1957 Widest & Tallest Tires

[bruce1]

I am replacing my biased tires on my 1957 Thunderbird, with radials. I would like to have the widest/tallest tire possible. I have researched. And I am not sure if the 215-75R14 Coker radial tires would be touching the ball joints in the front? Anyone have these tires on their 57 Thunderbird? I know the 205-75R14’s will work.. but wanted a little taller/wider if possible. Thanks

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[biddle]

I've updated your subject from "Tires for 1957 Thunderbird" to 1957 Widest & Tallest Tires.

 

[AlaskaG]

I am replacing my biased tires on my 1957 Thunderbird, with radials. I would like to have the widest/tallest tire possible. I have researched. And I am not sure if the 215-75R14 Coker radial tires would be touching the ball joints in the front? Anyone have these tires on their 57 Thunderbird? I know the 205-75R14’s will work.. but wanted a little taller/wider if possible. Thanks

Just replaced mine. Went with 205s

 

[OhioTbird]

Just replaced mine. Went with 205s

you have two TBirds? That's not fair ...

 

[55blacktie]

215/75R14 tires are 26.7" in diameter. I have 215/70R15 tires on my 55, which are 26.9" in diameter. I have no clearance issues in front. However, if you have skirts, particularly if you ever intend to put spoke wheels/w skirts, I would not go larger than 205/75R14. Without skirts, 215/75R14 should be okay, as long as your rear clearance is equal to or greater than the 55's. This, of course, is based on your springs not being warn out and your ride height being correct. The rear clearance is tighter than the front. If you go with aftermarket wheels, make sure they have the correct backspace/offset. 215/75R14 and 215/70R15 are the same width at 8.46."

 

[Ken Carr]

Just last week I installed 215/75/15 American Classic radial tires on my '57 (I needed 15 inch wheels to clear front calipers) they fit perfectly, even with the skirts !

 

[Ward 57]

Tire sizes are very misunderstood. The first number is the width and the second number is the is the height/width ratio. 205/ 75 X 14 is the closest to the original bias ply tires. Any wider and you will not be able to use the fender skirts. Finding a tire that is thinner say an 80 aspect ratio and taller would be almost impossible unless you want to spend over $ 200/tire or more for a custom size. Now you are almost talking truck tires. Any taller would throw off your speedometer also. Fewer revolution/mile.

 

[Greasy2]

I am replacing my biased tires on my 1957 Thunderbird, with radials. I would like to have the widest/tallest tire possible. I have researched. And I am not sure if the 215-75R14 Coker radial tires would be touching the ball joints in the front? Anyone have these tires on their 57 Thunderbird? I know the 205-75R14’s will work.. but wanted a little taller/wider if possible. Thanks

 

[Greasy2]

I have replaced the tires on my 56 Bord and have gone with 17" rim x 8" wide configuration without anyproblems. Cloys 17 " wheel with Firestone 215/55R17 tires, looks and drives great.

 

[OhioTbird]

I recently replaced all the Bias with Coker radials on my 57. Classic, 750R14. Fit and look nice. No issues with the skirts.

 

[CSPIDY]

I'm running 215/70R14s on my 57 with skirts. I added 10mm spacers on the front and had to do some massaging on the skirts.
I also added the rear stabilizer. no issues at all

 

[MRansom]

my 56 has P215-R75/15 worked fine until tires were rotated & began rubbing on passenger side skirt.

 

[poboy]

I recently replaced all the Bias with Coker radials on my 57. Classic, 750R14. Fit and look nice. No issues with the skirts.

What is the offset?

 

[55blacktie]

Why 8-inch rims for 215 tires? 6-inch sufficient, 7-inch fine, 8-inch wider than recommended.

 

[Greasy2]

8" because it's beefier looking and it is just cooler.

 

[Lionel]

I'm running 215/70R14s on my 57 with skirts. I added 10mm spacers on the front and had to do some massaging on the skirts.
I also added the rear stabilizer. no issues at all

Hi, what brand stabiliser did you use?

 

[CSPIDY]

Hi, what brand stabiliser did you use?

I purchased the 1 inch stabilizer that CASCO sells

 

[55blacktie]

Greasy2, it sounds like you're still having fun. I'm 66; been walking the straight-and-narrow for so long, I've forgotten how. I told my brother I've been sober for over 40 years and have regretted it ever since.

 

[Greasy2]

Still having fun at 75 and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Sending a pic of my 56 with the wheels; I think it looks more today than yesteryear

 

[55blacktie]

I would be careful with those inverted shackles. If you hit a bump/pothole hard enough, they will revert to their correct position, thereby upsetting the car's handling while in motion.