53 Buick Special tire question

[Fat_Tony]

New here, first post and of course it's a question..

 

i'm pretty sure this has probably been asked. I just bought a 53 Special, in my opinion in amazing condition. The total amount of rust wouldn't fit the area of a12"x12" tile, never spent a night out doors in 40 years, runs great! I just need a new set of tires due to a bit of dry rot. But I can't find any info on the tires themselves...size, width etc....any insight??

Edited September 20, 2017 by Fat_Tony (see edit history)

[Taylormade]

The tires on the car should have the information you seek.  I would also post in the Buick section on this forum - those guys have all the answers.

[Real Steel]

I would recommend that you get radials.  When I switched my 1953 Ford from bias ply to radials, I thought I was driving a brand new car.

[Aaron65]

The original size was 7.60x15.  I have a set of Coker Classics on mine, but I may consider radials the next time I need tires.

Edited September 20, 2017 by Aaron65 (see edit history)

[Fat_Tony]

I post in there as well, thank you all for the help.

[Marty Roth]

Coker offers a wide white Radial which looks like the original Bias. If you are not showing the Buick in AACA National Meets, these may be your best choice for mileage, handling, and appearance:

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/american-classic-bias-profile-radials.html

just click on this link and use the "Drop-Down" menu to choose your size - 3-1/4 inch whitewall 7.60R15

 

I have just replaced the 5 tires on my 1954 Cadillac with the 820R15

 

In my opinion this company will always treat you right if problems occur. They have for me for decades.

[D Yaros]

On 9/20/2017 at 5:31 AM, Aaron65 said:

The original size was 7.60x15.  I have a set of Coker Classics on mine, but I may consider radials the next time I need tires.

Tire Rack says the radial equivalent would be a 275/50R15.

[Bloo]

2 hours ago, D Yaros said:

Tire Rack says the radial equivalent would be a 275/50R15.

 

Tire rack made a mistake.

 

That probably wouldn't even fit on the rim. As with most substitutions for old tires, the higher the middle number (aspect ratio) the better. You probably wont find over 80, though the original may have been as much as 90. You may have to live with 75. At the same height, 75 series tires tires are gonna be quite a bit wider, and may or may not hit.

Edited September 22, 2017 by Bloo (see edit history)

[Fat_Tony]

I've seen a conversion chart online and it stated converting the 7.60x15 gives me a modern 275/55R15. I guess I'll find out tmrw when I go there to get them on lol. 

[Bloo]

Ok, the 7.60 is the section width. That means the measurement at the widest point, measured on the rim width that the tire was designed on. The tire does not have to actually go on the rim width it is designed on. Tire manufacturers publish an acceptable range for each tire they make.

 

7.60 * 0.9 (90 percent aspect ratio) = 6.84 Inch sidewall height

 

6.84 + 6.84 + 15 =  28.68

 

7.60-15 is then 7.6 inches wide and 28.68 inches tall  Actual sizes usually vary from the calcualtions a little, but this will be close.

 

Now 275/55R15:

 

275mm  *  0.03937 (convert to inches) = 10.83 Inches wide

 

10.83 * 0.55 (55 percent aspect ratio) = 5.96 Inch sidewall height

 

5.96 + 5.96 + 15 = 26.92

 

275/55R15 is then 10.83 inches wide and 26.92 inches tall

 

And for the 275/50R15 from the chart D Yaros saw:

 

10.83 * 0.5 (50 percent aspect ratio) = 5.41 Inch sidewall height

 

5.41 + 5.41 + 15 = 25.82

 

275/50R15 is then 10.83 inches wide and 25.82 inches tall

 

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2017 by Bloo
.. (see edit history)

[Aaron65]

Every radial conversion I've seen for 7.60x15 was either 225/75R15 or a 235/75R15.  A 275 section tire is wider than the tire on a modern Mustang GT.

 

Coker's website recommends a 225/75R15 in their radial.

Edited September 23, 2017 by Aaron65 (see edit history)