[Hooter]

Picked up a really nice 67 Bonneville convertible last week. Body on restoration done 15 years ago by a buddy of mine for his now deceased dad. Everything new/rebuilt. The factory 14" wheels and hubcaps just aren't doing it for me and will start looking over the winter for some 17" or similar size wheels. Really liking the MB style old school wheels. The fender skirts will stay on. What sizes will fit front and back without rubbing along with required back spacing? Tried doing a search on here but most hits were more for 8 lugs or rally 2's.

[Hooter]

Originally Posted by Hooter

Picked up a really nice 67 Bonneville convertible last week. Body on restoration done 15 years ago by a buddy of mine for his now deceased dad. Everything new/rebuilt. The factory 14" wheels and hubcaps just aren't doing it for me and will start looking over the winter for some 17" or similar size wheels. Really liking the MB style old school wheels. The fender skirts will stay on. What sizes will fit front and back without rubbing? Tried doing a search on here but most hits were more for 8 lugs or rally 2's.

Here's a crappy pic

[20milecar]

Don't have any answers but I'm wondering the same.

[MCronkGTO]

Here are some pics of my 67 GP with 17" wheels and fender skirts. Wheels are 17x8 4.5" BS. Tires are 255/40/17. When it is time to replace the tires I might go a little taller with a little more sidewall for a smoother ride.

Mark C

[OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door]

My 67 has 225/60/17 front,235/60/17 rears..

Just a note ,stud pattern is 5 on 5.
With my mags I had to machine the rear centres out to fit the wheels because of the axle that protrudes out from the drum..
John L.

[Hooter]

Thanks guys. Exactly what I needed.

[Hooter]

Mark - how close to the skirt is your tire? I"m assuming the wheel well is the same size as on my Bonneville.

[MCronkGTO]

Close but does not rub except for one condition. If I go up an incline (driveway) at an angle the body will roll to one side and occasionally a light rub. Not enough to damage tire or trim on fender skirt. I will take a measurement tonight.

MarkC

[incommunicado]

These are some I ordered a few years back. If I had it to over again I would probably go with 15's or 16's. The 18's are very hard to find tires that will work and in my opinion ride to hard. I do like the look though.

18 X 7 alum. billets from Wheel Vintiques w/ 4 3/4 B. S. They barely clear front and back, will rub the inside fronts at full turn, and I had to clip the bottom front edge of the front fenders. Hardly noticable though. Definately fills out the wheel wells.

The last picture is of a 67 GP I am working on now, 8 lugs with 15 X 7 wheels and redlines.

[MCronkGTO]

I saw your Bonneville in Dayton a couple of years ago, beautiful car. Is the GP your working on a 4 speed (saw the long tailshaft Muncie on the floor)? I agree that these low profile tires with very little sidewall ride stiff. I have 17" wheels on my GP and when it is time to replace the tires I might try and find a little taller tire or go to a smaller rim to get more sidewall and a softer ride. I have considered a nice set of 8 lugs in a 15 or 16 inch wheel but not sure how expensive that is?

I did measure the clearance on the rear wheels/tires to the inside of the fender skirt. It varies from side to side a little. Passenger side has about 1/2" front and almost 3/4" at rear of fender skirt. Driver side is a little tighter with about 1/4" front and 5/8" rear clearance.

Mark C

[incommunicado]

Originally Posted by MCronkGTO

I saw your Bonneville in Dayton a couple of years ago, beautiful car. Is the GP your working on a 4 speed (saw the long tailshaft Muncie on the floor)? I agree that these low profile tires with very little sidewall ride stiff. I have 17" wheels on my GP and when it is time to replace the tires I might try and find a little taller tire or go to a smaller rim to get more sidewall and a softer ride. I have considered a nice set of 8 lugs in a 15 or 16 inch wheel but not sure how expensive that is?

I did measure the clearance on the rear wheels/tires to the inside of the fender skirt. It varies from side to side a little. Passenger side has about 1/2" front and almost 3/4" at rear of fender skirt. Driver side is a little tighter with about 1/4" front and 5/8" rear clearance.

Mark C

yes a 4 speed car, and I would budget 3K+ for a set of 8 lug drums, new 15in wheels and new tires. I agree on the clearance in the rear, as my experience in the Bonnie was 1/2 inch +, -.

[20milecar]

Hope I'm not thread jacking but I'm in the same situation. I think I'm going to go with torque thrust 16x7 4"bs with a 245/50/16. Hope I'm making the correct choice

[MCronkGTO]

Here is a great link to compare tire sizes (actual measurements). There is some variance between brands of the same size tire but these are a good reference.

http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-chart/

MarkC

[TimeWarp]

There is a wheel fitment tool you can buy, and bolt it onto your hub, set it for different wheel sizes, etc and spin it around to check for inside and outside clearances. The one I know of is called Percy's wheelrite, but there may be others. One guy on another forum bought one then resold it after to recoupe some of the $ spent. I think they are $75-$95.

[Nickv]

I just purchased 17x8 Cragar 69 wheels with 4.5" BS for my 67 GP. Since I think larger wheels look better with more sidewall I'm going with 225-60/17 tires. They will be essentially the same dimensions as my 225-70/15 tires I now have on the car now.