Wheels / Tires: Radial Tire Size for '49 Champion?

[southbend]

The more online research I do, the more I'm confused. The '49 Champion needs new tires because of typical dry rot cracking on the sidewalls due to age. I know the correct size radial replacement size is P195/75R15. I also know that this is an obsolete size except through specialty antique tire companies. In the forum archives and on online conversion charts I've found, I've seen some opinions that the P205/75R15 is an acceptable substitute even though it is slightly wider. P205 is currently on the car. I've seen others say, no, go with the more expensive 195 to keep the proper width--it's important. The car won't be driven a lot--not a daily driver. But I realize that tires are not a place to skimp. I'm CASO, but not when it comes to safety items. Still, I don't want to spend any more than I really have to on a hobby car. I will probably go black wall and this isn't a show car, so white wall width and authentic profile is not a concern for me. Your thoughts?

[rkapteyn]

These P195/75R15 tires were used on Chrysler small vans.

http://www.cokertire.com/p195-75r15-american-classic-3-4-whitewall-tire.html

Robert Kapteyn

[50pete]

I've got p205/70/15's on the front & p235/70/15's on the rear of my 50 champion starlight with stock rims, put about 1,000 miles on it last year, drives & rides great. there cooper cobras from discount tire, get online pricing(without shipping) & they will match, saved about 80 bucks

[raoul5788]

235s on stock rims? How wide are the rims?

[Greenstude]

My 1947 Champion has B.F.Goodrich Touring T/A tires, size 175-80R15, which appear to be a good substitute for the 195-75R15. Personally, I would be reluctant to go with wider tires on the narrow rims.

[southbend]

My 1947 Champion has B.F.Goodrich Touring T/A tires, size 175-80R15, which appear to be a good substitute for the 195-75R15. Personally, I would be reluctant to go with wider tires on the narrow rims.

I just went to the B.F. Goodrich website. They don't show this size available. I see 195/65R15 tires are available from various manufacturers. Since no one has mentioned this, I'm assuming the smaller aspect ratio is somehow problematic?

[Stude Star]

I'm just about to put new tyres on, looking at 195/70/15's at the moment, my car is lowered so the reduced sidewall should work out. Will post pics when done.

P.S - I'm taking about the red stude, not the blue one in the pics, that has 17's

[Stude Star]

I just went to the B.F. Goodrich website. They don't show this size available. I see 195/65R15 tires are available from various manufacturers. Since no one has mentioned this, I'm assuming the smaller aspect ratio is somehow problematic?

I took the spare from my van and put it up against the side of the Stude. It's a 195/65/15 and looks way smaller than the G78 15, wouldn't look right from what I gathered but what do I know?