Hello,
I have a 1972 Cutlass S that I am going to finally start dressing up. I've been reading as much as I can on the net(mostly from 442.com). What I would like to do is put 15x7- 3.75 backspaced American Racing Torque Thrust wheels on the front with BF Radial T/A 225 60's. 15x8.5-3.75 backspace with the 275 50 T/A's on the rear. I can afford this set up but not much more. From all accounts, this will work from what I have researched. Could I get some advise from you guys about my thoughts before I order as to clearance problems and such. It would be much appreciated. Thanks, Joe

 

First, no 275 50 T/A's , 275-60's or 295-50's is as close as you are going to get. Your front combo should work but I would go a taller 215-70 or 225-70. The rear wheels with that little backspacing and wide tire will be close to the sharp inner fender lip if the car sits stock or lower and if the lip has not been trimmed for clearance.

 

Thanks for the advice. Do you think I would be better off with the 255's on the rear? The rims I want to use only have 3.75" on the backspace. I've had the car for 18 years and it really did come from a little old lady that lived next door to my folks so I don't think any thing has been clearanced. It still has the original steel rims and hub caps. It only has 41K miles on it and think it's pretty much untouched.

 

I do like wide tires on my cars so I do not like telling someone to go to a smaller tire but yes, the 255-60 would probably be a better choice with like a 215-70 on front. The wider tires might not touch when the car is sitting but an all original car like yours with little or no mods to the suspension will usually have a lot of drop and side sway in the rear when in motion turning, hitting bumps/dips, etc. This is when you will hear and/or feel the sharp inner fender contact with your new tires. I have 315-35-17 tires on the rear of my 72 on 17x11's with 6" bs. that clear with no rubbing whatsoever. Basically my wheels and your wheels have almost the same front wheel spacing but my 17" tires have almost no sidewall bulge beyond the outer lip of the wheel. In contrast, your 15" tires will have a considerably larger bulge out from the outer lip so your tires will be closer to the inner fender lip even though they are not as wide as mine are overall. Good luck and please post detailed pics of it now and when you add the wheels.

 

Thanks so much for the info. Hopefully I'll have made a choice and get them on in the next few week and I will post some pics for sure. Thanks again O442.