Hey guys,

I found my tires, and the sizes are all there. However I can’t pick a final size because I am confused with the wheels.
I know my vette has 8.5" all around. I wanted to do 17 x 8.5" in the front, and 18 x 9.5" in the rear. The wheel I wanted to use was the C6 Z06 wheels. Mc Jack Corvettes can do this for C3s, and they machine special wheel adapters for the C3s. However I just seen this pic on their website:
http://www.mcjackscorvettes.com/40files%20Parts/New%20Parts/ c3zo6.jpg.jpg

Nice wheels, but on a C3: eww, good thing I seen that before I spent the $1,500! Now I'm confused. I found some nicer wheels:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem& ; ;rd=1,1&item=8013384628&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
But they are only 7.5" wide... I don’t want a smaller wheel than stock. There are also these:
http://www.mcjackscorvettes.com/images/DSC00084.JPG
The American Racing wheels
1963 to 1982 American Racing Chrome or Polished 7"x17" or 8"x17" or 9 1/2"x17" (No Adapters needed) Aluminum Rims!

How big can you make the rear wheels without having to adjust the e-brake cable, or e-brake cable's bracket? I heard it was 9".
I wanted something that conserves old school look, but new, and eye catching. I have painted red calipers I want to show off. But I want to have big tires to look outstanding, and make it handle a little mean, but I don't want the tires sitting on a small width rim with a 50/50 chance that the tire could come loose off the wheel. Maybe some one can pick a combo(s) out for me? I'm lost. I wanted Pirelli tires. No JAP Nitto, or Yokohoma, or Toyo. I wanted a tire rated for 149MPH+ may be excessive, but I want the overkill solution to be there.
Anyone have any wheen suggestions?

Thanks so much guys,
-Louis

Louis, to rest some of your fears, the tires will NOT come off of a 7.5 inch rim.  In 68 our cars used a 7 inch rim with the same size tire.

Granted, it will be a bit more stable with the 8 inch rim, but it will be very difficult to tell the difference from 7.5 inch.  In serious handling situations, such as running on a track, it could show up.

Look at the 8 inch rims you have now, and see how much clearance you have on the inside edge.  That will tell you how wide you can go with out suspension mods.  Just keep rim offset in mind.  And then watch the clearance at the outer wheel well.

Louis, I believe the American Racing wheels on E-Bay are for a front wheel drive car.  Look at the cars they fit - all front wheel drives.  They also have 6 inch back spacing which would cause problems with the trailing arms on the rear, and rub quite a bit on the front when you turn the wheels.  I've got 17X8 wheels with 4 inch backspace and they do fine on the rear and rub slightly on a sharp turn in front.  My wheels are about like the last ones from mcjackscorvettes and run me about $250 each plus tires. 

Larry

   C3VR Lifetime Member #102                   
    My Link.........           
                     

Thanks Ken, and Larry.

Well, I did some more research and I came up with these:
http://www.americanracing.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=168 &name=Torq%20Thrust%20II%20Custom%20Offset%20(chrm%20cen ter)&style=C405&desc=2-piece%20alloy,%20polished%20r im,%20chrome%20center&section=V
Torq Thrust II Custom Offset (chrm center) (Series C405)

Where I'm confused is this:
http://fattyslims.com/vette/71_wheels/

Yep you're lookin at 18 x 10" right there and 17 x 8" in the front. HOW DID HE GET a 18 x 10" IN THE REAR? Thats a 1971 Vert in those pics. Hot car right there. However hes got some sadly made Japanese Nittos mounted on those American wheels. :(

-Lou

I think he either has offset trailing arms installed or he has used spacers between the wheels and hubs.  Offset trailing arms are the best way to go, but can be pretty expensive to buy and nstall.   Don't care for spacers, myself.  If you buy wider wheels with a custom offset, don't go more than 4" to 4 1/2" of backspace with stock trailing arms.  Also, with stock trailing arms, ten inch wheels will have a deeper dish look and stick out farther, possibly beyond the edge of the wheel opening. 

Larry

   C3VR Lifetime Member #102                   
    My Link.........           
                     

Dont' forget to look at treadwear numbers when choosing the tires.  Also look at tractions ratings for wet etc.  Not all M/S tires are created equal.  Check dry traction as well as wet.  These may be perfect for you.  I don't know these tires, so I'm not saying good or bad.  Just make sure you do the homework.