1969 A-body Wheel and Tire Picture Thread.
 

One of the most common questions around here is "what wheel and/or tire would look good and/or fit on my car?" Well the other day I had a little extra time so threw on a few different sizes and styles onto my Lemans and took pics for reference. I'd have done more some of my other sets were hard to get to.

When I started the car was sitting on it's original set of 14X6 steelies painted Limelight Green to match the car. Limelight was one of the wheel colors for 1969 so the paint is correct. The tires are G70-17 Goodyear Polyglas. The size is correct as an optional size for 1969 but the white letters weren't available until 1970.

Next up is another set of 14X6 steelies in black. Tires are again G70-14 but this time they're redline Firestone Wide Ovals. After mounting these it really struck me how much more I like body color steel wheels on a light colored car.

Time for radials! Next shot is with 225/70/14 BFG's on 14X7 Rally II's. Original Rallies would have been 14X6. The 225/70 is about the closest you're going to come to the original size tires in a commonly available radial.

Last up is some big tires! They're cheapo 275/60/15's on 15X7 Rallies on the back. They're huge, but there is still plenty of room in the wheel wells with no danger of rubbing.

A few more shots for reference.

Close up of rear wheel well with 225/70/14.

Close up of rear wheel well with 275/60/15.

Shot of the clearance at top lip of wheel well with 275/60/15 **Mounted on OEM 15X7 Rally II**

Comparison of height and width of tires all setting on flat asphalt lined up evenly.
From left to right 225/70/14, G70-14 and 275/60/15. You'll notice that a 225/70/14 is still a fair amount shorter than the original equipment G70's.

Poverty caps with redlines is the obvious choice.

I have air shocks on mine, I have run L60s in the past. I know that a lot of people dont like air shocks i like the as up more than draging.

The rain is killing you isn't it? ;)

I like the limelight steelys.

I like the black steelies with redlines. The limelight steelies are a close second.

Great pics, goatless..Nice to see the difference all in one thread...Saving this thread for reference...:D

Just a question: On the first post, the last pic with the 275s in the back, did u still have the 225/70/14s in the front?

One other thing I should mention- Those little G70-14's have substantially more traction than any of the street radials! Take a look at this pic, you can see the side walls wrinkling on the launch!

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...pictureid=1092


Those big 275/60's don't even come close! The Lemans will smoke them for as long as I stay on the gas! The Polyglas will spin too, but they eventually hook up and go.

I also found another pic, this time with 275/50/15 BFG DRAG Radials on the back. They're really pushing it on the 15X7 Rally rims. Too much sidewall bulge.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...pictureid=2457


Robz, yes those are still the 225/70/14's on the front in that shot. I'd have prefered to put on 235/60/15's but they're mounted on the T-37 right now.:rolleyes:

You actually "spin" your cars rear tires? Run it in organized speed trials? My goodness, isn't that abusive to the drivetrain? Don't you risk possible damage to 40+ year old mechanicals? I shudder........

Why David, I know that someone of your high moral turpitude would not abuse your own classic machinery in that way, let alone endorsing that kind of behavior from others.:rolleyes:

Hey, I've got an idea... why don't you post up some good shots of your 1969 A-body with the specs from your wheel & tire combo.

Perhaps everyone with a '69 A-body, or even a '68 :eek:, could post up some good pics of their wheel and tire combo so we could all share in the knowledge of what fits and what looks good.:D

I'm game!

235/60/15's on front and 255/60/15's on the back on factory 15x7 Rallys

Goatless (jeremy, right?),

Your body colored poverty caps has inspired me to put them on my Ivory 68 Lemans. I'm going to paint them Ivory (yes I know, not a 68 factory wheel color) and put some dog dishes on it. I'd love to go to 15's on it, but the 225/70/14 T/As on it are practically new and I already have the 14x6 steelies.

Jeff

That damn turpitude thing gets me every time.

My rear 255/60-15 Radial T/A's on 8" Cragar's actually do spin freely on the tarmac when the gas engine is fed enough petroleum distillates.

Fronts are 245/60-14's on 14" X 7" Cragar's
Rears are 255/60-15's on 15" X 8" Cragar's

This is with 225/70-14's on 14 X 7 Cragar's. With those babies on the rear she'd spin'm hard most of the way through second gear. At least that's what I was told.
Also included a shot of my engine guy...........

