69 Z-28 Tire Size

[mcharter]

Just wanted to confirm what I think to be the case before tire purchase.  Looking to get some new tires for 69 Z with stock wheels, suspension etc.  Would be Radial TA's.  Question is size.  I want to come fairly close to the original tires which I think were E or G 70-15.  A little bigger would be OK but I  would  like a look close  to stock appearance and not have any rubbing problems.  I found a post from JohnZ from 11/2009 and he recommended 215/65-15 TA's.  Would that seem to fit what I am looking for?  Thanks

[william]

Original tire size was E70 x 15.

Those should fit without problem with one exception. If your car is a Rally-Sport tire clearance is limited by the actuator brackets/shields. Back in the day it was not unusual to see holes in the shields from tire contact. Z/28s had a lower trim height and at full LH lock the left tire [205s] on my RS would occasionally contact the inner fender.

Mount one wheel/tire and install it on the left front. If that has no issues the others should be fine.

[Dusk_Blue_Z]

If its a non-RS Z, 235/60's fit great and don't rub. They are 26.1" in height, compared to the 26.5" of the original tire.

A 225/65 would be dead on, but I don't think the make them in a BFG.

[JohnZ]

235/60's seem to be the most popular and most frequently seen replacement size - that's what my '69Z had on it when I bought it 12 years ago; it has the original springs, and I had occasional rubs at 12 o'clock at the top of both front wheel opening moldings at full lock (like entering a driveway or parking space). I replaced them with 215/65's, which are dimensionally almost identical to the original E70-15's, and no longer have any rubbing (and the speedo is dead-on accurate). If you have new springs and your car sits a bit higher than mine, 235/60's may not be a problem.

[BillOhio]

I just got the 215/65s. Alot of the  sizes were back ordered and the only 235 I found was the Coker version. My car doesn't have power steering and my buddy reminded me that fat tire might be harder to turn too