What is the biggest tire size you can put on the front of a 1972 cutlass supreme convertible with 14" rims? It currently has 205/75/r14. I've tried BF Goodrich 225/70/r14 and they look awesome on the front, but I can't turn the car without the tires rubbing. Does anybody have any suggestions for a bigger tire on the front of the car?

Thanks,

Richard

 

225/70/14 should fit fine - its equivalent G70-14 was STANDARD on many 1970-'72 442s

is your car lowered, sagging springs, offset non-stock wheels, other modifications?

 

A 215-70-14 is in between the 2
Use this calculator to figure out tire diameters.
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-size-calculator

 

I know that you are looking to keep the 14's, but just as a suggestion, I put 235/60R 15's all the way around my '71 and they fit perfectly with no rubbing at all.

 

But then he'd have to buy wheels also. I agree, there is a larger selection of tires in the 15" range.

 

fyi, I have p245 60r14 on the front of my 72 cutlass covertable with all new front end and springs and it rubs a little if you crank it tight .

 

225/70-14 is the tallest commonly available 14" tire you buy today. Anything larger is a specialty repro tire from companies like Coker or Universal, and they are not inexpensive.
245/60-14s are an inch smaller in diameter than the 225-70-14. They are less than 3/4" wider.

 

Yes, I should've mentioned, I lowered it with 2" drop spindles and 2" drop springs. 10 years ago, I found Good year Wingfoot hp tire for my green car that was stolen, but I can no longer find this tire. It is no longer available. I just love the stance and I wanted to duplicate it. I also looked for my receipts on the tires and can't locate it.

Here are the tires from my 71 Cutlass that was stolen. It was lowered with 2" springs and drop spindles

 

So where is it rubbing? That may help determine if just a tire size change will help any.

I had 245-60-14s all around on my car until a few years ago when I switched to 245-60-15s, both on factory SSII / SSIII wheels. No rubbing issues with either size.

 

I just put 225/70/14 on mine 71 convert no rubbing but i would like to lower the rear.

 

The tires are rubbing @ the 10 o'clock position on the upper fender with the 225/70/r14. I also converted the front brakes from drum to disc brakes. Johnny olds44 did you lower your car in the front?

 

No, probably orig springs sagging
do you have a pic of the rub area?

 

I've been running 245-60-14s on SS1s for over 30 years on my '68, it rubs only the front sway bar on full lock, and not so bad that I can feel it, only can see the results (shiny spot on the sway bar). Springs are original 50 y/o springs, but probably doesn't effect the sway-bar rub.

 

Do you know what wheels are on the car, as in are the GM wheels or an aftermarket wheel? If GM, do you know what year and size they are? Just wondering if there may be an offset difference that's causing your rubbing issue.

 

We had 245/60/14's on my brother's 70 442 back in the late 80s and they never rubbed. But on a 72 they might. As I understand it, the front end geometry slightly changed from 70 to 72, calling for diff (longer?) brake hoses and possibly other part differences, and I noticed my 72s had a tighter turning radius than my 70s. 70s seemed to hit the stops a tad sooner when cranking the wheel.