be an improvement with the wider wheels. Does 1/2" make much of a difference?
Sure would appreciate some expert/experienced recommendations.
Ric

[Terry D.]

Re: 1962 tire sizes available for 5" or 5 1/2" wheels

What are you after? Softer ride, better handling, more traction? Remember a wide tire on a narrow rim reduces the footprint of the tire. Also the wider the tire the harder the steering at really slow speeds, like parking. If you are thinking about non original tires than why not a 7 inch rim?

[Richard L.]

Re: 1962 tire sizes available for 5" or 5 1/2" wheels

Basically softer ride, easier steering effort and original size and look. No interest in performance.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1962 tire sizes available for 5" or 5 1/2" wheels

The 15" tire sizes that are closest to the OE 6.70-15 760 revs/mile are 205/75 (766), 215/70 (775), and 225/70 (760). The 205/75 is okay on a 5" or 5.5" wheel, but all are low speed rated, rock hard compound, low grip, and lack the safety of a spiral wound cap belts that is a feature of H and above speed rated tires. I call 205/75 "van tires".

Most manufacturers' recommended wheel width for 215/70 is 5.5"-7.5", and 6"-8" for 225/70, and there are a few with H or higher speed ratings in these sizes that include the safety of a spiral wrapped nylon cap belt that will usually keep the tire from disintegrating in the event of an internal structural failure... no such luck with a tire that lacks that nylon cap belt. (I've experience three tread separations - all on tracks - on H and above speed rated tires and they all held air, allowing me to safety return to the paddock where I saw big bulges in the tread area.)

One option that will work are repro '67 Corvette Rally Wheels (15 x 6, +.030" offset), and they should accept the OE Wheel covers.

7" Rally wheels that should also accept OE wheelcovers might work, but you have to be careful. There were two versions. The version unique to '68 Corvettes has -0.28" offset, and the G-body version is zero offset. On a C2 the '68 Corvette version with 225/70s requires t******* the horizontal fender lips (doesn't change the visible contour), and the zero offset version has insufficient clearance to the rear spring ends.

I'm not sure about clearance issues with this setup on a C1.

Beyond this, like Terry said, you have to state your priorities, and I'll add to what Terry said... Grip? Safety? Sidewall styling? Price?

Once you've got your priorities established you can ask here for recommendations and do some Web searching to see what's available.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: 1962 tire sizes available for 5" or 5 1/2" wheels

Basically softer ride, easier steering effort and original size and look. No interest in performance.

What about safety?

Duke