|QUOTE|joe73vette said:
1. the spare doesn't have to be as wide as the others, just the same diameter to preserve the posi. A 70 or 75 series tire is fine, and will fit in the carrier.

2. I can't remember the last time I got a flat. (knock on wood)

Joe|/QUOTE|

1. don't have the same diameter...had 17s (wheels) on it nowand 315s on the back!

2. me neither!

My spare tire is original, one of those little donuts. I presume it would be best to put it on the front if I have a flat on the rear, and put the full size on the rear even if it isn't a long way home.

Scott,
The wheels are Cragar. I don't know the model. I do know I haven't seen them in anly local stores. The car was "done" in Ohio so maybe they are more readily available there. The tire size is P245/60 R 15. I don't use spacers. This is supposed to be the largest size I can use without them. Hope that answers your question. As a side bar, the guy who did the car asked me if I was willing to sell him back the wheels. I politely told him that he had very good taste in wheels and I would keep them, thank you

Don't forget that the spare tire is an integral part of the crash protection system in the event of a rear end collision. I believe someone makes some sort of brace which can go under the back of the car to help spread out the load if you're crashed into. Also I recall reading somewhere that you can get longer rear carrier anchors which will hold wider tires. ~Juliet

juliet,

You mentioned being rearended. Every time I pull up to a stop sign or light, I always watch my rearview mirror, just to see if the birdbrain coming up like a bat out of hell is going to have room to stop. I can see chunks of fiberglass laying all over the intersection... Scares me to death.

This is a bit off the beaten path for this thread but it kinda fits. Usually my wife is in the Vette with me ( she refuses to learn to drive a stick ( thank GOD ) especially going to shows. Anyhow, don'tcha just love the people who come up behind you on a hill and try to get within 2 inches of your rear bumper. I like to think they do it because they are totally mesmerized by the fact that a Vette is not only standing still but it is close enough to look at. That could also be why they come flying up on you from behind...they want to take the only chance they will ever gt to be that close to a Vette somewhere besides on a dealer's lot. Anyhow, I always get a kick out of it when my wife starts yelling and making less than lady-like gestures when they get too close. I think she must be worried that I will drift back into them while letting out the clutch. After all this time, she should know better. I would never hurt my baby by doing that...however in the Jimmy, I could be tempted to put it in reverse and accidentally slip off the brake and onto the gas.

I learned the hard way that the rear end of my vette is pretty tough. My girlfriend driving behind me knocked me through an intersection one day. Luckily I saw that she was going to hit me and I took my foot off the brake. I got out expecting something bad and there wasn't even a scratch on my car.

last year at Vintage Thunder, i saw a C4 slam rear first into the wall. I saw the car later in the pits and was amazed that the only visable thing was some scratching and the fiberglass on the right rear quarter panel was split lengthwise. He put some duct tape on the panel and drove home....now that is a tuff car.

Blk79, I've had your thought happen to me twice now in two different Vettes. I try to stay away from everyone now and avoid busy times of the day.

I'm with Welsh, it looks ALOT cleaner in the rear with it gone, so I have to walk if I get a flat, I walked when I lost my licens and Ill walk when I have a flat, but today with cell phones you can usually get a ride quickly. just my .02 worth.

Dave
Mr69vett