Wheel Help
 

Hi, I'm new to the site and I need some help with selecting some new wheels I want. I was thinking of going with a set of Astro Supremes with a set of white wall tires to match. The problem is I really don't know anything abouy measuring the backspace on my car, so I cannot tell if they will scrub or not. I have a 66 grand prix, with drums all around. It would be very helpful if someone know or is already running a set of Supremes on their car could give me some help with the numbers on the size rim, backspacing and the size tire they are running. Also, what is the best place to order a set of these wheels? Thank you.

Ben

Ben,

Start out by measuring your stock wheels to use as a starting point.

You don't want to deviate too far from what came stock, using a rim about 1" wider than stock should work without any issues. Use your skills with a measuring tape and straight edge to see how far you can come out towards the outside without coming into interference with the fender openings.

Running a set of Supremes (you'll need some with the 5X5" bolt pattern) with the thin whitewalls will look really good on your car, finding a set that fit the car well shouldn't be that hard. You won't be looking to run a big, wide tire for the look you're going for. A size the same as stock in a radial equivalent size or even one size smaller would be what you're looking for. You'll have to decide on 14" or 15" rims too, the 14" would be easier to fit.

Here is a tire size chart from Coker, the stock tire in a radial size is a 215/75-14 which would be a very nice tire size to use on a 6" or 7" wide wheel.http://store.coker.com/search.php?in..._model=Pontiac

You probably don't have a lot of different backspace options with those wheels. I think they only come in a 'standard' offset (backspace close to stock) and a 'deep' offset (a lot less backspace than stock).

Measuring backspace and how to find out what size wheels will fit:http://earlywheel.com/choosing.html

Hope this helps.:burnout:

:welcome: to the PY forums.

Bart :cool:

Bart,

Thanks a lot for your reply. I will go out today and buy a measuring tape and try to come up with some numbers. All the information you provided is very helpful. Thanks again.

Ben

Check out the thread biggest wheel on a Bonneville thread. A ton of good info in that one.

We have beat the topic to death in some other threads in this forum and no use repeating ourselves. Bunch of good information available. I will repeat one important line here anyway - despite the same years of cars all coming with the same backspacing and clearances, 40+ years of abuse and a possibly more serious straightening from an accident makes measuring each car a must the further you push the envelope. Someone mentioned 14" tires and rims. What I have noticed is how many sizes they have dropped from the 14" lineup, and how impossibly few speed rated 14" tires you can find. Everyone is used to looking at 15" tires and most nongearheads will think the larger rims belong anyway. Go one more step up to 16" rims in the rear and you have solved your rear shock problem since the rim can now go under the shock brace.