New 15" Vintage Wheels

Terry Stapley · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 10:52 AM

I recently changed from 17" Team III wheels with BFG G-Force Radials to 15" Vintage Pin Drive Wheels with Mickey Thompson Street Radials.
I posted some photos in my gallery if you would like to see how it changes the look of the car.

86Sebring · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 11:06 AM

The 15" look better in my opinion. How is the handling, has it been reduced or no difference?
cheers

Terry Stapley · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 11:19 AM

I think that I like the larger tire look also!!

Have not done any spirited cornering yet but just cruising the 15's feel a little more forgiving of uneven road surfaces.
One thing that really amazed me is that at slow speed (Parking lot) the new tires only take half of the steering wheel effort as the 17's. Go figure!!

Silverback51 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 11:19 AM

Looks very nice.

I realize that the lower profile 17's handle better, but for me I'm willing to give up a little handling for the looks of the 15 inch tires. And for the most part, unless you are on a race track, how many people really push it to 10/10 on the street.

FUNFER2 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 12:26 PM

Finally,..........some guys that agree with me, 15's !!!

I thought I was the only one that thinks 17's + are too big for the small Cobra.
I would use the 17's with track tires for racing only, as there's not much in tire selection for 15's for the street. I'm sure the ride is much stiffer also.

I do like the "Pro-Touring" concept, and have see many Old Camaro's ect...that look great with what I call, "Hot Rodded", with a lowered stance and big wheels, but like I said, not on the short small Cobra. The wish I have, is that Good Year would come out with new billboard RADIAL tires.

Since were all together on this issue, have any of you drove a Cobra with the billboard bias tires ? I've heard both sides of owners that use them. Some say their great but other's say, they'll never use bias plys again. They throw rocks and they tend to wonder a lot on the highway. If,....they are decent, on the highway, I would love a set ! Fat & wide billboards,.....don't get much better for the racing look !

I would not have a problem with painting the lettering either, which has been addressed many times here on CC.

What do you guys think ?

Thanks,

Smokingcobra2 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 01:57 PM

Im loolking for a 15" Vintage wheel with lugs, not knock off. Have one front wheel that wont balance, seems it is slightly out of round. Vintage does not make them any more.
Any suggestions
joeg

Silverback51 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Finally,..........some guys that agree with me, 15's !!!

I thought I was the only one that thinks 17's + are too big for the small Cobra.
I would use the 17's with track tires for racing only, as there's not much in tire selection for 15's for the street. I'm sure the ride is much stiffer also.

I do like the "Pro-Touring" concept, and have see many Old Camaro's ect...that look great with what I call, "Hot Rodded", with a lowered stance and big wheels, but like I said, not on the short small Cobra. The wish I have, is that Good Year would come out with new billboard RADIAL tires.

Since were all together on this issue, have any of you drove a Cobra with the billboard bias tires ? I've heard both sides of owners that use them. Some say their great but other's say, they'll never use bias plys again. They throw rocks and they tend to wonder a lot on the highway. If,....they are decent, on the highway, I would love a set ! Fat & wide billboards,.....don't get much better for the racing look !

I would not have a problem with painting the lettering either, which has been addressed many times here on CC.

What do you guys think ?

Thanks,

I have them and love them. Yes, they do throw rock, and they sometimes wander a bit. However I'm once again willing to put up with that for the handling and looks.

FUNFER2 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 03:01 PM

smoking- they don't make the lug wheel ?

silverback- (my wife calls me that)

The tires look great. I assume the rears are 295x50 ? (50 or 60) ?
Have you had any trouble with them, like balancing ect. ?

Great Cobra too. I would love to drive mine in the mountains like you. In your pics, is that Colorado ? My parents lived in Grand Junction.

I've now started a photo album on my computer, of Cobras that have billboards.

Larry N Johnson · #9 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 04:15 PM

Terry,
They are great on your beautiful roadster:

The 15" M/T are excellent handling tires:

Good choices!!

Silverback51 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

smoking- they don't make the lug wheel ?

silverback- (my wife calls me that)

The tires look great. I assume the rears are 295x50 ? (50 or 60) ?
Have you had any trouble with them, like balancing ect. ?

Great Cobra too. I would love to drive mine in the mountains like you. In your pics, is that Colorado ? My parents lived in Grand Junction.

I've now started a photo album on my computer, of Cobras that have billboards.

Nope, no problems at all with balancing them, and no vibrations at all at any speed up to 130 so far.

The picture in the mountains was taken along the North Cascades highway here in Washington during the Run to the Sun 2008 gathering that Dale set up. Had a great time.

Your fellow Silverback.

FUNFER2 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 05:57 PM

Ah, WA. beautiful !
My wife & I went on a Alaskan cruise last year. Man, do we want to go back.
We flew to WA. and stayed with a friend, then to Alaska. WA. is magnificent.

Anyway, no tire issues is calming and I may get a set. Love the looks.
Thanks,

1985 CCX · #12 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 06:23 PM

Me likee 15"

You can take my dog, my fishin pole and even my golf clubs but never my BB's.....Love em

mpanten · #13 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 06:44 PM

Terry or anyone else,

I recently switched to a temporary set of 17's that were for the track because my front rim was actually bent and I could not get rid of the vibration. The vibration is gone and I enjoy driving it again but it does not hook off the line like my 15 inch eagle gt2's. The 17's are 315's in the back compared to the 275's I used to run on the 15 inch rim. The 17's are bfg GTA's which appear to have adequate tread left. Have any of you had a similar experience?

1985 CCX · #14 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008, 07:16 PM

15" sneakers have more sidewall thus set down (Squat) a bit under power. 17" are low profile and harder thus less traction no squat. Generally speaking regular radials will not get sticky when warm, racing tires (BB's) will tack up when heated thus improved root.

Larry N Johnson · #15 (**permalink**) 11-17-2008, 02:05 PM

I have found 15" tires work pretty good, too, but prefer actual track tires on the track and street tires on the street.

convincor · #16 (**permalink**) 11-17-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokingcobra2

Im loolking for a 15" Vintage wheel with lugs, not knock off. Have one front wheel that wont balance, seems it is slightly out of round. Vintage does not make them any more.
Any suggestions
joeg

Vintage makes bolt on- http://www.vintagewheelsus.com/arWheels.html

Bob Lacey · #17 (**permalink**) 11-17-2008, 03:30 PM

Hi Smokingcobra2
Bob from Vintage Wheels Inc
all of our wheels are pin drive - bolt ons are coming soon
so the wheel you re refering to is not one of ours.
AR do make bolt on wheels for us ,can you post a picture so we can identify?
or email picture to vintagewheel@aol.com
thanks
Bob Lacey 1 619 952 4717

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokingcobra2

Im loolking for a 15" Vintage wheel with lugs, not knock off. Have one front wheel that wont balance, seems it is slightly out of round. Vintage does not make them any more.
Any suggestions
joeg