What Size Tires Look Best on a 1981 ??

[91-Vetteman]

Appreciate anyone's input !! I am looking at replacing tires on a 1981 white vette. Looking at original specs, these came with 225 / 70 / 15s on them, or you could upgrade to 255 / 60 / 15s for $500 more on the original sticker. I am a Good Year person and want to put a set of Good Year Eagle GT IIs raised letters on her. Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated. Thanx ! John :cool

 

[82ColEd]

John,
my personal favorite is the BF Goodrich's with the white raised lettering on the sidewall, that i am running on my 82. Think mine are 255/70's.. Just my opinion though..
Stefan

 

[Glensgages]

I bought my '82 in May '00, with the original 255/60R15 Eagle GTs. Sadly, they were dry-rotted (and slightly flat-spotted), but I wanted the ORIGINAL-looking GTs...
Not finding them, I got BFG Radial TAs in the same size for MUCH less money than the GTIIs.
I think they are slightly taller & narrower, and they don't handle NEARLY as well as the original Eagle GTs.
I think the '79-up C3s with the N90-wheel (and ALL '82 Collector-Editions) came with 255/60 on the 8" wheel, and have been told that 275/60s will fit the rear with no modification needed...

 

[BLACKDOG]

Hi John ! Welcome to the CaCC

When I got my '80 a few years back, it had 265/50/15 T/A's on it . :cool
The car had been lowered a bit and those squatty 50's gave it a great look, although it tracked a lot when you hit a groove or the like.
After the first run from here to Bowling Green, I changed over to Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's (255/60/15's). A lot better ride with decent handling quality. Both fit on the 8" wheels with no problem, but the 265's had more "attitude".


good luck & drive on !!! the DawG

 

[VRGSVET]

I would strongly urge you not to put taller or wider tires on your car. Check around on this forum; several people have had problems with fitment when they did that. Go with the 255/60/15, they fit perfect and fill up the wheel well nicely. I wanted Goodyear GTIIs for my Vette, but I went with the Firestone Indy 500 and I really like them. I also like the BF Goodrich Radial TAs, but I got the Firestones cheaper and I read good things about them. You can't really go wrong with any of the three as long as you stick with the 255/60s. I'm no tire expert, but I believe any of the three would easily outperform the old Goodyear GTs. Tire technology has come a long way since 1980. Just my .02

 

[Culprit]

I'm happy to hear people who like the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's since that's what I decided on last week - 255-60-15. Yesterday, I got a couple of quotes from some local tire shops. Both of them quoted me $360 with the mount and balance. Now I just have to figure out what tirerack would charge for shipping and see what's cheaper.

 

[Fishman]

Have had Goodyear Eagle GT2 255/60R15 (with raised white letters) for two years. Great tires.

 

[AUSSIEVETTEMAN]

Well I don't know???

I think the '79-up C3s with the N90-wheel (and ALL '82 Collector-Editions) came with 255/60 on the 8" wheel, and have been told that 275/60s will fit the rear with no modification needed...

Glen, I pulled my build sheet out a couple of weeks ago and the tyre size on there was 255/60R15, with no N90 Aluminium Rally Wheel. Seems she had stock wheels with big shoes! That tyre size may not be limited to this rim???

Cheers

Tony

 

[Salt & Pepper]

JOHN, I have 255/60R15 Goodyear GT-2 on my 79 vette. N90 Aluminum Wheels. They look great an work well. Charlie

 

[DDLS3]

My 81 came with the optional 255/60-15's. I have replaced the Goodyears with BF Goodrich Radial TA's, raised white letters. They look nice and handle great. The price was arouond $75 apiece 2 years ago.

 

[Glensgages]

Glen, I pulled my build sheet out a couple of weeks ago and the tyre size on there was 255/60R15, with no N90 Aluminium Rally Wheel. Seems she had stock wheels with big shoes! That tyre size may not be limited to this rim???

Cheers

Tony

Tony:
Thanks for the info...
I had never heard of the info I posted earlier, until I was given several source-books stating that the 255/60 came on N90 aluminum wheels, and 225/70 came on the 'standard' steel Rally wheel, and quite a few C3-owners have confirmed this story, but I have no reason to doubt your word...
:confused
Is there any-other C3 owners who can straighten me out?
;help
Is it 'possible' that your car was ordered WITH the bigger tires, but WITH-OUT the aluminum wheels?
If-so, I doubt many were ordered that way, making your C3 some-what unique!

 

[KC-21]

Hey Gang,
Check out www.madvet.com they have the stock BF Goodrich, Dunlop and Goodyear tires available for about $90.00 each plus shipping. They have the 255/70's and the 255/60 available. Goodrich 255/60-SR15 stock #612-529, Dunlop #612-531 and Goodyear #612-533 all are raised white letter tires.
They also have some very nice stuff in their catalog too, one thing that caught my eye was the polished stainless steel performance muffler & tailpipes for $199.00 #666-200.

Hope this is some help for finding the tires and goodies you need....
Later,
KC

 

[VRGSVET]

Tony:
Is it 'possible' that your car was ordered WITH the bigger tires, but WITH-OUT the aluminum wheels?
If-so, I doubt many were ordered that way, making your C3 some-what unique!

Just thought you might like to know, my 1980 came with the rally wheels with the larger 255/60/15 tires. Don't know if this was special order or just came that way, though.

 

[pgtr]

I agree w/ everyone else that the 255/60R15 looks the best on a Shark - it's OE on later years and it fills up the fenders nicely w/ a good aggressive looking stance. It's probably what your speedo is calibrated for anyway if it was the OE size.

Unfortunately tire technology has long long ago moved on sine the mid 80s and we have little left for Sharks in this size except relatively hard rubber compound low speed rated tires. The only high speed rated high perf tire I've found in this size is a Z speed rated tire by Pirelli - I don't know of any other 255/60s in it's performance class but unfortuantely it does not have any sort of good looking raised white letters that would look better on a Shark.

I'm afraid we can't have our cake and eat it too on this one...

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I got Goodyear Eagle GT2's for my '82 last fall for the trip to Carlisle Pa. 255/60/R15. They look great, feel great, and they stick like glue to wet pavement.
I would recommend them to replace your 215's as the cornering radius doesn't seem to be any different.
I got mine at Tirerack.com for $75.00 a piece in Aug. last year. UPS delvered them 48 Hrs after the shipping confirmation was received. Good luck.