1973 GS tire sizes?

I was wondering if anyone has researched what type of tires came on the '73 GS's with 15" wheels, was it the G-60-15 Good Year Polyglas GT like in '72? Every other '73 I've seen has had aftermarket tires, usually Eagle ST's (which mine has as well in 245-60-15) or they were 14" tires/wheels in the factory GS photos. Firestones are out of the question, except possibly the G-70-15, although I don't think this tire would be correct, even though it looks cool. They make a re-pop Firestone in F-70-15, but this is just too small. I may end up having to do the Radial T/A's although I was hoping to avoid it, Good Year just doesn't make a decent tire for musclecars anymore, the Eagle ST was nice, too bad it's gone. I have the 15X7's on my car and I know a 275-60-15 rear/255-60-15 front combo will look sweet, I just need to decide between that and stock appearing (and expensive) re-pops.

 

original tire sizes

On the 1973 GS and Century cars you had a choice of tires
G78-14 whitewalls (Order Code F1)

Oversize whitewall tires H78-14(Order code F2)

Steel belted Radial Ply Blackwall Tires GR70-15 with styled wheels and Radial suspension A1,A8,A9 REQUIRED (ORDER CODE F5)

Wide Oval Billboard Tires G70-14(ORDER CODE F6)

Steel Belted Radial Ply whitewall tiresGR70-15 with styled wheels and Radial suspensionA1,A8,A9 REQUIRED (ORDER CODE F9)


A1 IS THE GS STAGE 1 PACKAGE
A8 IS THE GRAN SPORT PACKAGE
A9 IS THE GS455 OPTION

SO YOU SEE THAT ONLY THE BIG BLOCK CARS RECEIVED THE 15 INCH WHEELS SMALL BLOCK RECEIVED 14 INCH

I have the 15 inch Ralleys on my 73 350 and run 275x60x15 on the back and had 235x60x15 on the front and never had a problem with bottoming out or rubbing.
Pat:3gears:

 

My 73 is not a GS, does have the factory 455, 3:42 posi, etc (all the "GS stuff". The wheels are 14" ralleys (15" was a option) I still have the original spare, never touched the ground on the factory ralley - in the 14" case it is a white letter BFGoodrich tire. I was a "kid" in that 70's time frame and had many cars with radial TA's. Putting 15" radial TA's on a '73 may not have been "factory" but it was a very popular tire then - and of course still is.... I would like to know what you find for fitmant if you go the wide tire route, I am hoping to be in the P295 to P315 range as the wheel well look huge....

 

Scott,
I ran 275-60-15's on the rear of my '72 Stage 1 and the '73 I have now appears to have a little more room than the '72, I would go with the 275-60-15's over the 295's or 315's because these are 50 series tires and the low profile looks goofy on any musclecar, they do have width, but the sidewall just looks funny in my opinion. I think you'd be real happy with the looks and fitment of the 275-60-15's in the rear, and the 255-60-15's in the front.

 

I know what you mean, but the side walls do get taller (as does the tire diameter). A P315/50 has almost the same side wall height as a P275/60. (27.4" vs 27.9" - so the sidewall would only be 1/4" shorter on the P315's.) I have also thought about going to a 17" rim for better handling - but then I would miss the raised white letters (some don't like the letters - I do) I sure hope you are enjoying that '73. I thought long and hard about checking it out but decided to keep what I have....Very nice looking ride - so enjoy !!!

 

Scott,
Just remember, you probably can't run those tires on stock 15X7 wheels, if you're going aftermarket, I would definitely go with at least an 8 inch rim with tires that wide.
Thanks for the compliments on the car, yes, I am enjoying it immensely, just wish it was spring so I could actually get it out of the garage!
Mike

 

Yes, I will need to modify rim width - and offset to get it to fit - if I even have a chance. I will decide rim width after I figure out how much room I have.

 

HHHHUUUUMMMMM....ME LIKE..... "stageone" , give us more pics and info on this sweet ride for all the 73/74 lovers.....

 

stageone,
I was wondering whether you have any info about that car and would like to share with me.I am currently registering all Century cars in my 73-75 Century GS Registry.I currently have around 30 cars registered and would like to get as much info about these cars so we can all have a better understanding of things like options,paint colors,etc.Ihave a little info about Jasons car and would like to see if you can fill in the rest. If you would please send me your adress by an email to pdharmon@tds.net,I will send you some paperwork for you to fill out for both of these cars.Any help will be appreciated and I promise to keep your personal info confidential.Ihope you will consider this as it will help us 73 owners in the long run.
Thanks,Pat Harmon

By the way nice car! What is your name so we can all know you by a first name.We are a close bunch here and know everyone by a name.

 

Bringing this thread back to life.

Two of my 73s have the gray painted rally wheels with the stainless trim (beauty) rings. These cars both came with the thin whitewall Uniroyal tires.

What are the tires that came on the cars with the chrome rally wheels? Doesn't seem like there is a definite answer here. In the factory photos they show them with the thin whitewall tires as well. Did all 15 inch wheels get the Uniroyals? Who manufactured the blackwall tires?

The earlier cars came with Goodyear Polyglas, did they stop putting them on at the factory in 73? I know Firestones were mentioned earlier. The reason I ask is my 350 car has the chrome rally's and I would like to know what tires are factory correct.

Thanks!:beer

 

These are the ones that keep coming up for G70-15 tires.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-62660/overview/

They are Bias Ply. Maybe these Firestones came from the factory on the cars with the chrome rallys?o No:

Correct me if I am wrong, but the earlier cars that came with Goodyear Polyglas are G60-15?

 

For reproduction tires, there are a couple of options from Goodyear/ Kelsey Tire.

G70-15 Polyglas RWL and G60-15 Polyglas RWL are available. These are both Bias ply options. As for radial options, the GR70-15 Polysteel is now available in RWL. This tire will also be available in a white stripe before very long. If you have any questions, please contact me. My cell is 816-654-3400.

 

Sub question: My '71 GS350 came with 14" Rally wheels. Were 15" Rally wheels ever offered for this year/model car?

Thanks

 

updating this old thread: as per my latest research for a whitewall tire for my 73 GS. The Ironman RB-12 NWS 225-70-15 is a compatible white wall tire that is basically the same size as a G70-15. This Ironman tire is a all season weather, modern style radial for $92.00 each. The 225 is 27.4" tall and the G70 is 27.5" tall, and way better pricing than Coker! Thinking of giving it a try, considering I barely drive that car, because I know how hard it is to find sheet metal if I f.... it up.
Been the Caretaker for 46 years!
Fernando

 

I know this is a little late, but here are a few shots of the original 14" spare that came in our '73 GS and the chart of available tires...