Let me see your tires

Looking for ideas for my 67 skylark. I know what rims I want, but I don’t know what tire size so if anyone has any pictures of rims and tires with the Tire size I would appreciate it!

 

I run a 275/40-18 on a 9.25” wide wheel in the rear with 5.25”bs and a 255/40-18 on an 8” wheel with 5” of bs on the front of my 66. Rear fender lips were folded before I got it and now that I did a disc brake swap I’ll need to drop to a 245 tire in the front for some clearance. Fills it up nice though.

 

Hello All.

I've been searching the site for the best thread to ask on, and this seems to be it. I have a 70' GS with custom Schott wheels on it currently (that I 'like' but don't 'love') and I'm looking to swap them for the classic Buick rallys. My problem is, understand what will and won't fit the car the best. It seems as though backspacing is key (perhaps obviously) so the tires don't rub.

I'm considering these Boyd Coddington replicas from Jegs, in 15x7s for the front of the car and 15x8s for the rear:

https://www.jegs.com/i/Boyd-Coddington-Wheels/103/54-5712044BC/10002/-1

https://www.jegs.com/i/Boyd-Coddington-Wheels/103/54-5812042BC/10002/-1

Before I bought my car, I looked at this 72' GSX Tribute here in WI... that had a real nice set of Buick rallys on it (don't know the wheel sizes), but it had 235/60R15 BFGs (front), 275/60R15s on the rear... and it looked absolutely killer. The rear wheels almost look like 15x10s, as they have a 'deeper' look to them. Does anyone agree? Again, the yellow GSX Tribute is not my car... I just shared as I really like the stance and look of it. This is what I'm try to replicate on my car. The combo on it 'fills in' the wheel wells real nicely... and it didn't rub when I drove it.

Any advice on where to go from here would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,

Gregg

 

Unfortunately those wheels at Jegs are Magnum 500s... Ford wheels. The problem is they have the wrong bolt pattern for our Buicks (5x4.5 vs 5x4.75).

 

Hello again.

Dangit. I knew the correct bolt pattern for the Buicks... I just got excited when I found the wheels on Jegs, and didn't notice the 5x4.5. Shoot.

Well... these appear to be correct, but they only have 15x8s:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145820374445

Are they decent wheels for the $189.99 price? They look nice from the pics, assuming that's in fact how they actually look. Otherwise, the Parts Place has Wheel Vintiques in stock... but they're pretty pricey at $349.99 each!!

I guess I'm looking for direction and/or advice on getting replica wheels (vintiques or Boyds) with 4.5" backspacing. I know a ton of people have done the calculations/research/measurements for their 70-72' GS', so I'm asking for their advice on "what fits" or "what doesn't". I, again, would love to replicate the look of the 72' GSX Tribute in the pics I shared... but I only know the tire size, not wheel size or spacing, etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

Very true - I bought 15X10 wheels from a board member that he had on his car. I needed a 1/8" spacer to make them work on my car. It was that close! 295/50's on the rear.

 

I'am going the Mickey Thompson tires for the rear of my 70 GS 455 because I can't get traction with my BFG Redline tires.

The rear MT will be 275/60/15 street drag slicks, on my original rally wheels.
These drag slicks do have a tread pattern in them in case I run into a rainy day. But the tire compound is much softer than the BFG Redlines I currently have for a much better traction.
This is my first BBB, and the touque output is so great, even at idle and flooring it, the tires go up in smoke. Looks great, but spinning isn't winning, Lol.

The front will be MT 245/60/15.
This comes in 2025. Vet

 

These are my wheels on the old car don’t have them on the new car as of yet. 17x8 front 18x10 rear 6” backspace 295/40 tires in rear are a bit close to the frame but going to disc someday and it will push them out a little bit, I have a Tanks Inc EFI tank with the corners cut so exhaust clearance won’t be an issue

 

Had to retire the 195 red lines. 15x255 on 7" rims.

 

They look good I want to put 17’s or 18’s on my 69 most people tell me not to do it!

