Wheels / Tires: Tire suggestions for a Hawk GT 62

[MontrealHawkGT62]

Upon closer inspection of the tires of my recently purchased Hawk GT 62, I found out that I will need 4 new tires because those that are on the car suffer from dry rot and are bad.

The owners manual states that tire size is 6.7 X 15. A quick search online for conversion gave 205/75R15 and 215/70R15. I do not know what size I should buy.

Also, there is a choice between bias or radial.

Then I d like to put white wall tires. Then there are inserts available.

I don't want these tires to cost me an arm and a leg. What are you using for tires? Any suggestions?

[Captain Billy]

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Optimo+H724&sidewall=White%20Stripe%20.5-1.0&partnum=075SR5H724W&tab=Sizes

https://www.amazon.com/Hankook-Optimo-H724-All-Season-Tire/dp/B004QL6AVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527965227&sr=8-1&keywords=hankook+205%2F75%2F15

[3rdGenStude]

I had mounted 215/70/R15 Dunlop blackwalls on my 62 GT, just because that was what I found on sale at the time I needed them. At the same time, I got some Ford Crown Vic steel wheels to put them on. No clearance issues.

Paul

[christophe]

For what its worth, I'm very happy with my 185/15 Retro Classic. Moreover, they are not expensive. Dunno if you can find them in Canada, though.
Nice week-end to all.

[bensherb]

My '62 GT, Goodyear 215-70-15 ($50 ea. at Wal-Mart) on '93-'97 Ford Crown Victoria 15"x6.5" wheels ($8 ea. at wrecking yard) with 1" Port-o-wall white walls ($20 all 4 on ebay).

The stock factory wheels are not recomended for use with radial tires. They tend to crack. Use a later wheel designed for radial tires.

[MontrealHawkGT62]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]72931[/ATTACH] My '62 GT, Goodyear 215-70-15 ($50 ea. at Wal-Mart) on '93-'97 Ford Crown Victoria 15"x6.5" wheels ($8 ea. at wrecking yard) with 1" Port-o-wall white walls ($20 all 4 on ebay).

The stock factory wheels are not recomended for use with radial tires. They tend to crack. Use a later wheel designed for radial tires.

You got a good deal on your portawalls. How long ago you bought them? The crown Victoria rims were a good deal. I bought 4 used one at the scrapyard for 20$ CDN a piece. You mentioned the size as being 15 inchesby 6.5. I reckon that 6.5 inches is the width of the rim, right? Bolt pattern is 5 X 4.5 ? Most probably they will be black and I wonder if I should not paint them white. Car is off white and I will order white portawalls. Overkill?

[3rdGenStude]

Ford Wimbledon White is a pretty close match for the off white the Stude wheels were painted in 62.

Paul

[RadioRoy]

They should be 215/75 R15. That's the closest to the original tire's overall diameter and as skinny as can be bought. 205/75 R15 ore OK, too.

The original tires were 85 aspect ratio, so the closest is 75 aspect ratio. I would not pout 70 aspect ratio tires on an old car.

All of these tires are too wide for the original 4.5" wide wheels. 6" wheels are preferred.

[StudeRich]

Keep in mind also, even though 1962 was the Last Year for Wide Whitewall Tires, the 1963 to 1966 Design Narrow White Walls look GREAT and do NOT have to be bought from a "Classic Tire Co." for BIG BUCKS!

Cooper Trendsetter Tires:

P205/75R15	97S	440 A B	STD	WSW	5 - 7	5.5	8	26.97	5.12	20	1598	10.5
P215/75R15	100S	440 A B	STD	WSW	5.5 - 7	6	8.4	27.56	5.39	22	1742	10.5

http://us.coopertire.com/tires/trendsetter-se.aspx

You REALLY do NOT want to have Portawalls grinding and flopping on your sidewalls every time the Radial Tire sidewall flexes as it flattens on the bottom and becomes round everywhere else! They WILL Kill the tires!

[bensherb]

You got a good deal on your portawalls. How long ago you bought them? The crown Victoria rims were a good deal. I bought 4 used one at the scrapyard for 20$ CDN a piece. You mentioned the size as being 15 inchesby 6.5. I reckon that 6.5 inches is the width of the rim, right? Bolt pattern is 5 X 4.5 ? Most probably they will be black and I wonder if I should not paint them white. Car is off white and I will order white portawalls. Overkill?

Yes 6.5" wide, standard Ford /chrysler/ Studebaker and many others bolt pattern 5 on 4.5" (114.3mm).
My wheels were black, I stripped and painted them with an "Ivory" paint from Ace Hardware. I can't remember if it was their store brand or Dupont Krylon. I tries several different paints this matched the original wheels perfect. Ford Wimbleton White is too yellow.

I've never had any problems with Port-o-walls on any tire either bias or radial and have had them on a few cars. given the option I'd rather have actual white wall tires but they are pricey. The tires Rich mentioned arent too bad but they only com with a .75" white wall. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...BoCDHIQAvD_BwE

The 215-70-15 on the 6.5" wid wheels fit perfect under the GT like they are what it should have come from the factory with.

[Never Enough Studebakers]

I just bought off of the Walmart website, four P205/70R-15 Mastercraft tires. The photo on the website shows a white letter tire, but thats not what arrived. Mine are all black. I just needed a cheap tire to get the ole girl on the road. I am very happy with them so far. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mastercra...70R15/47406030 Side Note*** I am running a late 70's Ford aluminum wheel.

[MontrealHawkGT62]

Yes 6.5" wide, standard Ford /chrysler/ Studebaker and many others bolt pattern 5 on 4.5" (114.3mm).
My wheels were black, I stripped and painted them with an "Ivory" paint from Ace Hardware. I can't remember if it was their store brand or Dupont Krylon. I tries several different paints this matched the original wheels perfect. Ford Wimbleton White is too yellow.

I've never had any problems with Port-o-walls on any tire either bias or radial and have had them on a few cars. given the option I'd rather have actual white wall tires but they are pricey. The tires Rich mentioned arent too bad but they only com with a .75" white wall. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...BoCDHIQAvD_BwE

The 215-70-15 on the 6.5" wid wheels fit perfect under the GT like they are what it should have come from the factory with.

Would 205/75/15 tires fit on these crown victoria rims?

[StudeRich]

Would 205/75/15 tires fit on these crown victoria rims?

Of course they would, they are made for P205X75R15, P215X70R15 etc. modern RADIAL Tires.

However, 205's will fit better if you do not get crazy with the width.
Use EARLIER Ford 5 1/2, or 6 Inch Wheels not too Late; 7 Inch ones!

Rear Wheel Drive Chrysler Wheels also work fine, both with the Larger 13/16" Wrench Size Lug Nuts not 3/4" Stude. though.

[63looks59]

anyone consider a P2xx 65R15

[StudeRich]

A Rare/Oddball Profile like that would make it Hard to find proper Whitewalls and smaller sizes like P205, plus fewer Brand and Tire Model choices, not to mention failed tire replacement possibilities in a few years.