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.
Here is a picture of my car with 17 inch rims, and another one with 16 inch rims. I think both have been lowered 2 inches in the front. I am sure Louie will post pics of his car with wheels on it, he isn't shy. :laugh:
Hi John, I have had a few 68/69's and have had a number of wheel and tire combo's. First i think you need to decide on a "look" if you want a modern large wheel and tire combo, stock, or sixty's retro look. I like them all, but i think the best all around are the 15X7 inch Buick rally wheels on BFG's 245/60/15 all the way around. You can get a 275/6015 on the back of your car with 51/2 inch backspace. David
This is one of the cars David has let go of, with my wheel modification:beers2: They are Torque Thrust Originals, 4.75 bolt circle, 15 x 7; redlines from DB Classics 235x60x15
John, The previous owner had the correct vintage tires and wheels on the car, if you like to go to 15" then get the B F Goodrich's with Buick ralleys like I first did when the car was completed, This spring I went to 17" Thrust Torque II with Falken rubber 245x45x17 in the front and 255x45x17's in the rear. :TU:
Louie and Ted, just curious, will your cars sit level with those tires/wheels? Or is there any clearance issues? The jury is still out on what I'm going to do ... either the 17"' billet or maybe even 15" dog dishes all around (offset in the rear for some fatties).:Brow:
I wonder why my brain goes fuzzy everytime I see that car. I have 17x8 with 4.5" back spacing 245/45/17 in back and 235/45/17 ip front on my 68. Well they aren't on the car yet but I got them.ou:
I went pretty conservative on the size, no issues with clearence on mine. I think the best part of the look is the offset sets t the tire out into the wheelwell, makes for a good look. Original 14 x 5" wheels look like they are tucked in there too far.
