Factory 72 Vette tire size

[L88 crazy]

What was the factory bias ply tire size for 1972 Corvettes? I need to know to size up a set of radials for my 72 Vette.

 

[CQRT]

I seem to recall it to be F-70-14 . . . Goodyear Polyglass . . my 73 came with GR-7015 Firestone Steel Radial 500's and I believe that was the first time Corvette came standard with radials.

CQRT in AZ

 

[lnirenberg]

According to the black book the car came with f70x15. I have a book called the Tech Tire Guide that I bought @ www.tireguides.com. It shows equivelant sizes for this tire as: 235/60-15 215/70-15 195/80-15

 

[maxrevs85]

It is definitly F70-15....205/70/15

 

[CQRT]

yep - - you're right-- 15's. .temporary brain fade . . .sorry.

CQRT in AZ

:duh

 

[pgtr]

F70-15 was the original size as has been noted.

The closest modern tire sizes to this one is the 215/70-15. It's dimensionally identical. HOWEVER tire manufacturers ONLY recommend these 215s for up to a 7.5" rim width (your '72 has 8" wide rims). Some tire installers may not want to install it for that reason...? I think it's actually a smallish tire on a C3 and I don't know of any 215s currently available that are worth squat (in fact there are few modern 15" performance radials that fit on a '72).

225/70-15 and 235/70-15s both will fit fine, fill up the fender nicely and only be 2% or 3% respectively off in speedo error (that's negligable). If you hunt you CAN find some V rated all season performance BW tires in those sizes from GY, FStone (PVs) and maybe General (XPs). Everything else is pretty much hard rubber, low performance S or T rated fare I'm afraid.

255/60-15 is another option - it may fit and it may not (check for front rub w/ steering turned). It should be dead on for speedo accuracy (Corvettes went to this size in '78). Once again its' mostly all low performance hard rubber fare in this size except for one Pirelli Scorpion SUV tire that's V rated.


I've never heard of a 195/80-15 and can't recommend it on a C3. The 205/70-15 is not intended for a rim wider than 7".

Short of upsizing to a 16" or better rim, I would recommend a V-rated 235/70-15 or 255/60-15 (presuming it fits) all season performance tire. There may be a few other good tire options I missed - these are just going from memory from last time I checked.

 

[Christian]

I agree F70-15. Closest available size: 215/70R15.

It is true you could easily go with 225/70R15 too.
As to 235/70R15, my own experience tought me it depends on:
1) the tire brand and model
2) your vette: they are all different. Handmade also means different from one another, especially when it comes to fender space. (I go with 225/70R15 in the front and 235R70/15 in the rear because 235 won't fit in the front right).

I also agree with pgtr: 255/60 is another animal. It really depends on what you want to do with your vette (collectible or muscle car?).

 

[pgtr]

That's interesting to know - I've not encountered a 235/70 fitment problem. Yes, there is variance from car to car - At the other end I've also seen 255s fit all around on early sharks too - go figure. You pretty much have the same selection in 225 or 235 which does include some V rated tires at least. That's another good option - stagger larger rubber to the rear like a 235 or 255 as the front is usually where fitment problems might occur like rubbing while turning tightly. I've done that on another car in the past due to clearance as well as conveniently addressing an oversteer tendency.

While muddying the water - staggering and such can impact rotating tires if that's important to you. I've got one car w/ staggered directional tires - each tire is specific to it's corner - guess I've gotten out of the habit of rotating... Spare tire is another consideration - it's not a good idea to replace a rear tire w/ something of a different size on a positrac.

Thanks Christian