Technical Tire size opinions needed

Looking for some opinions on tires. I am doing a favor for my dad and changing up the look of his Model A coupe, no fenders. It had garbage wheels and tires on it and I just bought him a set of 1954 Chevy wheels that are 15” x 5” wide. What tire sizes should I be looking for to achieve a big and little look? I am a bias ply guy and he wants radials so I am not sure what guys run to achieve the look. Pics of your car and tire sizes would help. Thanks.

 

Those narrow hoops on those wheels are going to make it real hard. Hopefully they are riveted to the 5" hoop.. Why not have the wheels sent to one of the wheel makers on this board. Have them remove the centers and put them on 7" or 8" hoops. Then maybe have them set the back space at 4" to 5".. What ever you can fit. You always want the tire center as close to the engine as possible.. You don't want to wheels to stick out or you will have a lot of bump steer issues. Every time you hit a bump or road ill regularity, the steering wheel will want to follow it..

I would use 225/70R15 tires.. I like the Cooper Cobra. If you buy them from Diamond Back they will remove all the sidewall markings and the tire will look the way the old tires looked..

 

I had 53/54 Chevy wheels on my 36 before, 5.60s in the front and 6.70s rear, could have gone larger in he rear. Is the Chevy bolt pattern going to fit on the Model A ? I'm sure you're way ahead of me on this but just curious. Mitch.

 

Those skinny wheels are great for the front. I would go for something like a 155/70R15 tire on the front and 235/70R 15 on the back.

 

To answer some questions yes his A has been redrilled in the front for Chevy bolt pattern and has a 12 bolt rear. Is is fenderless so that is why I opted for the narrow wheels. The wheels are factory riveted. I do have some 7 inch wide that I could put on the rear but I really like the look of skinnier tires on fenderless cars.

 

I am trying to talk him into bias look radials but they are pricey.

 

These are the wheels I took off because they were not his style or mine.

 

How about something like 560 front and 820 rear.

 

Nice coupe. Changing the wheels and tires will certainly be a noticeable positive change. Radials would be a crime on that car. 5" width wheels are super common on the rear of an old hot rod. I dont see why anyone would think that would be a problem. My car and all my buddies cars run them without issue so I dunno.

 

I'd go with Towel City 8" pie crust on 7" wheels in the rear.



And their vintage frontrunners in front.



A period look, but radials all around.

 

Those tires look really good

 

Are those American classics?

 

Coker’s American Classic.

 

Looking around $1300 shipped. Yikes I don’t know if dad will go for that.

 

I like these period look radios.

 

Ok I might just go around him and get Bias Ply. He is 70 and grew up on them, his first car was a ‘65 GTO with poly glass tires. how bad can it be? Lol.

 

My 29 A V-8 has firestones and I love how it drives. He is just fussy about how his car drives.

 

A 75 series tire would be the best fit for those rims . I would go a 195 0r 205 for the front and 235 for the back. Check your local Walmart and look at their Milestar line. Under 75.00 a pop for front and under 90.00 for rear. They will give you the tall skinny look you want and dad will be happy. It is his car and what he wants and under 500.00 . Or belly up to the bar with 1300.00 , be traditional and be ready everytime Dad drives it and says he is not happy with the ride. Food for thought. Larry

 

820....Diamond back Auburns, it's what I'm going with on my '28 and a friend has them on his '30 coupe and loves them. Radials and look good......best of both worlds.

 

I have 2 x sets of American classic radials 560R15 and 820R15, white wall and black wall. Glen

 

Older post but looks like I have talked him into the American classic 5.60 and 8.20 bias look radials. I am ordering them today. Thanks for all the advice.

 

They are here

 

night and day difference if you ask me. He really digs it!

 

Looks Great!