Hello all, I am new to the forum, but it looks like the best Buick resource I have been able to find on line. I just bought a 1972 Buick Skylark Hardtop Coupe yesterday. I have a lot of plans for it, but to start, I want to put new wheels and tires on it. Tires will be BF Goodrich Radial T/A's. Wheels, I have not decided on yet though. It currently has 14" wheels with 215/70/14 tire on it. I want to go up to 15" or 16" wheels, and either 8" or 10" wide. I want all the same sizes at all four corners. First question: Can I even do the 10" wides without hitting a steering issue? Second: What is my bolt pattern and backspacing requirements? I am considering two different sets of wheels right now. One is the American Racing Torq Thrust D. The other is the Wheel Vintiques 01 Series Cruzer Alloys The issue here is that I really like the Cruzer Alloys, but they are not available in 16" wheels. The Torq Thrusts are, but I do not like them quite as well. (You can search for these at summitracing.com. I tried to post links, but as a new member, I am currently unable. Any help I can get with my questions would be very much appreciated. Any advice you might have on wheel selection would be very much helpful as well. Thanks much. Mike Schauer 1972 Buick Skylark
A slight change to my question, I have continued my research and found that the tires I want do not come in an appropriate size for 16" wheels. I will have to go with 15" wheels. Also, the tires I want are not available for 15" that are 10" wide, only 6"-9" range. So depending on which wheels I get, I will go with either 8 or 8.5 width wheels. I do still need to know what my backspacing and bolt circle measurements are. If anyone knows or can explain to me how to measure them, that would be great. Thanks. Mike Schauer
On the stock rims 15 x 7 inch rim 245 60 X 15s are about the biggest all the way around. Some report 255 60 15s all the way around work but some report rubbing on the front. The difference may be attributable to the condition of the springs, shocks and suspension in general. If you use the search key there are a lot of posts about non stock rim and tire applications.
The bolt pattern is 5 X 4 3/4. That is what it is, and you need not measure it. Very common on GM cars. IMHO, there is no better looking wheel than the factory Chrome Rallye Wheel on these cars. The Factory 15 X 7 wheel uses a 4 1/4" back spacing. The 15 X 8's use a 4 1/2" back spacing. I have 255/60-15's all the way around, but my suspension is fresh. The 245/60-15 is a guaranteed fit and most closely matches the G60-15 that was the optional tire on our cars. You can go bigger on the back with no problems at all. A 275/60-15 will fit on either of the above rims with no issues. Whatever wheels you would like to order, just make sure they have the 5 X 4 3/4" bolt circle and 4 1/4 or 4 1/2" back spacing and you'll be good to go.
thanks for backspacing info larry. I was wondering myself. I have 295/60-15's on my stock rims on rear. George
245/60/15 front, 295/50/15 rear. 15x8 rims with 4 3/8 inch backspace on all four. That is all the backspace they could make on these rims.
