Need Help - Wheel/Tire Combo - 66 Coronet

[roughidle]

I have a 1966 Coronet I am trying to find wheels for. The slots we purchased ~20 years ago for this project (now lovingly referred to as "Long Time Coming") I find will not work. What I am measuring:
15" x 8" wheel with 3.25" backspacing
Looking at it on the car - it looks like I need an additional 2.25" for a total of 5.50" of backspacing to fit under the lip of the wheel well and also still clear the springs.
Is there a slot wheel out there with this much back spacing?
The tires are Cooper Cobra 255 60 r15's. I know I've read that this tire is a common used size for the back of the 66/67 Coronet and was hoping to use these wheels, but the offset is clearly not going to work.

Thanks for any help in advance.

View attachment 983513

 

[R413]

Generally speaking the slot mags are offset out like you have. You will have a hard time finding what you need in a 15x8 slot to fit that body.

255/60-15 is a great tire size for the back of that car. Stay with that.

 

[33 IMP]

You won't like it, but....
R 413 is right, your chances of finding an old slot mag 15x8 with the offset you need is probably zero. You might (might!) find a 15x7 that would work, but I wouldn't bet on that either.
I have at least two sets of one piece mags with around 3 1/4-3 1/2 bs , where the 15x8 puts the tire out so close to the fender they are unusable for anything that doesn't have a full-open wheewell. The only tire that would clear the fender would be much too small for the width of the rim.
If you are looking for a vintage look, I have two suggestions. The old centerline autodrags had a 4 7/8 backspace in 15x8 1/2. That wheel is now available new again, but not cheap! The other could be a custom steelie with the exact bs you want. Poverty caps optional.
Edit: most guys on here seem to like 4 1/2 backspace on a 15x8/8.5 rim. It seems to fit on most of our cars, but as you know, the 66/67 wheelwell is about the tightest and smallest around.

 

[origcharger]

Generally speaking the slot mags are offset out like you have. You will have a hard time finding what you need in a 15x8 slot to fit that body.

255/60-15 is a great tire size for the back of that car. Stay with that.

I just put 255/60-15s on the back of my 66 Charger with 15x8 cop wheels with 4" backspacing, fit great. My tire to spring clearance is about 1", I just don't see how you could possibly use wheels with more than 4 1/2" back spacing if leaf springs are in stock location.

 

[roughidle]

Man, going to 4-1/2" backspacing would only give me an additional 1-1/4". It doesn't look like that would get me there.... If I could get some wheelwell/tire info pics from some that are in-use - that may be helpful.

Looking at the American Racing website it shows the Ansen Sprint slotted wheels in a 15x8 in the correct 4-1/2" bolt pattern and a 4-1/2" backspacing. I'm just hesitant to order not knowing that it would clearly fit given the dimensions I'm looking at....

Thanks

 

[33 IMP]

Forgot to ask this. What rear end do you have? I assume a 8 3/4, but is it stock, or a later,wider rearend? A later housing could explain why you seem to need more backspace than usual.

 

[origcharger]

I know your Coronet wheel openings are not the same but here are the 255/60-15s on my Charger with 4" back spacing wheels, I previously had 235/60-15s on 7" wide 4" backspacing wheels and since I didn't already have the bigger tires mocked up on 8" wide rims I was too nervous to order the 4 1/2" because of tire to spring clearance. I will try and get pictures showing tire distance to spring posted later.

 

[origcharger]

Here is better picture showing my spring to tire "bulge" clearance with 4" backspacing wheels, it measures 1 1/8". So I assume 4 1/2" back spacing would put it at 5/8"

 

[roughidle]

Forgot to ask this. What rear end do you have? I assume a 8 3/4, but is it stock, or a later,wider rearend? A later housing could explain why you seem to need more backspace than usual.

Yes, it is the stock 8-3/4 housing that was original in 66.

 

[joe smith]

I have 15 X 8's on my rear, with a 5 1/4" back space using 245 60 15 radial TA's on my 67 Coronet... If I was to do it again I would have them made with 5 1/8" back space.....

 

[Commando66]

Ive got the Wheel Vintiques O.E. Chrysler steel wheels on my 67 Belvedere https://www.wheelvintiques.com/chrysler-o-e.html
with 255/60/15’s. They fit perfect.

https://www.wheelvintiques.com/chrysler-o-e.html

 

[roughidle]

Commando66 - which backspace did you get?

 

[Commando66]

I believe it’s 4”. That’s all they list for the 15x7.

 

[funnykarman]

Take a look at the team 3 wheels or ET wheels they will build you a wheel with back spacing that will work for you . Back Spacing on a 15x8 wheel from 3 3/4 thru 5 7/8 . Check their web site out !

web site out .