1955 t-bird tire size

[39deluxecp]

Can anyone tell me what radial tire size they are using on their 1955 Tbird? I want to be sure they will clear the body. Thanks

 

[dmsfrr]

205/75R15 - assuming original 5 inch wide wheels.
They'll clear the fender skirts by about 1/2 to 5/8 inch.
(depending on conditions of the individual car)

The original tires were 6.70 x 15
http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/prod1955tbird.html

Are you going for the deluxe wide whitewalls or regular whitewalls?
.

 

[39deluxecp]

The wide whites are nice, and original, but I like the narrow "Monza White Walls" better

 

[dmsfrr]

This '55 isn't overly original but it does have oem wire wheel covers. I think they help make the narrower whitewalls less of an issue.
The wide whites are crazy expensive. These are Hankook brand, about $55 each at walmart, not $300ish each from a specialty manufacturer. I'm too cheap to spend that much for tires that will age out in 8yrs, likely before they even have 10k miles on them

 

[39deluxecp]

I like the narrow best.i did find those narrow tires you suggest at Walmart. I may have to give them a. Try thanks

 

[estout81]

I used 205/75-15 on stock '51 rims on my '51 Ford. It doesn't have much fender clearance either. So far so good. I also like the cheap narrow white walls I got at NTB for $50. Looks like the old Firestone 500's.

 

[grumppyoldman]

My 55 Fairlane has 14" wire wheels with the Thunderbird logo in the center. I've been wondering if they were really Thunderbird wheels or not, wish they were 15" only thing bad is I just put Coker wide whites on and can't afford to buy new wheels and tires.

 

[paul2748]

As far as the early Birds (55-57), they did not have a true wire wheel. The 55 and 56 had a wire wheel type hubcap setup.


The first Ford true wire wheel as standard or optional equipment came out in 62-64 (not sure of the exact years). Don't know if they were 14 or 15. Kelsey-Hayes made them.

My 55 Fairlane has 14" wire wheels with the Thunderbird logo in the center. I've been wondering if they were really Thunderbird wheels or not, wish they were 15" only thing bad is I just put Coker wide whites on and can't afford to buy new wheels and tires.

 

[dmsfrr]

As far as the early Birds (55-57), they did not have a true wire wheel. The 55 and 56 had a wire wheel type hubcap setup.

The first Ford true wire wheel as standard or optional equipment came out in 62-64 (not sure of the exact years). Don't know if they were 14 or 15. Kelsey-Hayes made them.

Yes.
The first oem Ford wire wheels on a T-Bird were on the '62 (and '63) Sports Roadster,
14 inch and made by Kelsey-Hayes.
They were tube-type wheels and required 'ventilated' tires at the time. The first batch were recalled for wheel failure and replaced with similar wheels with larger diameter spokes.
If original they would have 48 spokes and most likely stamped with K-H and FoMoCo logos.

http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird1962roadsterspecific.html

The various versions of reproduction wire wheels are very popular.

Photos, '55 oem wire style 2 piece wheelcover, '56 had the same but with white paint on the center caps instead of red.
.

 

[grumppyoldman]

thanks for the info. Al

 

[grumppyoldman]

What were ventilated tires, mine has tubes, but never heard of the ventilated term.

 

[Dobie Gillis]

Tires with holes in 'em...

Prolly more than you wanted to knkow:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20070006951

 

[dmsfrr]

What were ventilated tires, mine has tubes, but never heard of the ventilated term.

Apparently the tubes (or tires?) available back then were failing from the extra heat.
There's a sentence about it in the article... doesn't sound like a great idea.
To prevent heat buildup between the tube and the tire, thousands of tiny holes were punctured through the sidewalls of tires fitted to these wheels, and the notation "Tubeless" was ground off in an attempt to prevent the use of "non-ventilated" tires.

My 55 Fairlane has 14" wire wheels with the Thunderbird logo in the center. I've been wondering if they were really Thunderbird wheels or not, wish they were 15" only thing bad is I just put Coker wide whites on and can't afford to buy new wheels and tires.

99% chance they're newer reproductions. If 'original' to '62 / '63 they would most likely be in need of a complete re$$$toration (if that's even possible) also have 48 spokes and most likely stamped with K-H and FoMoCo logos. Worth a lot of money to some collector tho...
.

 

[grumppyoldman]

I just read the information about the wire wheels. The change they made was the dia. of the spokes, not the no. they changed the dia. from 1/4" to 5/16" I've got to check mine. Thanks for the info. Al

 

[dmsfrr]

I just read the information about the wire wheels. The change they made was the dia. of the spokes, not the no. they changed the dia. from 1/4" to 5/16" I've got to check mine. Thanks for the info. Al

I've been told the newer / reproduction wire wheels have more than 48 spokes.

 

[grumppyoldman]

I didn't count the spokes, just measured them. They are 1/4", but I did see one of them without the tire installed. I looked to see if it had a rubber cover over the spokes, it did not, there was what looked like a stainless band around the center section covering the spoke ends. I'm trying to find out who made them. I know there are several companies that offer them, and there are 3 different spoke arrangements. Truespoke has 50 spokes attached at the center of the rim, and a reverse 50 spoke wheel. there is a lip lace style and a standard style, I took pics and have to go back and see which I have.

 

[grumppyoldman]

I didn't count the spokes, just measured them. They are 1/4", but I did see one of them without the tire installed. I looked to see if it had a rubber cover over the spokes, it did not, there was what looked like a stainless band around the center section covering the spoke ends. I'm trying to find out who made them. I know there are several companies that offer them, and there are 3 different spoke arrangements. Truespoke has 50 spokes attached at the center of the rim, and a reverse 50 spoke wheel. there is a lip lace style and a standard style, I took pics and have to go back and see which I have.[/QU.OTE]

I have counted the spokes on my 14" Thunderbird rims, they have 56 spokesw and are made by Tru=Spoke. Talked to them this AM sent them pic. of wheel, the man said it was a wheel they make. he didn't know about the S.S cover over the inside spoke nuts, said someone had added that after wheels were sold. He also told me if I was driving and got caught in rain to use Pledge furniture polish on the rims until they could be cleaned properly. He also said if car was to be in storage for a lengthy period to spray them with WD-40. He also told me to check for loose or broken spokes with a plastic screwdriver handle and listen for a spoke that sounded different. Mine are the lip laced wheels.Al

 

[39deluxecp]

I got a set of 4 ties in it.205/60/15 size, and they look great and fit perfectly. About an inch clearance between rear tire and rear fender . Thanks for all the help

 

[dmsfrr]

I got a set of 4 ties in it.205/60/15 size, and they look great and fit perfectly. About an inch clearance between rear tire and rear fender . Thanks for all the help

just curious... what wheels did you use?
Something aftermarket and cool looking you can share a couple photos of?

 

[bobss396]

205/75R15 - assuming original 5 inch wide wheels.
They'll clear the fender skirts by about 1/2 to 5/8 inch.
(depending on conditions of the individual car)

The original tires were 6.70 x 15
http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/prod1955tbird.html

.

The chart is as handy as heck, I was going to say 775-15 off the top of my head. I was a tire installer for Sears many moons ago when the switch was made to the letter sizes.


I have Hankook radials on my '59 and they are WW, I just turned them around, 235/75-15 out back, 215/75-15 up front. The disc brake conversion moved the fronts out a bit so I have to go slow up driveways.