I don't get it...tire and wheel size(solved)

[junior]

This spring I installed new wheels and tires on my 1954 Coupe. I installed 215-70-15's (26.9" tall) on the front, and 255-60-15'(27.0"tall)on the rear. The front wheels are 6" wide, the rears 7" wide. I am convinced that the front tires look taller than the rears and I don't understand why. Do I need to go to a lower height of tire on the front to make it look 'right', if so, how small? Why does my car look this way? The old tires I took off it were 205-75-15's (27.1"tall) front and back and with this combo I never got the impression the front tires looked taller. I just don't get it and I thought I did my homework before I purchased....any ideas? Anyone else run into this problem with their c/k's? The more I look at my car the more it bugs me. Thanks, Junior

[doug]

I think a 70 series tire is 70% as tall as it is wide, a 60 series is 60% as tall as it is wide. If both the pair of tires were the same series, the 255 would be taller than the 215. The 75 series tires you took off would be taller then 60 or 70 series tires.

I did it the other way with 70 series on the back and 60 series on the front. It now goes down hill all the time.

[PackardV8]

Two quick thoughts:

1. Are the tires the same manufacturer, series and type? In otherwords, do the sidewalls read and look the same?

2. On a 7" rim, the rear tire is spread wider and thus larger in circumference. This makes it effectively lower.

jack vines

[bob1944]

the series tire size 60,70,75,or 55 refers to the aspect ratio of the tire. it's a mesure from bead to bead. As some one said different rim widths may make a tire smaller or taller in hieght.

[junior]

Yes, the tires are the same (FireHawk Indy 500's) and from the tread veiw when mounted they appear the same height(photo 2), but when viewed from the sidewall the front tire (left side on photo 3) actually seems slightly taller than the rear tire(right side on the photo3), and this is what I don't get. I think the sideview of the car shows the front tire looks taller than the back.

Bottom line, has anyone else run into this problem??

What size of front tire would put on to correct this problem??

Once again, thanks for any insight you can provide because I really don't want to keep buying and trying tire sizes to get it right. Thanks, Junior

[Dougie]

I think you might be dealing with a bit of an optical illusion because the front tire is completely exposed, while the back is covered by the body at the top. It just makes the front look bigger because you're seeing more of it.

[junior]

Dougie...it is an illusion, I know, but what do I do to un-illusion it? Smaller diameter front tire, larger diameter rear tire, lower the front, raise the rear??? How come no one else has come across this problem? Thanks for any insight. Junior

[jlmccuan]

It's not an illusion. The wider rear wheel spreads the beads farther apart and you lose overall height on the rear tire. With only .1" difference mounted on identical width rims, you're upside down quickly with a 1" difference in wheel width.

[woodysrods]

Junior you may have to go to a 205 70 series on the front or get a 215 60 series to get rid of that look. I see it and it would drive me crazy too. How about chopping the top 3/4" ?????? Stay tunned!
Brian

[Pat Dilling]

I agree on going to the same aspect ratio on both tires but going narrower on the front. A 205/60-15 would be 24.7 inches tall and lower the front of the car about an inch which would give you that nice rake you are looking for. The 205/60 is also slightly wider than the 215/70 if that is a concern.

Pat

[woodysrods]

Hi Juinior Just went out to the shop to check what is currently on the front of my Hawk. I have a customers 215 60R on 7" rims. And they look great!
Brian
PS Love your wheels!

[junior]

How about chopping the top 3/4" ??????
Brian

Wiseguy...I can't even get my tire sizes right...how would I ever go about chopping my roof??

Thanks for your suggestions Brian and Pat, down to the tireshop I go (again). Junior

[N8N]

meh, I dunno. I have 215/60 on the front and 245/60 on the rear of my '55 and the fronts look a little rubber-bandy. 7" wheels all around. Only reason I have those front tires is they are almost worn out tires off my old 944 that I threw on there to get it rolling and reasonably safe for shakedown purposes. Maybe it'd look better if I chopped a half coil out of the front or something.

nate

[woodysrods]

Gord here are the 215 60R on 7" rims on my hawk.

[woodysrods]

Hi Gord Teaser picture of chop....working on doors today.
Brian