Does anyone know why Oldsmobile dropped the option for 15" SS-III rims and G60-15 tires in 1970? The only requirement would had been the disc brake option. This combination was available on the '70-'72 Buick's and Pontiac's, and later on the '71-'72 Chevy's.

Until reviewing the great information on Wild About Cars and Auto History Preservation Society, I did not know that Oldsmobile was planning on offering the rim/tire combination.

It would had been a great factory option in 1970, as well as in '71 and '72.

 

Its not like they didnt have the patern for them the 69 H/o has them .

 

I have often wondered the same thing. By 1971 ALL GM muscle and pony cars had F and G 60x15 tires EXCEPT for Olds who stayed with the G70x14 tires.

 

Yet, ironically, Olds was generally known to be the best handling of the GM cars.

 

Based on what?

 

Based on magazine tests of the day (not that I believe everything I read). And while I shouldn't put stock in rumors, it was "common knowledge" that Olds engineers spent more time fine-tuning suspension components. I'm talking A-body to A-body here; I'm not saying a 442 out-handled a 'vette.

 

Every article I ever read regarding a 442, Hurst/Olds, Rallye 350, or FE-2 equipped Cutlass, always mentioned how well the car handled, especially compared to other muscle cars during that period.

I've also read that Oldsmobile engineers put more into their suspension tuning than the other divisions because of their Chief Engineer, then General Manager, John Beltz - who always was intrigued with the balanced handling and tuned suspension of European cars during that time and wanted Oldsmobile's to replicate them.