15 inch wheels, does anyone make a tire that fits?

[Chuck Moreland]

For all the "what size tires" threads, I can't believe I'm adding to the mix.

But I'm choosing wheels/tires for my RS flared '73. The current tires are too short at about 23 inches diameter. Great for acceleration, but they look funky small.

The correct tires should be nearly 25 inches.

I'm thinking 205/60/15 and 225/55/15. A quick search on tire rack turned up no obvious solution.

These are street tires so grip really isn't that important. Appearance is. I have multiple sets of tires/wheels for the track.

I may go to 16 inch if I have to, but I am thinking period correct 15s.

[HarryD]

Chuck,

My 1973 with ATS Cookie Cutters has Toyo Proxes H4's size 205/60-15. I have an unflared body and no problems other than I should lower the car for improved AutoX handling.

[Tim Walsh]

A quick search on tire rack revealed that they have yoko AVS ES100's in 205/60/15

[Chuck Moreland]

I've found 205/60/15 and 225/55/15, but I need both in the same tire. That I haven't found.

I'll run 7 and 8s under the RS flares.

[rpiper]

Chuck, I have 15x7 & 8 Fuchs on my SC. It's kind of old school: lowered, chrome trim, no tail, spoiler, sunroof, AC, or PW. Light and fast. I run 205-60-15 front and 215-60-15 rear Dunlops. They look great, make the car ride very well, quiet, and actually have fairly good grip. Very good in the rain. Plus, they're not expensive so I don't mind punishing them at every opportunity. Cheers!

[Danskman]

Hi Chuck,

They (15" tires) are out there, you just have to look around a little. I recently put some Bridgestone S03's on my 15's. There are also Michelin Pilot Sports available, and Yokohamas. Here's a thread with pics of my S03's;

New SO3's today! almost...

[Joe Bob]

The high end sellers like tire rack are discontinuing 15 inch performance tires. Best to go to your local independent tire seller and see what they can do for you.

Either that or go to 16s.......

[nigel911]

Kumho make 225/60/15 & 205/60/15 in a couple of different performance tires. Not 'the best' on the market but pretty good and reasonably priced. I have not had any problems with mine, quite happy with them. On my 72 I'm running 205/65/15 on the rear 15x7 Fuch and 195/65/15 on the front 15x6 Fuch.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
For all the "what size tires" threads, I can't believe I'm adding to the mix.

But I'm choosing wheels/tires for my RS flared '73. The current tires are too short at about 23 inches diameter. Great for acceleration, but they look funky small.

The correct tires should be nearly 25 inches.

I'm thinking 205/60/15 and 225/55/15. A quick search on tire rack turned up no obvious solution.

These are street tires so grip really isn't that important. Appearance is. I have multiple sets of tires/wheels for the track.

I may go to 16 inch if I have to, but I am thinking period correct 15s.

Chuck,

I was just at Tire Rack and I found 70 choices for 205/60-15 tires. This is the URL I used: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/SearchTires.jsp

What am I missing?

[wevoid]

Chuck,

The classic look would be the 185/70 15 and 215/60 15 package.
Seems like 185/70 is virtually NLA, but 195/65 15 is available and Michelin do this combo of sizes in a tire that has an acceptable look for the period.
We plan to put these on Tracey's 75 Carrera (US) on 7's & 8's next time round.

regards

Hayden

[Chuck Moreland]

Originally posted by HarryD
Chuck,

I was just at Tire Rack and I found 70 choices for 205/60-15 tires. This is the URL I used: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/SearchTires.jsp

What am I missing?

You're missing the part about 205/60 AND 225/55 in the same tire.

225/60 is a bit tall. 225/50 is what I have now and is too short.

[HarryD]

OK. I'll go back to my remedial reading class now.

[dd74]

Chuck - I've been thinking of going down to a 50 series from a 60. Other than appearance, are there other reasons for your thinking that tires are inadequate for street use?

Thanks.

[Chuck Miller]

Hey Chuck,

The combo that worked best for me (up until last year) on my flared 73-S w/ 7&8's was 205x60's / 215x60's ... The car looked right, drove right, and the speedo was deed on.

I bought the car in 89' with Good Year 'Gator-Backs' in that size then promptly changed to Yoko AVS Inter. (the hottest things goin at the time) ... about 4 1/2 sets of 205x60 / 215x60 AVS's and 11 years later...

As you probably know AVS Inter. is done deal, as well as ALL Ultra High Performance street tires in 215x60 size..........

So, last year I changed to Bridgestone S-03's in 205x55's and 225x50 ... virtually the same diameter front and rear.......

The good news is the S-03's are light-years beyond the AVS's in grip (really, a whole different deal) ....
The bad news is the soft ride went away, the look is shorter, and of course, the speedo is way off...

All and all, I think I would give away the new millennium grip for a brand new set of 205x60 / 215x60's Ultra High Performance anything's.

Cheers,

Chuck

[Danskman]

Original size tires on my SC (I believe your RS flares would be the same) were 185/70-15 fr, and 215/60-15 rr, according to owner's manual and sticker on car. That works out to 25.197 diameter fronts, and 25.157 rears.

I went with 205/55 fronts and 225/50 rears, with diameters of 23.878 and 23.858 respectively. So, I'm -1.319" on the fronts and -1.299" on the rear compared to OE sizes. They fit well, as my car is a bit lower than normal. No clearance problems at all. I am going to have my speedo recalibrated for this new tire size. As it is now, it's a bit over 5% off.

[dfink]

Very limited choices. After some research the only high performance tires I could find are. 195/65/15 Yokohama AVS DB for the front and 215/60/15 Yokohama ES100 for the rear. There are also a couple of other yoko tire that will fit the rear. Yokohama has the largest selection of 15 high performance tires I could find. The 195/65/15 are nearly exactly the same size as the 185/70/15 Hope this helps. The tires are around $100 ea.

[Chuck Moreland]

dd74

It's really an appearance thing. The speedo and revs are high now, but not ridiculous.

I just want the car to look right in street trim, with filled out wheel wells. I don't want to over-lower the car to achieve this.

My existing setup is 205/55 and 225/50. With just a bit of treadwear the diameter is down to nearly 23 inches. The ride height is correct but it looks "Cayennesque". If you saw it at Autofest you know what I mean:



I geuss my choices are to mismatch tires or step up to bigger wheels.

[Danskman]

Chuck Moreland
I saw your car at the GAF - very nice! One suggestion that may help your search... if you go to the tire manufacturer's websites, you will find more sizes available than what tirerack.com, discounttires.com, etc. list. Also, if you're tight with someone at a local Big O, or America's Tire Center, you will find even more in their computer system. I buy all my tires for all vehicles from one guy, and he lets me browse his computer when I have specific needs. There are more tires and sizes out there than you can imagine. Even if the dealer, in my case Big O, has to order them, they have them in just a few days.

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

put more air in them, they won't pop. lol

[Jump2xs]

Chuck, I put a set of 195/65/15 Dunlop SP sport 5000's on my 73T, this was to maintain the classic original look, and guess what? I got classic performance too...duh.

The car sorta floats around corners in a squishy way, but this in comparison to modern sportscar standards. This experience is based on hardcore twisty-fast mountain roads where I live. Putt putting around town they feel fine. YMMV.

These tires are acceptable to me and actually force me to really use some skill in piloting the car briskly. This is because there isn't a set of super synthetic sticky rubberbands to save me from my own stupidity.

Oh yeah...since the size is very close to the original equipment circumference, my speedo is somewhat accurate

P.S. Got the lines today, I'll inspect them tommorow. Thanks and it was nice meeting you at Ventura.