Got to put set of SS wheels on '69. I realize this is an OPINION issue, but what are the historical experiences on 'look' and 'real world experience' between:

Going with Original 14"? Or moving up to 15"?

Sticking with 7" or moving up to 8"?

What size tire "looks" and drives/rides right on it? (Sounds like from search that most prefer the BFG tire right now.)

I want to keep it with the "look", but wonder if going to a 15" doesn't make more sense.

Anyone have an opinion?

Thanks

I don't think they look much different.
I prefer 15" wheels myself.
Figure the manufactures, have all but abandoned wheels, less than 15" dia.

If you want a concours show car, 14"
I run 15"x7" all around. It gives me a nice selection of tires to choose from, and fills the wheel well a little nicer.

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ACES member:#3722
68 SS-396 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/thads68.jpg) Best E.T. 13.533@106.42 m.p.h.
1st Car (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/thads68bu.jpg) 1984-86, original 6cyl, then 74-350, then 327, then 454 :)
68 Corvette (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tds68vette2.JPG) In the Family for 20 years.

Weekend Driver status. NOT concours....

Got a 7 year old that I'm trying to make sure knows "what kind of cars daddy used to like...".

Thanks!

I have the same concerns about which to use, 14" or 15" for my 69. Right now I have 15" rallys with MT indy proile tires on the back (I have to change the fronts). I like the MT tires but I also like the SS rims better but don't want to spend the money that 15" rims cost. I'm seriously considering buying 14" used rims for a lot less and restoring them myself. I've seen 69's with 14" SS Rims and BFG TA radials with the white lettering and they look good.

Just my opinion but I like 15's on the back and 14's on the front. I think it gives the car a little subtle (more aggressive looking) forward lean... which I like a lot. I run 15X8 Wheel Vintiques SS wheels on the back of my 70SS with P275/R60 tires and P215/70R on stock 14X7 SS wheels on the front. The stance can be seen (somewhat) in the link in the signature. This type of set-up on a 69 should work and look the same.

The major drawback to this set-up is that you really need to carry 2 spares in the trunk especially if you have a posi like mine.

BTW: I run BFG T/A's on all 3 of my cars

Mytmouse

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My 67 SS396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/Mytmouse67SS.jpg)
My 70 SS396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/Mytmouse70SSback3.jpg)
My 68 RSZ/28 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/MytmouseRedZ28.jpg)
All 3 Together (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/MytmouseAll3.jpg)
Mytmouse A.K.A. Robert Stacho
ACES Member # 04359

I would suggest the 15's. My first Chevelle had 14 inch rims with 235R60s on the front and 275R60s on the back. I would drag the driver side header on every speed bump in the neighborhood. My current chevelle has 15 inch rims with the same 235 and 275 set up and I have never had a problem.

Mytmouse, Beautiful cars - especially the 70 Chevelle ;). Which trim rings do you have on the 15" Wheel Vintiques rear wheels?

I was thinking about going with 15" Wheel Vintiques SS1 wheels with trim rings on my 70SS. Not sure if the stainless will look OK with the chrome spokes though. Thanks in advance!

[This message has been edited by cm70man (edited 11-25-2002).]

cm70man,

That is one of the drawbacks with the 15X8 wheels, I had to go with the wide Stainless trim ring and it definitely has a different appearance than the two 14" chrome ones on the front. I notice it a lot but really nobody has made an issue out of it at the cuizes and shows.

Also some people don't like the larger gap that is left (even with the wider trimrings). Personally that is not an issue with me. I have always like the SS wheel look on the 70 and especially with a black car I think it even looks a smidgen better.

Thanks for the kind words on the cars.

Mytmouse

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My 67 SS396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/Mytmouse67SS.jpg)
My 70 SS396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/Mytmouse70SSback3.jpg)
My 68 RSZ/28 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/MytmouseRedZ28.jpg)
All 3 Together (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/MytmouseAll3.jpg)
Mytmouse A.K.A. Robert Stacho
ACES Member # 04359

Thanks Mytmouse,

I'm looking to buy two 15X8 Wheel Vintiques for my 70SS (rear only) and am not sure which trim ring to go with. Summit has the one they say is for use on the 15X7 SS396 wheels for $31.25. They also have one for 15X8 OEM style and Aftermarket style, both for $18.00.

I was wondering if you went with any of these 3 and if so how do they fit. I know some trim rings have a "rounded" edge to them (like yours appear to have) where others are more of a sharp or squared edge like the factory trim rings on my 14" SS wheels. I don't mind a little more of a gap, I just want them to look right together with my factory 14" wheels and trim rings up front.

Thanks for any info you can provide!

Thinking of doing the same thing with my 69SS, can somebody address the trim ring issue above? I'd like to know before I order mine from Wheel Vintiques also.......thanks. JS