245 or 255 tires for rear of 69

[69Crazy]

I didn't know that I could spend so much time on a simple issue like tires. I thought that I might summarize my findings to possibly save other people's time.
In the 225/70R - 15 size (a 27 inch diameter tire that fits nicely):
The Michelin Pilot XGT H4 an "H" rated tire is rarely available. Currently on the west coast we are being told 6 to 8 weeks....sure! With a short driving season like we have in Oregon who wants to wait for a tire that might never show up!!!
The Goodyear RS-A is V rated, still somewhat difficult to get, and has really bad feedback with the Tire Rack customers
In 235/60R - 15 (26 inch diameter and I think still looks great):
Pilots are still out and nobody can promise when available.
In 255/60R-15 (concern with the early C-3's with possible rubbing due to tired suspension)
Goodyear Eagle 1 Nascars are out of production a few remain if you can find them.

Bottom line is go to www.tirerack.com I spent over four hours on the phone with various local tire suppliers who could not come up with any of the possible options. :W :W One local tire store was sure that I would have Michelin's in 5 days. When I called back, they finally told me that the tires were not available.....arrrrrgh! After waiting a week, I was less than favorably impressed with Wal*Mart With Tire Rack, the tires were shipped a little over 4 hours after my order was placed. Tire Rack service advisors have the best idea of what is available and the price is great. Only $38.00 to ship four tires from Reno to Oregon in two days with verified stock levels.

I am going with Pirelli P600 a "W"rated tire (168mph) and not a "poser" like the Goodrich Radial T/A or the Goodyear GTIIs....now, if I could only get my '69 to go as fast as the tires!!!!!!!!

 

[Koop]

I am going with Pirelli P600 a "W"rated tire (168mph) and not a "poser" like the Goodrich Radial T/A or the Goodyear GTIIs....now, if I could only get my '69 to go as fast as the tires!!!!!!!!

A friend of mine had a '70 that'd go 155MPH and it was scary (I about sh!t)...A C4 OK, but never again in a C3.

The 60 series tires handle better than the 70 series. The Pilots are worth the wait if you can hold out.

 

[69Crazy]

The 60 series tires handle better than the 70 series. The Pilots are worth the wait if you can hold out.

I agree that the 60 series tires will generally handle better (is it due to lessened side wall flex?). That's why I have 235/60/WR15's ordered in the Pirelli P600. We have too short of a driving season in Central Oregon (snow likely by the end of Oct.) to wait for tires that might never be produced. I had Pirelli's on a 1990 Vette that were nothing short of spectacular. I should have them mounted by mid week next week. I will post pictures and my impressions of the tires performance.

 

[pgtr]

Great posts and insights 69Crazy! Well said.

I've been down some of the same paths myself. 2 words of caution about tirerack. 1 is that they do have some notable errors in their tiredata. (They've been listing the PV40 years after it was replaced by the PV41 for example..). The other is the opinion polls. You have to read (I suspect you did) the actual comments and not just the summarized numbers to get an idea of where the respondents are coming from. For example non-speed rated grandpa tires might have very good ratings even though from a performance standpoint they are a joke. Those are my 2 caveats but it's agreat research site and on occasion when not avail locally I've bought there.

It's also really nice to see some serious tire discusion here over quality tires rather than the usual banter about which non-performance RWL 'poser' tire is better than which non-performance RWL 'poser' tire. Given the amount of cosmetic 'selling' tire companies do especially in sizes like 15" and the lack of good objective information and lack of general understanding of tire technology (and the emotional attachment people place on their tire 'brand') - tire threads are never simple I guess.