 

I'm a sucker for the Bias look radials. I've never driven a car on bias-ply tires but I do love the appearance of them. I've bought two sets now and they perform great.

 

I got news for you on driving the drag radial in the rain, absolutely not, you will hydroplane and crash anything over 35 mph, been there done that.

 

They are MT street slicks radial with tread, made for rain. These are NOT full Drag slicks without any tread.
Did you NOT read all of my post?
I would never drive with Drag slicks in the rain.
I'm not stupid. Here again, this is NOT my first set of Street slicks. I used Prowler Eliminator Street slicks in the early 70's.
Come on, give me a friggin break. Vet

 

I did read your post, did you mis-read mine?… and I said drag radials, yes with the tread, horribly dangerous on any wet street.
I had them on my Foxbody 84 and avoided rain like the plague but 1 time I couldn’t and was going 50 on the hiway as slow as I dare go and it let loose without warning, I immediately took a 90 degree toward the barrier tried to control it then spun 2 complete 360’s and got control of it going backwards to wind up looking at the traffic behind me headed straight at me, and going backwards at 40mph, the car then missed the turn went off road up an embankment and came to a stop. I drove 15 mph the last 10 miles home and not a scratch on the car….damn miracle. I currently have them on my Stage 2 car and would never ever trust them on a wet street especially with the 4-speed, they break loose now even when I hit 3rd gear.

I’ve noticed you go off the rails a couple times the last week or so, maybe take a break pal, I can understand your frustration with everyone always giving their opinions, I have to take things with a lot of salt about the same issues on here also, you’re not alone. And then again if you don’t want opinions don’t ask for them. Lots of know-it-alls, I found it better to just ignore 75% of it and just filter the rest.

 

OK, you had a huge problem with street slicks. That doesn't mean I will.
Like I responded to you. I drove a set of street slicks on the road for 3 years every day and never had a problem. Maybe you have a harder rubber compound? On the side wall, should be three 000's, that tells you it's a very soft compound. This is what gives the grip.
I don't usually drive my Buick in the rain, but it's possible I might get into one.

Yes, I sometimes go off the rails because of the stupid negative responses I get.
Let's be fair. If folks don't like what I post, either don't read them or don't respond in a negative matter. I love great advice and Buick expertise, but this is NOT what I'm getting. Re-Read my latest posts and you will see what I'm talking about.

I try to be helpful when I respond, but when I get this, O' hey, you're wasting your money on TA's Shorty headers and the sound sucks, and you'll be changing headers gaskets and you will only get 5 hp gain, headers are a waste of time and money, stock cast iron manifolds are the way to go.

What the F is that all about? That's not positive or constructive. If I'm going to buy Shorty headers, it's my $$$, so what?
I happen to like what I hear now. I've had tube headers long before; 2025, I like tube headers and that's what I'm going with.
I try to be as polite as I can be on our forum, but it's sometimes not possible, I have a temper like any normal human,
when the negative static gets over whelming.

As for you, I have been reading all your posts on how you have reconstructed your Skylark. You have done a great job with it, and I love what you have done, and I love the color.
Now, NOT everything with you have done I agree with, but IT's your car and I keep my negative comments to myself. You have busted your ass on your Buick and I appreciate the labor, time and money you have put into your Buick.

I would appreciate the same treatment. Thank you, Vet (Navy)

 

I agree with what you’re saying, it is overwhelming, most if not all of us just trying to help with our experience, knowledge, when anyone asks a question. I myself am much too direct with my answers and can easily be mistaken as rude or bossy, not my intention at all, enjoy the car, enjoy the discussion and most of all do what makes you happy with your car, that’s the whole point of the Car Culture.

 

Thank you sooo much. I agree 100% with your post. Forget and forgive. Vet (Navy)

 

Be VERY careful on wet surfaces with DOT DRAG RADIALS.
I also have the MT DR’s, the “tread” on them is very minimal and only enough to get DOT approval.
There more of a slick tire than all season.