Radial Tires for '56 Thunderbird

[modelamike65]

What is the best radial tire size for a 1956 stock Ford Thunderbird?

[dmsfrr]

With stock 15 x 5 steel wheels?

http://ctcc9.blogspot.com/2008/06/te...ial-tires.html
The 1955 and 1956 Thunderbird requires a radial tire size of P205/75R15.
The 1957 Thunderbird radial tire size is P205/75R14.

If you're looking for wide whitewalls...
http://www.dbtires.com/store/shoptire.cfm?size=15.00

[blucar]

I have been using P20575/R14.. tires on my Birds, '56 & 57 since 1973.. Currently have Hancooks, have used Bridgestone and, Michelin, generally 1, 1-1/2" white walls..
Can't see any need to buy tires from the specialty tire dealers...

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by blucar

I have been using P20575/R14.. tires on my Birds, '56 & 57 since 1973.. Currently have Hancooks, have used Bridgestone and, Michelin, generally 1, 1-1/2" white walls..
Can't see any need to buy tires from the specialty tire dealers...

Since the tires will 'age out' before you wear them out I like the lower cost normal whitewalls too. IMHO, unless you have a 'show' car or a bigger budget the wide white price is difficult to justify. I have Michelin's and think they look fine.

[paul2748]

I also use 205's on my 56. As was said above, I didn't spend the extra for the wide whites so I have the skinny white wall.

[bobss396]

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I like the thin WW on the 'Birds.

[darrell]

i love the wide ones but price is out of this world.you could use 215 if you wanted thats what i use on my 56 ford.

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by modelamike65

What is the best radial tire size for a 1956 stock Ford Thunderbird?

just some '56 T-Bird info - http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird/prod1956tbird.html

Nothing is ever simple? haha

Here's a tire chart... http://www.dbtires.com/crossreference.html
Your car originally would have had 6.70 x 15's which spec at 27.5 inches tall. The two closest radial tire sizes are the 205/75 x 15 and 215/75 x 15 which spec at 27 and 27.6 inches tall. The width of the 205 more closely matches the original tire and wheel. The 215 is slightly wider and it may(?) be a bit wide for a stock 5 inch wheel and also more easily rub on the insides of your fender skirts if you use them. Most 215's have a recommended min. rim width of 5.5 inches. Unless you do a lot of hiway driving it probably doesn't matter. http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...rder=Ascending

The slight height difference between the shorter 205 & the taller 215 may affect your speedometer a bit. It's just something to be aware of and only really matters depending on how accurate the speedometer was to begin with. With the shorter tire your car will actually be traveling slightly slower than it did before, even tho the speedometer reads the same. With the 27.6in tall radial tire the actual speed of the car will be effectively the same as the original tires.
So it's a slight compromise either way.
If any inaccuracy of the speedometer is more than you'd prefer (probably not, it helps avoid speeding tickets ) it's possible to change the driven gear on the transmission end of the speedometer cable.
.