Does a 15" x 8" wheel with a 4.5" back space fit properly in the rear wheel well of the '65 Gran Sport with a 245/60/15 tire?
Everything I know about the pre 1970 cars says that they need more back spacing, about an inch more. Every time I say that, someone will say it works on their car, but it is in no way optimal AFAIK.
Thanks Larry. I know what you mean. I've read many of the threads about wheels and have come away with nothing definitive.
Yes, but lets look at it from a practical stand point. In 1965, there was no 15" rallye wheel for the A body, just the bigger cars with the 5 X 5 bolt pattern. So let's look at the wheel chart for 14" X 6" Rallye wheels, The 14" X 6" wheel for 65 and 66 cars had 4 1/2" back space. You are trying to fit a 2" wider wheel with the SAME back space. A 2" wider wheel would need 1" more back space to keep the wheel centered in the wheel well as Buick intended. That means 5 1/2" back space.
I think they will fit, but may be a little snug on the outside at the fender lip. My 66's have a slightly wider rear by about 1". I run 255/60-15's on 15x7's with 4-3/8" backspace. You're going with 8" wheels (extra 1/2" on the inside) which should be offset by the 65's narrower rear.
Just had a a 15x8 with a 255 MT "Street R" radial on my 65. As long as you have the original width rear axle you should be fine.