Local shop owner has informed be that I will only be able to fit 215/60/r15 tires on my 1976 Buick Century Coupe. Stock 15 x 7 Rallye wheels. I want the classic BFG Radial T/A's. Is he right, I hope not. I would like to have around 235s or maybe even 245s.
Doesn't sound right to me. You've got to have more room than that in your wheel wells, don't you? He may just be telling you what mfgr specs are for your car. 215's may have been stock. Those 15x7 rims will hold 245's w/o any problem, though they do exceed mfgr specs for a 7" rim. I'm running BFG 245/60 T/A's on my 15x7 rims. Maybe you could get one mounted and test fit it in the front and rear for clearance.
ford probes come from the factory with 225 / 50 / 16's on 16 x 7 rims so i would expect you to be able to mount much wider rubber with your taller sidewalls. why is he telling you such a small tire? the probe's are limited because they use a strut and the bottom spring pocket has less than 3/8" clearance with that factory tire. there's plenty of room around the rest of the wheel well. i can't believe that a mid-70's car with the spring and shock mounted inboard on the a-frames would have a problem with this. what are your existing tires and how much clearance do you have front and rear, but especially at the front with the steering wheel to full lock.
I had 275/60/15 on my 73 GS rear with 15x7 rims and 235/75/15 on the front with tons of room to spare..
and 73-77 are all the same basic frame / body right? i'm pretty sure that this is where they introduced the 'front steer' setup.
Dave, The G60-15 tire that was optional on the 70-72 cars was very close in size to the P245/60R-15. The 15X7 rallye wheel was the recommended wheel for that tire. According to the BFG tire catalog I have, the 245 tires can be mounted on rim widths of 6.5 -9.5" I have 255's all the way around on 7" rims, recommended wheel widths of 6.5-10" Jake, According to my sources, the 76 Century Regal came with FR78-15's. The FR78-15 is 26.94" tall. A P255/60R-15 is 27.1" tall. The FR78-15 has a 7.70" section width. The P255/60R-15 has a 10" section width, so it is 2.3" wider. I think the 255's should fit with no problem, and they should look great.
Dang Larry, you're right!(as usual) I must be losing brain cells. Just rechecked BFG online, and they show a recommended rim width of 7-8.5" for Radial TA's 245/60-15's.
Per the info I have been getting from Michlein/BFG the 245/60R-15s ARE on Back order, NOT Discontinued, so they can't be ordered at this time. I was told they are expecting to have them to Dealers by March, BUT, was told to check back in 30 Days. My Contact has been "Anna" @ BFG Consumer Relations, and Reference, Email ID #1668423. Info has been coming back on Both Michelin & BF Goodrich Headings JR
He was looking it up from the book/computer. Sounds like I'll try the 245s despite what he says. Thanks for the wicked info. Hopefully the 245 size is available in canada.
I did a little google searching, and the info I can find indicates the 76 Century got 15x6 rims from the factory. Could be why he gave you bad info, if he was simply looking up info based on your car, instead of the rims you have.
I basically ask around (like on this board), then tell the sales people what I want. They tell me the tire, battery, etc, isn't right for my car. I say I don't care. We go around politely a bit, and they sell me what I ask for. They probably don't know you're a "car guy," and don't want to risk having someone come back complaining.
245 is an oddball size i think. Try 255, or 235, they are more common and cheaper too. I dont think you will have probs with fitment either. Good luck
The 255/60-15 is the best fit. It is the closest match for tire height. The width should be no problem.
sounds great guys. i think hes just trying to be safe. Perhaps ill try a 235 to be safe as well since im not going to be running quarter miles or nothing yet. As for the rims being 15x6. I highly doubt it, but could be wrong. Maybe the regular century and the century custom could be different. My car definatly has alot of differences from the regular centurys. Rallye wheels, rallye steering wheel, leather, buckets, floor shift, targa. I think the shop owner may have mixed up regals as well.
Pull one of the wheels off and look for the size stamped on the back of the rim. You might need to scrub it good with a scotchbrite pad to see the stamping, but it should be there. Now's the time to repaint those rallyes too, since you will have them off for new rubber anyways! Nothing looks better than a freshly painted set of wheels with new lugs and center caps! Brian
