I am buying a set of ss1 repro wheels off wheel vintiques. I am wondering what width and backspacing I should buy. I want to keep all four tires the same size. What is the biggest wheel I can fit under this car? Thanks, dave

 

What did you have in mind? For overall good looks I wouldn't go bigger than a 17" wheel. Someone will have better info on the tire size so you don't get rubbing on the front when turning.

I run 225/70/14 on my 72 and I like the way it looks/handles. If you go to bigger wheels, you thinking of going down to 50 series tires? Please don't make the car into a DONK.

 

I bought my repo SS1's from Summit. 15 X 7s with 245/60/15 BF Goodrich tires. They will provide correct back spacing when ordering. Summit offers a service to mount/balance the tires before shipping. All you have to do when they are delivered is fill the tires to correct psi and mount on the car. I have no complaints with mine. I used GM center caps.

Don W

 

You need to worry about offset, not backspacing. Backspacing varies with wheel width. Offset is independent of wheel width. Stay as close to zero offset as possible.

 

I already have brand new 15' bfg's on mine so i am going to stick with the 15's I can swap the tires to the new wheels. Just checking on backspacing and offsetright now. Thanks for the info. i was also looking at summit so I guess I just need to give them a call. thanks, Dave

 

I am trying to get the widest tire but also keep the factory look with this. I would never make it into a DONK> Not my style. Can I get 8" wheels to work? Or should I get 7"?

 

My wheels are SSIII. They measure 14X7. So if you went to 8" I don't think it would be a big issue. Just pay attention to what JP said about offset. Any chance you can take your car down to the shop and mock up the wheel while the car is on a hoist, just to see how it will fit?

 

Wow! 15 ft tires? That redefines "donk"...

Seriously, 15"x8" rims will fit fine with near-zero backspacing (depending on the tire profile, of course). Zero backspacing on an 8" wide wheel will be about 4.25". Backspacing for zero offset is always just over half the wheel width because backspacing measures from the outside of the wheel lip, width is between the inside of the bead seating surfaces.

 

Now THAT's funny!

 

Someone needs to learn how to use a shift key. 15" tires.

 

Yeah, we got that, but it was an easy joke at your expense.

 

Joe, I think you meant Zero offset would be @ 4.25.
OP, here is a little chart I used some time ago. You may find wheels that are listed as offset or backspacing, so this could help.

 

Yes, you are correct. Sorry about the confusion.