[BLUE1968XR7]

Just bought a 68 cougar, tires are all mismatched and dry rotted and the wheels are rusty. Looking to get a nice staggered set. I looked up the list on this forum of all the sizes and I'm thinking of 15in wheels.... 7 in front and 8 in back. 215 60 or 225 60 with some 275 60s out back. Anyone have pictures of this set up? Anyone have any advice or think the 275s will rub? Please help. Wanted to go with magnum 500s or cougar 24 series wheels. Every little bit helps thanks

 

[CollinsCougar]

There is a whole thread about wheel and tire combinations: http://www.mercurycougar.net/forums/showthread.php?14221-List-of-Wheel-amp-Tire-Size-Combos

I can't comment on the 275s on a 68, seems a little wide...

 

[Jan Ove]

275 is too wide for an 8" rim, for that wide tire you would need atleast 9" rim, preferrably 9.5" rim
I would og max 245 on 8" rims.
I have 215/60-15 on 7 in front, and 235/60-15 on 8 in rear on my car.
When i had 18" Wheels, i had 235 on 8" in front, and 275 on 9.5" in rear

 

[berns68]

I had P235/60R15's on the front on 6" rims and P275/60R15's on the rear on 8" rims with air shocks on my 68. When I replaced the rear springs and eliminated the air shocks the rears would rub when going over tracks or additional people in the car. I just replaced the tires and wheels with P215/60R15's on 7" rims upfront and P255/60R15's on the rear. This kept the staggered stance I like too and greatly increased the clearance. Also now my speedometer reads within 2 MPH where as before I was 6-7 MPH under my actual speed.


BTW the BF Goodrich website will give you all the info on a particular tire regarding actual dimensions on width, diameter, acceptable rim widths, etc. Seems most going stock or sticking with the 60's vibe choose Radial T/A's.

 

[68XR-7Cat]

We just installed a set of Cragar SS 8" rims with Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T tires on a customer 72 Olds Cutlass. We also did the staggered look on his, using 275/60R15's in the rear and 255/60R15's in the front. The 8" rim is what M/T recommended on their website for the 275, while they recommended 7.5" rim for the 255's. These sizes are too big for a Cougar, but there should be no problem putting 275/60's on an 8" rim.


I had 235/60's on the front of my '67 GT and had fender rubbing problems on turns and going over speed bumps, so I went back to the 225/60's front and rear.

 

[jk69cat]

go 17 or 18 and forget the smaller sizes, it will wake the car up and tires/sizes are much more plentiful and cheaper
fyi 15" is great if you have a trailer or a subcompact car

 

[Bad69cat]

+1 the tire choices get much better going to a 17" + rim.

 

[69cat&stang]

not everyone likes the old wagon wheel look on a classic cars. i don't really like it and i had thought of going to bigger rims on my mustang. After the car show this past weekend I decided to stick with the 15" and go to the 295/50/15 on the rear instead of the 255/60 i have now on my 15x8's. i like the look of the sidewalls on the 15" compared to bigger rims. just my 2 cents. Some do look good, it's your car buy what you like because you will get varying opinions.


you do get more tire choices but then you pay more for the rims so it's 6 of one and half dozen of other. take a look at what Weld Racing has. they have some nice looking 15" rims listed on there right now but they are pricey

good luck