[Lifetime Goat]

I have a 1971 GTO Convertible 455 4spd car and am looking at replacing my low profile 17" centerline wheels for either 14 or 15 Rally II wheels as I have been told this will smooth out the ride. Here are my questions that I could use some input on,

Select 14" or 15" rims?
Do I go with 7" up front and 8" in the rear or do the same size all around.
For the tires the similar question. install 70's series in front and 60's in the rear or put the same size all around?

The car is driven less than 1000 miles a year however I would like the ride to be smoother than what the low profile 17" wheels currently provide.

[b-man]

Select 15” wheels, 14” tire choices are slim although 15” sizes are starting to head in that direction as well.

Do you want to be able to rotate your tires ?

If that’s the case go 15x7 with 245/60-15 tires.

If you don’t care about rotation then go with 15x7 front with 245/60s and 15x8 with 275/60s.

Convertibles look good with narrow white walls, some 15x7s with 215/70s would be a classy look with trim rings on the wheels.

It’s not as if 14” wheels are not an option but with those I would steer towards 14x6 wheels with a 215/75-14 white wall. I’m running these same size wheels and tires on my ‘64 Le Mans convertible mainly because Hurst wheels only come in the 14x6 size. They have a nice ride and they’re actually plenty of tire for stability as well.

So you have to decide what look you’re going for, either muscular or more cruiser oriented.

[XLR8STEVE]

'70 275/60/15 rear and 225s in front 15x8 all around. my first set of mickey sportsman tires. i like them better than the radial ta. powdercoated the rallys with a metallic silver undercoat.

14s would also have disc brake clearance issues.

[Lifetime Goat]

I like the idea of the 15x7 up front and 15x8 in the rear with the beefier tire. Thanks for your feedback.

[b-man]

These cars came from the factory with 14” wheels and 11” front disc brakes so that’s not a deciding factor. I’m running 1969 GP disc brakes with my 14” Hurst wheels and previous to that with 14x7 Rally II wheels.

And yes I’m aware there are aftermarket disc brake kits that require the use of 15” wheels but honestly it’s not that difficult to find good used factory disc setups that’ll allow the use of both 14 and 15 inch wheels.

Personally I wouldn’t use 225/60s in front, I think they’re too small and don’t fill the wheel openings enough. At a minimum run the 235s and for the beefier look go with 245s. Everyone likes something different but that’s how I see it.

Some years back I owned a ‘70 T-37 with 15x7s all around with 245 and 275/60s. It looked good, the wheel/tire combo filled up the wheel wells and nothing rubbed. I could have opted for 15x8 rear wheels but the 275s fit and looked fine on the 7 inch wheels. See the link below:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...71&postcount=4

[mrennie]

I have 15x7" wheels with 255/60-15 tires all around.

If you like Rally 2's and aren't stuck on original wheels with specific stamped codes, I wouldn't consider 14's. Like Bman said, tire choice is scarce. 15's not much better but I think there is more demand and at least easier to find fresh ones.

[ponchjoe]

If you happen to want to do Cragar SS wheels, Pontiac Matt on here has a beautiful set he would sell, they are 15”.

[HWYSTR455]

Wheels and tires are a small input to ride quality, I would suggest looking at your shocks.

Think about it, new cars are running 18s-22"s now and ride fine.

What kind of shocks are you running? And what kind of tire?

If it's billet Centerlines, are they true? They bend real easy.


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