jensenracing77

I have the 15 inch wheel option on our 4 speed Jetfire and I was very happy about it when we got the car. It turns out that I have no white wall radial tire options that are even close to original. My original tires are 6.00-15 and measure 26 inch diameter with an overall width of about 6.5 inches. Maxxis makes a thin 3/4 inch white wall but the closest tire I can get is a 205/70R15. Its width is 8.3 inches and 26.40 diameter. Does anyone know if it will fit without rubbing anything? I still need to measure but not even sure it will fit between the axle and quarter panel on the back to get it into place? What are you running on your 61-62 Cutlass? Anyone running something bigger than the 13 inch tires?

hurst68olds

I think you should be looking at stock VW bug tires 165/80/15, my dad got some generic radial tires at Discount Tire with a black wall.

if you want a white wall I think you will have to go with Coker BFGs with a 3/4" or 2-1/4" & twice the $$+

AFAIK Summit Racing is the best place to shop for price? 165R15 w/3/4" ww $156 each

hurst68olds

can you post overall & detail pics of your original spare? thanks!

jensenracing77

Here are pictures of the original spare tire

oldcutlass

600-15 equates to the old A78-15 which is 24.8" in diameter. The closest actual size for that tire is P165-75-R15 or a P175-R70-15. If you want a wide whitewall your only source is the Classic Tire outlets, Diamondback, etc...

jensenracing77

The tire in my picture is 26 inch diameter and it is a 6.00-15. The replacement tires on the car are also 6.00-15 and are just over 26 inch, about 26.20

oldcutlass

Depending on the chart used, one gets different dimensions. The size you posted are in fact the correct cross. The difference in diameter between the current tire your using and the P205-70-15 is approx. 1/2 inch or a radius difference of a 1/4 inch. Again, depending on the chart. I doubt that will create any issues.

barron1941

Hey Eric Im running 205 70 15 on the original 4.5 wheels on a 62 convertable with no issues & my 63 club coupe with 15x6 inch wheels & 205 70 15 I do get a little rub at times in the front at times on certain driveways with the 6 inch but with the 4.5 you should be fine.

joe_padavano

Eric,

I like tires that are just over 25" diameter on the 61-62 cars. I have 195/70-14s on the front and 205/70-14s on the back of my 62 wagon. My friend Scott has 215/60-15s all around on his 1962 Jetfire convert. In both cases the tires are right around 25" diameter and fill the wheel wells nicely. Scott got redlines from Diamondback Tires and they look really nice. Diamondback is a little spendy but they can make redline or whiteline tires in the sizes you want. Basically they take existing tires (like BFGs), buff the sidewalls smooth, and mold new sidewalls with the stripe you want.