[DeTomaso] Tire Sizes

MikeLDrew at aol.com MikeLDrew at aol.com
Sat Feb 18 20:05:46 EST 2012


In a message dated 2/18/12 15 30 57, forestg at att.net writes:


> Roydon,
> The original tire was a 215-70-15 that was 26.9-27 inches tall.
> 

Forest,

The original tire size on a widebody (which is what he is asking about) is 
a 345/35-15, which is only 24 inches tall.   Put a 27-28-inch tall tire on a 
car designed for 24-inch tires and it looks really weird.

If I had a widebody car, I'd do everything I could to keep 15-inch tires on 
it, even if that meant using race rubber or speciality dual-purpose rubber.

Actually, the rear tires are easy--you can buy Pirelli 345/35-15 rear tires 
all day long.   It's the 285/40 front that is the challenge.   Depending on 
how much you drive the car, you might be able to get away with running Avon 
or Goodyear race tires, or street-legal Michelin TB-15 race tires.   Sure, 
they might only last 5000-6000 miles, but how many years will it take you to 
achieve that kind of mileage?   The Michelins are available in appropriate 
sizes for both ends of your widebody car.

Buying expensive tires for your existing wheels (which make the car look 
proper) is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying new wheels and expensive tires 
for those wheels (which make the car look weird).

Mike



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