Everyone has BFGoodrich.
I want to be different!
71 Superbee - 70's vintage 14" slotted mags;
245/60's on the rear now.
205/75's on the front now.

The tire size charts show 245/60's to be 25.6" tall. I don't want the front tires "taller" and the charts say the 205/75's are 26.1" tall.

Q:1 - are there any PROS or CONS with 14-inch or 15-inch tires on our old B-bodys? Is one better than the other?
Q:2 - who else, other than BFG makes RWL tires?
Q:3 - am I going to be able to find enough size options with someone other than BFG?
Q:4 - I notice there are far more size options with 15's than 14's; should I scrap the 14-inch rims and start from scratch with 15's?

Thanks in advance for your inputs, comments and opinions!

Ron

dont think they come in 75 series.

The 71 B bodies have GRAND CANYON sized wheel openings,....fill them with the largest 15 inch tire you can stuff in there! .....the 14's will look like "clown" tires!

With 14's you limit your options for future brake upgrades using factory brake swaps etc.Tyres are readily available in 15's but becoming rarer in the 14 's.I use 14's on an A-body for a retro look and use Bridgestone Eagers 245/60/14'S which I think are a nice looking combination.In hindsight I should have used a 15 inch rim to enable a future brake upgrade using larger rotors and eased tyre selection

Science question:

Is it any easier to spin 14" tires verse 15" tires when doing a burn out?

i just went thru this with my 69 ford van. i ended up getting the bfg's. the only other tire we could find in 14s were dean "stinger" i guess they are made by cooper. they ended up being unavailable in my size.

I am no scientist thats for sure For me the lower overall height helps some with the overall ratio.I have a 3.91 rear end ratio and lower overall tyre height gives me a little boost.These days I take things easier to avoid fines and burning up expensive rubber.

i think the biggest advantage of 15" over 14" wheels is tire options and availability...
also in my opinion the 15s looks much better.
14" wheels dont clear some disc brake setups.


Summit Racing offers some options, but not much, in 14 diameter.

Summit Racing

a 245/60-14 tire other than BFG is Cooper Cobra Radial G/T with a 205/70-14 matching front.
if you chose a smaller tire, in 235/60-14 you have Cooper Cobra Radial G/T and Mastercraft Avenger G/T, with 215/60-15 matching fronts.

if bias ply tires are no problem, you have Mickey Thompson Indy Profiles in L60-14 (295/60-14) and F70-14 (215/70-14)...


i personally think 15" wheels and tires are the way to go...
lots of brands make raised white letter tires in popular 15" sizes. in 275/60-15 for ex. you have: Firestone Firehawk Indy 500, Cooper Cobra Radial G/T, Mastercraft Avenger G/T, Goodyear Eagle GT II, Kelly Charger, Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTS, National XT Renegade, Dunlop G/T Qualifier TR, Laramie Performer HP, Telstar Turbostar GT, Republic Invader Radial G/T. in other sizes you can also find Hercules H/P 4000, Road King WIDETRACK SR...

if you like the slotted wheels, you can find 15" used ones in eBay with easy, and also new ones: web page


hope this helps

Miseaus -
Wow! Thanks for the ton of information - this is exactly the kind of advice I am seeking. The whole "hind-sight-is-20-20" and the "been-there-done-thats" and the more importantly - "in my opinion"...... Your comments and advice helped immensley - thank you!

when done dont forgget to post some pics!

depends on the width of the tread on each but all things considered equal,,,, hell yes.

I had no trouble finding Cooper Cobras anytime I bought them, and I've bought a bunch of them!

Another of my cars
EDIT: OOPS! These are Tiger Paws...

another

Mike,


the 14's on your runner look good,.......but were talking 1971 Dodge Charger Superbee!.....have you seen the size of those wheel wells, and qtr openings,......the 71 plymouth isn't even that big!.....the Charger stylest where thinking 4X4 off roading when they carved those "tunnel openings"

Yes' i've owed several 71-74 charger/superbees, the rear wells are larger 28" tire will fill it up.