Mine are as follows:

Rear: BFG, 275x60x15
Front: BFG, 235x70x14

I run R888s front and rear on my 68 GTO. 255/35R18s up front on 18x9s and 305/35R18s on 18x11s out back on Forgeline S03 wheels.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...153NK30626.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...r/CIMG2053.jpg

Jon

Wow! That looks badass!:thumbup: Did you need to modify the wheel wells to fit those wide rears on?

What's the backspace/offset on the wheels? Those specs on the non-OEM wheels would be good to know for the guys looking for aftermarket wheels that'll fit.

Roadbuster now thats a set of wheels !!!!!

Guys why are you running 14inch on the front and 15's on the back.
i run :ausflag:
225x60x15 front - 15x7
255x60x 15 rear - 15x8
i wanted bigger but getting 15inch tires is getting harder in the larger sizes.
what size can i get under the front without modifications ( normal ride height mine still to be lowered ) . i am on the hunt now for some 275 now .....265 cannot get i have tried.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1247303977http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1247304378

Aus, I have the 14's on the front because that's what I could get at easily. I'd normally run the same diameter rim all around. I've got 9 or 10 sets of wheels/tires that I swap around onto my cars.

I think that the combo that 69gtocv has on his black car is just about the best looking 15" setup. The 255's look just right on the back, the 275's that I showed look almost too big.

On your car you could fit a 235/60/15 on the front if your aftermarket wheels have the proper back space- around 4 1/2" os so. If you wheels have less you may already be as big as you can go without rubbing.

It's just wrong to have that look so good. Dang it!

That is KILLER looking!

I am normally VERY outspoken about how cheesy large rims/wheels look on A-Bodies ( I cannot stand the rubber-band look), but I have to say your combo looks downright awesome to me.

Might be the black centers, it seems to cut down on the "large-ness" of some of the other chromed or polished large rims. :thumbup:

I think you hit the nail on the head there. The black is what does it. I agree, too large of shiny wheels just doesn't look proportionate on an A body.

The tire rim combo look so good on your car you can hardly notice the nasty rusty exhaust
pipe coming out the side.... :) Better then mine... I have a really nice clean exhaust with a
nasty rusty car above it... :(

It has the perfect rake to it and the paint is smooth as glass..
The best looking orange 68 I have ever seen... and I've seen a ton of them.

Would love to see more pictures...

Thanks everyone for the compliments. I'm glad you like the car and humbled by all the praise.

Goatless, My front suspension is a custom set up from SC&C and I have a narrow rear axle. Because of this my back space numbers won't help anyone unless they match my setup exactly. There is no room for error on the front. I was off a bit and the wheel hit the control arm at lock until I aligned it. Out back you will have to massage the back of the inner wheel well a tad bit. Make sure your body is centered on the frame. I can help with locations that need to be measured but this has very little clearance and really needs to be measured.

Thanks ilo, I cut about 6 inches of rusty pipe off just leaving a little turn out under the car. Looks much better. Replacing the pipes is on my to-do list. It is still a work in progress.

Jon

Goatless,

The picture comparing the 225/70/14 to the G70 is interesting, I have Firestone G70`s and they seem to be lower and wider tread than 225 70 TA`s. interesting

On my A bodies I run the following,

69 LeMans convert, factory 14x6 black steelies with wire wheel covers and 215/75/14 dean alpha 5/8" whitewall. (this size tire is almost extinct, no major brands make it anymore hence being stuck with these crappy $40 tires). I like that look and wanted the car to have that stock "regular" look.

69 GTO hardtop, 14x7 RII with repro radial redlines (called silvertown but look just like TA`s). Not bad setup as the 7" rims fill out the tubs better than 6" but you loose the sidewall bulge which I always thought looks tough.

69 GTO convertible, 14x6 RII with Firestock wide oval G70. rides like total crap but looks great, love the square shoulder look and the bulging sidewall. Also as goatless mentioned they hook up nicely compared to a radial, especially at lower psi. But man they ride like garbage!!

