Changing from 14" to 15" wheels and tires

[missioncritical]

I need new tires, and I've decided to change to 15" wheels.  My '70 Cuda originally came with 14".  I've read the posting on tire/wheel combinations until I can't stand to read anymore and this is what I've come up with:

- I want the original style Rallye wheel
- I want a 7" on the front and an 8" on the back
- The 7" wheels seem to all come (Wheel Vintiques/Coker) with a 4.25" BS.  I am thinking of going to a 235/60 on the front, but others seem to use a 4.5" BS.  Will a 4.25 be OK with that size on the front ?
- The 8" wheels come with a 4.5" BS, and I was thinking of a 275/60 due to me liking a wide tire, and I want a little down rake to the car, and this would do it.  On a '70 Cuda, will the 275/60 stick out and look funny or is it tucked under the fender (more or less).

Are there other suppliers besides Wheel Vinques and Coker ?

Thanks in advance

-Kevin

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Kevin,

  I can't help much, but I'll be the first to chime in. I kept the 14" wheels on my front, and went 15" on the back. So I really don't know what backspacing you would need up front, but the 235's in a 60 series is definitely the tallest you can go up there. Out back, I have 255's in 60 series. If you want 275's they will fit if your springs aren't sagging too much. They will tuck under, but saggy springs might make them rub on the outer wheel well.

  Mike

EDIT:

  Here is a pic where you can see the rear tires tuck in if the car sits high enough.


   

[67vertman]

I got my 15x8 with a 4 1/2 inch back space from Jegs.  They sell the Vinques for a lot less money and when I got mine they offered free shipping. 

[missioncritical]

Thanks for the replies.  Nice cars too.  Hopefully, mine will be picture worthy someday.  Its yellow with a black vinyl top, and I just can't get used to the top.  But its 100% original, so I'm changing things slowly.

I've decided to go with the 255/60 in the rear, as that will take care of any problems.  The 275 might have produced a bit too much of a difference with the front, so with the 255/60 in the rear and a 235/60 in the front, there will be a 1" difference, ie not much.

My original center caps sort of match the color of the rim now, and when I looked at the cap options for Vintiques, they have a light and dark cap.  I assume I want the light gray color.  What colors are the caps in the picture ?

Thanks

-Kevin

[HemiOrange70]

I have 275/60 15 4.5 bs cragars in rear and 245 60 front  i have to check the bs

[DocMel]

Supposedly, you had to to get the Hemi front fenders option if ordering 15" wheels or the fenders will rub against the tires

I have found out thats totally BS:  While if you did order 15" tires, you did indeed get the hemi front fenders that came with that option;  but Ive slant 6 71 Barracuda  (now with 440), but with the original/regular front fenders:  Ive been running 5 x 8 rally vintages that clear just fine with no "hemi" fenders...

I dont know:  Maybe the original bias plys back in the day had a larger profile than the radials today today.......