One last request for advice before I buy new wheels...

[James Romano]

Hiya fellas.. hope you and your families are all safe and healthy during this difficult time.

After working my *** off in the garage since November doing all kinds of updates, cleaning.. and painting... she's ready for a new set of shoes!

I'm ready to pull the trigger on wheels. After several weeks of research and looking at a ton of different styles... I decided to go with Wheel Vintiques (or Coker) 54 series Magnum 500 rims and Coker BF Goodrich Radial T/A's for a very early 70's classic look on my '65.

When I bought my Espo springs, I went with a 1" over stock height... and new KYB shocks, along with a new set of Mancini Racing front spring mounts. Seems to have gotten me the height and stance I wanted so far. So my choice on the tires...

Rears : 15x8" 255 60/r15's 4.5" B/S
Fronts: 15x7" 225 60/r15's (not sure if I need B/S here) was thinking 215's but thought that was too small.

After all I read and researched, this seems to be a good fit for my car.

I used 225/75-R14 vs 235/60-R15 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator | Tacoma World to check my tire sizes and specs... looks like I'll pick up even more rake in the front, which is what I'm looking for without all kinds of f'd-up shackle/shock mods swhich I won't do.

Any thoughts before I pull the trigger on this? I'm happy with my product choice.. it's the damn fit I worry about.. as everyone does not being able to try before you buy.

Thanks as always!

 

[dart4forte]

Hiya fellas.. hope you and your families are all safe and healthy during this difficult time.

After working my *** off in the garage since November doing all kinds of updates, cleaning.. and painting... she's ready for a new set of shoes!

I'm ready to pull the trigger on wheels. After several weeks of research and looking at a ton of different styles... I decided to go with Wheel Vintiques (or Coker) 54 series Magnum 500 rims and Coker BF Goodrich Radial T/A's for a very early 70's classic look on my '65.

When I bought my Espo springs, I went with a 1" over stock height... and new KYB shocks, along with a new set of Mancini Racing front spring mounts. Seems to have gotten me the height and stance I wanted so far. So my choice on the tires...




Rears : 15x8" 255 60/r15's 4.5" B/S
Fronts: 15x7" 225 60/r15's (not sure if I need B/S here) was thinking 215's but thought that was too small.

After all I read and researched, this seems to be a good fit for my car.

I used 225/75-R14 vs 235/60-R15 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator | Tacoma World to check my tire sizes and specs... looks like I'll pick up even more rake in the front, which is what I'm looking for without all kinds of f'd-up shackle/shock mods swhich I won't do.

Any thoughts before I pull the trigger on this? I'm happy with my product choice.. it's the damn fit I worry about.. as everyone does not being able to try before you buy.

Thanks as always!

View attachment 366055

View attachment 366056

do you plan using skirts

 

[James Romano]

no... I'm taking them off... BUT I am also keeping my old wheels and hubcaps so I can swap out at anytime... based on the shows I'm going to enter her in.

Basically... depending on how I feel... I can drive June Kleaver or Peg Bundy ... preferring Peg of course. LOL

 

[cbarge]

Doing the math the arse will be up by 2 inches more than the front with your front tire choice. and will be very noticable.
Is that what you are looking for? It may be too much,IMHO.
I would recommend going with a 21570R15 front tire.
Original tire size was 8.25-14 which is 27.5 inches tall. 2257514 is at 27.3
Your rear tire choice 25560r15 is at 27 so that is acceptable and works with the rear axle gear ratio.
The 22560R15 is too small for the front at 25.6. You may risk scraping and bumping the front.
Plus it may not look right with a huge gap between the top of the tire and fender lip. Meanwhile the back is all filled out with the meaty 25560's.
The 21570R15 is at 26.9
The 21570R15 and 25560R15 are well matched and the rake will come from the 1" over rear springs.
Besides,the 21570r15 will be more front end friendly.
I work in the tire business and done many old Mopes.
So please takee my recommendation into consideration.

 

[James Romano]

I will. That's why I'm asking. Thank you for the detailed response. Much appreciated!

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I'd go 255/60 all the way around. Handle better( rubber on the road) and tire rotation is a plus.

 

[cbarge]

I'd go 255/60 all the way around. Handle better( rubber on the road) and tire rotation is a plus.

That will work too even with a 15x7 rim on all 4 corners

 

[70bigblockdodge]

That will work too even with a 15x7 rim on all 4 corners

I have 255/60 on the front of my Charger on 15×7 Magnum 500

 

[Newport 66]

For what it's worth, I have 225/70-15's on 15 x7 front and 15 x 8 rear wheels.

 

[cbarge]

Wheels and tires are such a personal expression that there are many threads about them.
Purists be damned,LOL!
Nothing is cast in stone so let's hope the OP is happy with his final decision.
BTW,white car..go blackwalls with the Magnum 500's

 

[James Romano]

That's why I'm keeping the old rims and original hubcaps handy. I like the idea of going back to OEM look if I want to.

 

[MarPar]

IMHO, you can never go wrong with magnums.

Basically... depending on how I feel... I can drive June Kleaver or Peg Bundy ... preferring Peg of course. LOL

 

[MarPar]

May I suggest a set of knockoffs to finish off the look?

 

[Boiler_Gawd]

I went with a set of 1980 Cordoba wheels and 215-75r15 whitewalls from Cooper

 

[Boyd]

I had to bump up to 16 inch's after a disk brake conversion on the front. I reduced the tire size to get the same diameter. I think it looks great. Took me a lot of time and study though. Watch your backspacing.

 

[James Romano]

Doing the math the arse will be up by 2 inches more than the front with your front tire choice. and will be very noticable.
Is that what you are looking for? It may be too much,IMHO.
I would recommend going with a 21570R15 front tire.
Original tire size was 8.25-14 which is 27.5 inches tall. 2257514 is at 27.3
Your rear tire choice 25560r15 is at 27 so that is acceptable and works with the rear axle gear ratio.
The 22560R15 is too small for the front at 25.6. You may risk scraping and bumping the front.
Plus it may not look right with a huge gap between the top of the tire and fender lip. Meanwhile the back is all filled out with the meaty 25560's.
The 21570R15 is at 26.9
The 21570R15 and 25560R15 are well matched and the rake will come from the 1" over rear springs.
Besides,the 21570r15 will be more front end friendly.
I work in the tire business and done many old Mopes.
So please takee my recommendation into consideration.

Do I need to consider any backspacing for the front wheels?

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Do I need to consider any backspacing for the front wheels?

Mine are in the center at 3.5/3.5 and they are not close to the balljoint, a C body has a taller spindle but the brake drum sits out further. You can use a framing square to get a idea of how close to the ball joint you will end up. As mentioned other people have 15x7 on their cars with no issues or weird backspace.

 

[68_fury_ragtop]

One thing to keep in mind, I have heard from many people and seen on friends cars how the Wheel Vintiques Magnum 500 rims have a serious problem with rusting. I have been debating about installing a new set on my car, but after reading many posting, have decided to keep with the original moper magnum 500 rims and just clean up the paint. I will probably just keep my eye out for a good set of originals.
Here is a post on the FBBO site where may people chimed in about the various mfg. and quality issues on the repo magnums.

Wheel Vintiques Magnum 500 Wheel Quality

 

[Boiler_Gawd]

Would it not help if you buy those rims , and takw them to a body shop and have them professionally clear coated ?

 

[James Romano]

Not really. Clear coat helps, but still won't prevent rusting if they use a shitty process to chrome the wheels