Cutlass217

Looking for some advice here...I have a 68 CS with the factory 14s and I am looking to upgrade the wheel and tire size. Of the 3 (15", 16" or 17") what is the biggest size & width (7" or 8") I can put on and do nothing but bolt them on? I don't want to have to modify anything, just give it a different, more "beefy" look.

rob1960

My '68 came with the 14x6 SS2 wheels,way to small in my humble opinion! I went with 15" SS3s, done in the '69 H/O style with the argent painted center with chrome rims from Coker. They are 15x7 front/15x8 rear. I used 235/60s on the front & 275/60s on the rear. I have no issues with rubbing. Unfortunately Coker no longer sells them but I believe they still have the chrome/black SS1s in 15" sizes. My next choice would have been Cragar SS 15s, they look good on anything!!

joe_padavano

Wheel size is irrelevant. TIRE outside diameter and width is what matters. Offset on the wheels will need to be near zero to allow the widest possible tire to fit.

zeeke

I'd assume the 68' is similar to the 71' so if that is the case you have no clearance at the back of the tire but you could get away with an 8" wheel as long as it comes out towards the wheel well. If you are looking to stay stock and cannot find them there is a company in MI that widens stock rims. I looked into it, $30 to ship each way each rim and if memory serves me correctly, which is rare the older I get, it was $120 each rim to widen.

Cutlass217

Thanks!

Cutlass217

Good to know, thanks.

Cutlass217

I get the idea on what you’re saying, but I’m not terribly technical and it is sort of Greek to me was well. Ha. So if I wanted to go with a 17” wheel you’re saying it’s more of a tire size issue rather than the actual 17” part?

Fun71

I think the 70-72s have a lot wider rear wheel wells.

RetroRanger

I really like those rims Rob, your 68 looks great !!!

SWinner

I have Wheel Vintiques on my 68 CS. They are Olds SS1 reproduction wheels, 15X10 with 5 inch back spacing. Tires are BFG Radial TA's 295/50 R15. Nice and fat but maintains 26.6 inch height.

They look and drive great. 15X8 and 235/60 R15 in the front.

These wheels look like the original Olds SS1's. You have to look closely to determine that they are not the original 14 inch. Your original center caps will fit.

I have no issues with rubbing unless I have 2 back seat passengers and only during a dip or corner.

Steve

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/wheel...obile-ssi.html

Cutlass217

Looks good, I love that color on your car too!

Cutlass217

Steve, do you have a couple of photos of you ride you could share? Side shot and a shot showing the tire width from the rear bumper possibly?

SWinner

I've attached them to my original post

Cutlass217

Thanks, awesome car!

rob1960

Nice Supreme Steve!! That brings back lots of memories. My first car (mom's hand me down)was the same saffron/black combo like yours except it had the silver lower body color(never cared for that). It wasn't a nice as yours though!! Mine had black buckets with a column shift. I was thinking of getting the 10" rear wheels with the 295/50s for mine also but when I went to order the wheels they were no longer available in the SS3s that I wanted.