Tire sizes, Buying new tires Options

[pek771]

Hi all:: I am going to the tire store tomorrow to get my wheels back from having the beater tires removed. The 185/60R15 were good enough to transport the car here from Arizona. These are EMPI 8 spoke, 5.5 W x 15 diameter. Wheels are 4 X 130, I suppose. The car is a 70, no flares, just plain old 4 cylinder config. I am putting a Hyper9 motor in it, and I expect it to come out of corners like a rocket.

What size tires can I fit in the stock wheel wells? The selection is very limited in 195/60R15. But, I can get Hoosiers in 205/50R15. Do the 205 fit? I live in Florida, and will drive the car very infrequently, so I don't care if it has DOT-R tires on it.Nor do I care of speedometer inaccuracies.

Thanks!
Pat

[horizontally-opposed]

195/65R15 is a really nice size on period wheels, and has always seemed ok on 15x5.5 or 15x6 wheels (but do check tire maker's wheel recommendations).

205/60R15 felt a bit ridiculous on my 15.5s years ago, but just fine on 15x6s.

205/55R15 worked well on 15x6s. Really well. Ran them for many years, and they were "just taller enough" than 205/50R15—but I prefer taller sidewalls on these cars now.

Still trying to work up the gumption to try and sneak 215/60s in on 15x7 rears with 195/65R15s up front—which seems like an ideal setup for my car. Been done, but I wonder how much body bending and $ is gonna be involved and it just isn't a priority…

If you don't want to do bodywork or wheels, I'd stick with 185/70 or 195/65.

YMMV!