[61 389-348]

My Firestone Firehawks are about 12 years old and although they show no signs of cracking, the age has me concerned, and really concerned given how hard I corner (occasionally) and how fast I drive (frequently). Suspension has HD springs, fat sway bars and Bilsteins so the car is really tied down.

15" decent performance tires are getting to be as hard to find as 14s so I was thinking about 16s from BOP with 235/60x16 Michelin Primacys redlined by Diamondback Classics.

I'm also very concerned about looks and do NOT want this car to look donk. I've run 15s with 225/70x15 Firestone Firehawks on my 61 Ventura and I thought it looked great, but 70 series Firehawks aren't available anymore. I won't use the ancient BFG T/A radial.

Anyone have 16" 8 lug wheels on their B-body? Any pics you can post?

I want to keep my current look as much as possible.

And I'm not kidding that I roll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wH7F...jizH4zOEKek8zg

[61 389-348]

and by donk I mean not this

http://youtu.be/PUzdDXizRe8

or looking like this

http://youtu.be/wzvcGnbKhgY

[Ragtop Man]

Radial T/A is still OE fit for GM on Camaro base vehicle, FWIW. Not sure if BFG still produces or sublet to Indonesia or some other craphole.

[mike nixon]

BFGs are still domestically made, or they still run plants here.

It's one reason I buy them.

Mike

[61 389-348]

Originally Posted by Ragtop Man

Radial T/A is still OE fit for GM on Camaro base vehicle, FWIW. Not sure if BFG still produces or sublet to Indonesia or some other craphole.

It's probably OK, but it's just an ancient tire ... at least the 70 series redline version that's used so frequently in the hobby. I tossed out a set way back in the days before ebay in favour of the Firehawks because the Firehawks were far better tires.

I really don't want to go 16" because I feel that will be a bit obvious and not look quite right with the 8 lugs. Conversely, I think the 15" look even better than the 14s.

Last night I found this in a 225/70R15"

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Firestone Destination LE2 .... It says it's a CUV, SUV, light truck tire, but I'm not sure what difference that would make. One problem I see is that sideway has all sorts of **** on it, which will make it real difficult for Diamondback Classics to scrape all that crap off and do the redline.

[61 389-348]

I'm going to go BOP 16 x 7" with 4.25" back spacing in chrome with Michelin Primacy 235/60x16s redlined by Diamondback Classics. Has anyone used 16 x 7s on a 63 / 64? Any issues?

[61 389-348]

Originally Posted by 61 389-348

I'm going to go BOP 16 x 7" with 4.25" back spacing in chrome with Michelin Primacy 235/60x16s redlined by Diamondback Classics. Has anyone used 16 x 7s on a 63 / 64? Any issues?

My tires got here last week from Diamondback Classics. I did end up going with the Michelin Primacy 235/60x16s done up as redlines. They cost me around $300 each with redlines so about $70 more per tire that the BFG T/A radial redlines. This gives me the same rolling diameter as the 8.25 x 14 originally equipped on the car. Plus, made in USA.

I'm waiting for Wade from BOP to get back to me with an ETA on the 16 x 7 chrome 8 lug wheels. I'm a little concerned regarding how it will look because I won't be running trim rings.

I hope this all works out and gives me a quiet smooth ride and decent handling. I think they will as the Michelin Primacy is rated #1 or #2 in Tire Rack's all season grand touring classification with plenty of selection available.

[Stuart]

It's up to personal preference, but if it were me I'd go with painted (silver or argent) wheels instead of chrome. I think maybe a 16" chrome wheel will have a little too much bling. On the '61 convertible I owned many years ago I had regular 14" 8 lug wheels painted silver with no trim rings, and I think I liked the way it looked better than with trim rings.

[61 389-348]

Originally Posted by Stuart

It's up to personal preference, but if it were me I'd go with painted (silver or argent) wheels instead of chrome. I think maybe a 16" chrome wheel will have a little too much bling. On the '61 convertible I owned many years ago I had regular 14" 8 lug wheels painted silver with no trim rings, and I think I liked the way it looked better than with trim rings.