New sneakers for an old goat....I know it's a 72 but... ;)

Pulled the 15 y.o. rubber off and put on some vintage looking Dunlops. Two of the original honey's were looking rough so I pulled two more out of the parts department and grabbed a new set of trim rings. Thanks for the help Jeremy. ;)

Update: Tires suck - no traction! :D

wheels and tires 69 lemans
 

I have the exact same triple green (orig. colors) 69 LeMans conv. as goatless. I have inserted some pics of wheels and tires taken before restoration began. As you can see from the center caps and rims they are late 70's (?) era 15x7 inch wheels with 235/60/15 radial tires. I like the way this size looks and handles so I have decided to restore these wheels with original style caps and rims. There is plenty of room for the lower profile 60 series tires without any suspension mods.

Thanks for this post-
Here is how r14 225/70s up front on 14x6 rally IIs up front and r15 275/60s on 15x7 Rally IIs ends up. I was going to be safe and stick with 255s in back, but really wanted the extra diameter of the 275s for help with RPMs at higher speeds.

For the record, in my tastes, muscle cars need rear tires that are a little wider, taller, and with more sidewall than up front. Not the best plan for tire rotation. I know the rake look is outdated but I am cool with old school. Also makes your r14 225/70 spare tire not the best for if you get a flat in a rear tire, but still a lot better than the mini donuts they call spares now.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u.../DSCN40942.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN4089.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN4090.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN4095.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN4099.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN4100.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN4096.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...r/DSCN4087.jpg

ramairthreegto
whats the color of your car? looks great nice and deep

Matador Red
that's the color it originally was.
except it left the factory with a black vinyl roof.

I was either going to do the roof or judge apearance.

(I dont think there are Judges with vinyl roofs)

It was easier doing the decals and went with that.

In general, I prefer a brighter red, candy apple, torch red, etc.,
but this has grown on me.

But when the day comes to repaint it, solar red would be tempting.

I wouldn't touch it. That deep Matador hue looks mean on it...especially with the flat black accents. Very nice car!

69
 

lookin good.

There were lots of Judges with vinyl tops. I'm finishing up a Carousel/black vinyl Judge right now.

Joe is that your car....it is sick.

What are the specs?

John

Dog Dish with Redlines

Ditto...
 

only with the body color wheels!

I know it is a '71 but same basic body style. Back in the day. Here are G60's in the back and F60's in the front. 15 X 7 slot mags. Ansen. No idea of back spacing. Only rubbed at lock on upper edge of front inner fender.

G70-14 (the same ones from the beginning of this thread) on my '70 T-37.:)

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...pictureid=3376

Dogdish hubcaps everywhere!:cool2::cool2:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...pictureid=3373

Sweet!!!
 

Wasn't Verdoro a special order on a '70? Just curios...don't see it much.

That's Lime Light green. Vedero is darker...

The '69 is Limelight, the '70 is Verdoro.

Ron, as far as I know Verdoro was a regular 1970 color. You're right though, you don't see it near as much as in '68-69. Maybe because there were FOUR different greens available for 1970?

Is there any way we can tell who is running what suspension along with the wheels and tires? I want to know how much drop some of these cars go. I'm getting ready to get coils and would like to run 1" drop or 1.3" drop and want to know if anyone has any combos.

here's a niner w/ fat ones.
 

mini tub.

I am running 17 x9's with 275/50/17 on the back and 17 x 8 's on the front with 255/50/17 on the front. I have cut 1 inch off my front coil springs,

I am on the fence about this, I really like it but I'm just not sure if 17s are too big for my car. The reason being is because I almost want to run a set of C5 Vette rims on it or WS6 rims on it, although I don't know what it will look like. I like how you painted the rear bumper to match though, it kinda seems goofy to me to have an Endura front bumper and a chrome rear.

What color did you go with on that car? I'm thinking of going blue on mine, this looks good, or if I could find a Nightwatch Blue on one of these that would be great.

Liberty blue

I need help in deciding on what rally2 wheels to buy.
The front tires will be 235/60/15 and the rear will be 255/60/15
My question is back spacing and should I just get 15x7 rims?
Or 15x8 for the rear and 15x7 for the front?
The car is a stock supension 69 GTO