JohnKaz
10-29-2007, 09:55 PM
Hi, all:
I'm new to the group, and I've read with interest the other posts regarding wheels and tires. I think I understand the basics, but I still have a couple of questions.
My car is a '69 GS 400 convertible. The last owner (from whom I acquired it last week) had 14" Buick wheels (whether repro or not, I don't know) with red-line bias ply tires. Photos are available at my 'wet behind the ears' posting to which I am not permitted to link (I'm too new). It's on the first page of that board, though.
So...I want to upgrade the wheels and tires. I'd prefer not to mess much with the suspension settings (it seems like a case of changing one thing leads to changing another and another and another...), etc., so I'm thinking 15" or maybe 16" are the way to go. Probably BFG TA radials.
What I'm concerned about is not having my car a) look like a roller skate and b) not look like a 'donk'. I'd also like to maintain reasonable handling. Can anybody supply photos of their car w/ 15"s and 16"s so I can compare? Also, what's the practical handling effect of moving up 1 or 2 inches in diameter?
As for wheels, I'm thinking of either Torq-thrusts (see attached photo of a '69 Buick wagon (cloned as a GS) from csacars.com); pretty cool with the Buick center cap, no? The other choice would be a repro 15" or 16" Rallye - I've found the site (from a previous thread) where 17"s are sold, but not 15"s or 16"s - anybody know of a source?
So, there's my questions, albeit in a rather roundabout form. Any help and/or opinions anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.
John
P.S. One more - how, if at all, does changing tire sizes change speedometer accuracy and, if it does, how do you reestablish speedometer accuracy? Thanks again.
I'm new to the group, and I've read with interest the other posts regarding wheels and tires. I think I understand the basics, but I still have a couple of questions.
My car is a '69 GS 400 convertible. The last owner (from whom I acquired it last week) had 14" Buick wheels (whether repro or not, I don't know) with red-line bias ply tires. Photos are available at my 'wet behind the ears' posting to which I am not permitted to link (I'm too new). It's on the first page of that board, though.
So...I want to upgrade the wheels and tires. I'd prefer not to mess much with the suspension settings (it seems like a case of changing one thing leads to changing another and another and another...), etc., so I'm thinking 15" or maybe 16" are the way to go. Probably BFG TA radials.
What I'm concerned about is not having my car a) look like a roller skate and b) not look like a 'donk'. I'd also like to maintain reasonable handling. Can anybody supply photos of their car w/ 15"s and 16"s so I can compare? Also, what's the practical handling effect of moving up 1 or 2 inches in diameter?
As for wheels, I'm thinking of either Torq-thrusts (see attached photo of a '69 Buick wagon (cloned as a GS) from csacars.com); pretty cool with the Buick center cap, no? The other choice would be a repro 15" or 16" Rallye - I've found the site (from a previous thread) where 17"s are sold, but not 15"s or 16"s - anybody know of a source?
So, there's my questions, albeit in a rather roundabout form. Any help and/or opinions anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.
John
P.S. One more - how, if at all, does changing tire sizes change speedometer accuracy and, if it does, how do you reestablish speedometer accuracy? Thanks again.