VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Tires and rims upgrade for 35 Chevy

Hey guys new here so forgive me if I’m in the wrong section. Ok I’m a semi retired mechanic been away from it for quite a while always had old cars 50s and up, but this is the oldest car I’ve owned that’s a driver 1935 Chevy Standard, I want to keep her going as a driver and trip vehicle the 6cyl keeps her moving pretty good but I need a good set of tires not for show but something that will give a good ride and durability, I’ve seen the Cokers, Excelsior, Firestone, Universal Tires has a few and also the Coker Classics radial replacements, so my question is if I keep the stock tires/rims what type tire? mine are 17 525/550 or can I upgrade to a wider smaller 16”or 15” rim and tire with the same bolt pattern? Thanks Pooch

Others will know for sure, but I don't think that bolt pattern was used on anything else. Definitely nothing else common, and maybe nothing else ever.

I believe you are probably stuck with the 17s, and therefore reproduction tires like the ones at Coker, Universal, Lucas, etc. All of them are expensive compared to modern car tires. Diamondback might be another source for a radial, but I'm not sure if they have a skinny 17. you'd have to check. Blockley(UK) is a source of super high quality bias tires, and they probably have a skinny 17. Probably blackwall only. They cost a lot.

Good luck with the project and welcome. Let us know how it goes.

If it’s the 6 x 5.5 pattern then yes other wheel/tire combos will fit. I can’t say about what clearances you have or need though. You’d need to measure that yourself. Almost an answer, right? I had some temps from a 53 so I could roll it until I found the correct wheels.

I would sugest using the Firestone tire. White walls stay whiite and the
Firestones run a little larger than other brands. Orignally the Standard came with the 5,25 sze and the Master a 5.50. The two sizes were combined iyears ago and the 5.25 was discontinued.
I have used the Firestone on a few of my cars with good results.
believe that there is no radial tire made to fit the narrow 3" wide rims.

Wow thanks for the response guys, I’ve been in the Antique car scene for a while, 49’ deluxe, 53’ 3100, numerous Chevy pickups from the 60s and 70s and my muscle cars 69 Camaro rs 69 Nova and, numerous Caddy’s from 58 to 70, even a 59 Nash Rambler, still have a 74 Jeep 2dr Cherokee, all mostly daily or easy drives for the times, my only other pre 40’s was get this! a 31 AA Ford US postal truck, but that was a project I only finished the chassis’s never driven, I always wanted a model A but came across this Chevy in pretty good condition for 5k a 90’s restoration a good driver with 59k original miles! I want to keep it as a driver 50% of the time not looking to keep it as a 100 point car nor turn it into a Rod which most have done, I want to be able to go on runs and tours, my first time owning a ”˜“Skinny Wheel” so any insight to keeping it a “driver” in its close to original condition would be greatly appreciated, it has been upgraded to 8volt alternator and battery, soon to add electric wiper and 6 volt electronic ignition, the brakes are in really good condition and stops the car perfectly anything you guys can add would be great, I figured I’d have to stay with OEM type tires without changing the suspension and all. Thanks and wish I knew how to upload some pics. Pooch

You'll have to use a hosting site and post links or join the club to embed pictures into your post. There are wheel companies that can take the centers out of your rims and weld them to any size wheel you want. I doubt it would be inexpensive but it's an option.

I'd stick with the stock size, and Chev Nut's recommendation on which ones to get. These cars are geared pretty low. Some people want to gear them up higher to go faster, and it is not easy. Putting on tires that are smaller in diameter, which is probably what you would wind up doing if you modified the wheels, only makes the gearing worse.

If it's radials you want, a quick look suggests Coker's Excelsior Stahl Sport is the only one. They are blackwall only.

Pooch,
Welcome to Chat.
I have owned my 1935 Standard Coupe for 48 years. Chevy Nut is on target with the Firestone tires. I just put new Firestones on my car last year and I am very happy with them. I chose the black walls for a more authentic look.
The 5 bolt 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern on these cars makes it difficult and expensive to change tire size.
You might encounter overheating issues with your car, they are famous for it. If this happens, I can be of some assistance.
Feel free to contact me with any questions about your car. I don't know it all but I have picked up a few useful tidbits along the way.

Mike

Thanks all for the help, 35mike thank you I haven’t taken it out long enough yet but that would be helpful as I plan on using this for trips and runs, I know the Blackwalls are a bit cheaper I’d like to see what your 35 looks like I like the WW look with my orange rims. Looks like I should form some sort of fan shroud, sure I can make something fit, I’ll have to see if there’s a tstat in it and I’ll be checking the radiator over as well it was restored in the early 90s runs good think it needs a vale adjustment soon as I recover from my shoulder surgery just this week I’ll start working on it for the Jersey winter. Thanks guys any other suggestions for driving a Skinny please feel free to leave a comment or two. Thanks Pooch