"I think maybe a 16" chrome wheel will have a little too much bling."

This is my concern and fear. I don't want to end up here

http://youtu.be/PUzdDXizRe8

or here

http://youtu.be/WbtDVdYurWE

These look like 16s on the X-400

http://youtu.be/z46Pw-lN-x8

I think I'll be ok with that

The only trim rings I've found for the 16s are very much like the 60-62s. You'll see how it looks in Dayton.

And this would be real close

http://youtu.be/5zGrraZzkeU

Although I'm not sure if these are 15s or 16s. We just can't get decent tires for 14s or 15s anymore so I didn't have much choice. The Firestone Firehawks I have on there now are 12-13 yrs old, and not cracked at all on the outside, but from what I understand, age cracking happens from the inside out.

[61 389-348]

I got the tires mounted today and then on the car a little while ago. I'm heading out to lift weights so I'll post additional comments later, but for now some pics.

I've only driven it a few miles, but I will say that it's like driving on velvet and completely silent. Problem is what little steering precision I had is also pretty much gone. True, I haven't driven enough to run off the mold release compound so it might get a little better. This will finally force me to do a fast ratio, high effort steering box. Sure got the luxury car feel (or lack of) back.

Maybe looks a little bling IMO, but not donk.

[misterp266]

I like it! Nice choice. I would go for a new steering box though. I put one in my '66 Catalina and it makes a world of difference.
One comment on the wheels. It might look better if the black of the wheel matched the black of the drum. Other than that it looks great!

Rob...
lift weights? while that car sits? hmmmmm....

[mike nixon]

Looks great

[tom s]

When I bought my 61 Ventura it had factory 8 lugs and came with a set of 15x7 BILLET alu 8 lug wheels.Wished I took a pic before I sold them.Tom

[61 389-348]

Originally Posted by misterp266

I like it! Nice choice. I would go for a new steering box though. I put one in my '66 Catalina and it makes a world of difference.
One comment on the wheels. It might look better if the black of the wheel matched the black of the drum. Other than that it looks great!

Rob...
lift weights? while that car sits? hmmmmm....

"It might look better if the black of the wheel matched the black of the drum."

Actually it does ... same paint.

But yeah, its steering by remote control now so I'm going to have to do something. Man is it creamy velvety smooth quiet quiet silent in spite of how stiff my suspension is. I do have an issue with two of the wheels, but I'll give Wade a chance to get it corrected before I say much.

"lift weights? while that car sits? hmmmmm"

Oh yeah ... gotta keep those t its perky!!!! And we had just a hella down poor so I'm glad I didn't take the 63 to the gym with me

[61 389-348]

Originally Posted by mike nixon

Looks great

Thanks Mike

Oh, btw, the tires are made in the USA.

[61 389-348]

Originally Posted by tom s

When I bought my 61 Ventura it had factory 8 lugs and came with a set of 15x7 BILLET alu 8 lug wheels.Wished I took a pic before I sold them.Tom

The BOPs look real strong, but they are heavy.

[61 389-348]

driving this is like

http://youtu.be/WH6UnvSlahc

Oh sheeyt ..... no road under me. Am I moving? Eight miles high? High maybe?

Any alignment suggestions to get some feedback through the steering back?

[61 389-348]

Put another 25 - 30 miles on the combo this morning and the tires are feeling a little better ... or should I say transmitting a little more road feel as I scrub off the mold release compound. Still creamy smooth and super quiet.

I guess this is a combination I can recommend. Since there's almost nothing in 14 and 15" anymore, we gotta find something. Coker charges $233 for 225/70x15 BFG T/A redlines and these were right around $300 as redlines so its very easily worth the $67 per tire IMO.

[61 389-348]

Originally Posted by tom s

When I bought my 61 Ventura it had factory 8 lugs and came with a set of 15x7 BILLET alu 8 lug wheels.Wished I took a pic before I sold them.Tom

Do you have any idea who made them? I think I went a little donk.

[mike389]

i got mine at http://www.bopengineering.com/pontiac_full_size.shtml for $1200. in Chrome
Cooper 235 65 r 16 tires

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...37280564005640