15" vs 14" Rims
15" vs 14" Rims
My Corsa currently has 15x7" rims. I am considering switching to 14" rims. Any opinions, pro or con, on switching to a smaller rim size ??
Alec
Alec
Alec Carlson
Dahlonega, GA
1965 Regal Red Corsa 4 Speed Turbo Convertible
Restoration "In Progress"...
Dahlonega, GA
1965 Regal Red Corsa 4 Speed Turbo Convertible
Restoration "In Progress"...
- caraholic4life
- Posts: 535
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- Location: Westminster, Maryland
Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
As you well know, 13" tires are becoming increasingly difficult to find in sizes we might want for our cars.
With that said, I would imagine that 14" and even 15" tire sizes may eventually have limited size availability as time goes on with a couple of exceptions.
My guess is that the common OE size tires for the 1960's and 1970's muscle cars will remain available for a longer time than some of the other options.
For a while, I had considered going with 16" or 17" wheels on my late coupe but decided to go with the 15's this time around.
With that said, I would imagine that 14" and even 15" tire sizes may eventually have limited size availability as time goes on with a couple of exceptions.
My guess is that the common OE size tires for the 1960's and 1970's muscle cars will remain available for a longer time than some of the other options.
For a while, I had considered going with 16" or 17" wheels on my late coupe but decided to go with the 15's this time around.
1962 95 FC Van
1964 Greenbrier Deluxe
1965 Monza Coupe
1965 Monza Convertible
Mid Engine enthusiast &
Prior Kelmark Owner
1964 Greenbrier Deluxe
1965 Monza Coupe
1965 Monza Convertible
Mid Engine enthusiast &
Prior Kelmark Owner
- bbodie52
- Corvair of the Month
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Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
Sizing Corvair Wheels and Tires
http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html
For the time being, I have chosen to retain the 14" GM Rally wheels and 14" tires on my 1966 Corvair Corsa convertible, even though tire choices have declined somewhat in the 14" and even 15" sizes. I have been running 14" tires on my Late Model Corvairs since the late 1960's. (The Goodyear tires shown in the pictures below are no longer manufactured).
My 1966 Corvair Corsa convertible in Florida in 2012.
Since I want to retain the Raised White Letter look, I recently purchased a replacement set of BF Goodrich tires for my car from The Tire Rack
https://www.tirerack.com/content/tirera ... epage.html
Front: BF Goodrich Radial T/A P205/70 R14 ($119.45 each)
Overall Diameter: 25.4" Revs per Mile: 821 Sect. Width: 8.2" Tread Width: 6.4"
Rear: BF Goodrich Radial T/A P235/60 R14 ($132.45 each)
Overall Diameter: 25.1" Revs per Mile: 829 Sect. Width 9.5" Tread Width 8.7"
My 1965 Corvair Corsa convertible at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts in 1980, just before I shipped it to my next assignment with the USAF in Germany.
http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html
For the time being, I have chosen to retain the 14" GM Rally wheels and 14" tires on my 1966 Corvair Corsa convertible, even though tire choices have declined somewhat in the 14" and even 15" sizes. I have been running 14" tires on my Late Model Corvairs since the late 1960's. (The Goodyear tires shown in the pictures below are no longer manufactured).
My 1966 Corvair Corsa convertible in Florida in 2012.
Since I want to retain the Raised White Letter look, I recently purchased a replacement set of BF Goodrich tires for my car from The Tire Rack
https://www.tirerack.com/content/tirera ... epage.html
Front: BF Goodrich Radial T/A P205/70 R14 ($119.45 each)
Overall Diameter: 25.4" Revs per Mile: 821 Sect. Width: 8.2" Tread Width: 6.4"
Rear: BF Goodrich Radial T/A P235/60 R14 ($132.45 each)
Overall Diameter: 25.1" Revs per Mile: 829 Sect. Width 9.5" Tread Width 8.7"
My 1965 Corvair Corsa convertible at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts in 1980, just before I shipped it to my next assignment with the USAF in Germany.
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
Brad, do you run the same size rims front and back ?
Alec Carlson
Dahlonega, GA
1965 Regal Red Corsa 4 Speed Turbo Convertible
Restoration "In Progress"...
Dahlonega, GA
1965 Regal Red Corsa 4 Speed Turbo Convertible
Restoration "In Progress"...
- bbodie52
- Corvair of the Month
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Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
Yes, I usually use 7x14 wheels.
According to the Tire Rack, the specs for the BF Goodrich Radial T/A tire sizes I mentioned are...
P205/70R14 Rim Width Range: 5-7"
P235/60R14 Rim Width Range: 6.5-8.5"
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... mpare1=yes
According to the Tire Rack, the specs for the BF Goodrich Radial T/A tire sizes I mentioned are...
P205/70R14 Rim Width Range: 5-7"
P235/60R14 Rim Width Range: 6.5-8.5"
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... mpare1=yes
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
Frank Metasavage
65 Corsa 140 4 speed with Weber IDAs
66 Corsa 140 4 speed Stock
65 Corsa 140 4 speed with Weber IDAs
66 Corsa 140 4 speed Stock
- bbodie52
- Corvair of the Month
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Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
I have no idea. I bought the car in Florida in 2012 and have no idea if the springs are stock for 1966 convertibles or something else. It came with the 14" GM Rally wheels and Goodyear RWL tires.
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
Thanks. My cat is a little nose down. I believe but can't confirm PO cut front springs. Have seen a few with nose up front ends which Clarks says is normal for stock springs. Like a little lower than stock and like stance of yours. Just trying to figure it out. You are in SC, right?
Sent from my iPhone using Corvair Forum mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using Corvair Forum mobile app
Frank Metasavage
65 Corsa 140 4 speed with Weber IDAs
66 Corsa 140 4 speed Stock
65 Corsa 140 4 speed with Weber IDAs
66 Corsa 140 4 speed Stock
Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
Frank Metasavage
65 Corsa 140 4 speed with Weber IDAs
66 Corsa 140 4 speed Stock
65 Corsa 140 4 speed with Weber IDAs
66 Corsa 140 4 speed Stock
- terribleted
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Re: 15" vs 14" Rims
14" wheels will have taller sidewalls on the tires than 15" wheel to be at the proper overall diameter which you want to keep very close to the original 24.7" for so as not to effect overall gearing and speedo accuracy. This will result in a slightly smoother ride on rough pavement. Pretty much when considering 14 or 15 inch rims it comes down to look and personal preference. Overall diameter should be kept close to 24.7" with proper tire selection in either case...so wheel well fill will be similar. 15" tire profiles will be a bit wider at this diameter and of course the 14's will show 1/2" more side wall.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/
Located in Snellville, Georgia
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/
Located in Snellville, Georgia