The 1955 Chevrolet Corvette sits at an important early point in Corvette history, still very much a hand-built American sports car with strong 1950s styling and a distinctly period driving feel. For owners restoring or maintaining one today, tire choice has a major effect on both appearance and road manners. This Corvette uses a 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, keeping the fitment squarely in the mid-century numeric sizing tradition. That opens the door to blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices, along with several period-style tire series and modern radial equivalents. The key is deciding whether to preserve the original bias-ply presentation or evaluate a radial alternative carefully.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1955 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1955 Chevrolet Corvette uses one primary tire size: 670-15. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim, and the covered 2900 Series 6 Cyl. sub-model uses that same size. Once size is confirmed, the real choice becomes sidewall style, tire series, and whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply construction or compare one of the available radial equivalents.
A 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 670 refers to an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette, that keeps the tire in the same period sizing language the car was built around, which matters to both stance and appearance. Available choices include brands such as Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments across several series. It is the right starting point for owners who want to keep the original style of fitment before comparing construction or appearance options.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1955 Corvette sub-model. The 2900 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same primary tire size, so the focus shifts from identifying a different fitment to choosing the right bias-ply style or evaluating a radial equivalent carefully.
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1955 Chevrolet Corvette 2900 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1955 Chevrolet Corvette 2900 Series 6 Cyl. uses the 670-15 bias-ply tire size on a 15-inch rim. That makes tire selection more about choosing the sidewall presentation, tire series, and restoration-oriented look you want, or deciding whether a radial equivalent suits the car's wheel and clearance setup.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette
For the original 670-15 tire size, four radial-equivalent options are available. 195R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P205/75R15 is the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P215/70R15 is the P-metric 70-series radial alternative. A 670R15 bias-look radial is also available for a more traditional visual presentation. The equivalent rim-width range is 5 to 7 inches, so any change from the original bias-ply size should still be checked against wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance.
Modern Radial Equivalents
195R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (670-15)
P205/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (670-15)
P215/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (670-15)
670R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (670-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (5-7 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Tires for Sale
Available 670-15 choices span Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA. The product grid is where to compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across several period-style bias-ply series and rim-width specifications.
Owners researching 1955 Chevrolet Corvette tires usually need clarity on 670-15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply versus radial choices, sidewall appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette?
The 1955 Chevrolet Corvette uses a 670-15 tire size. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment mounted on a 15-inch rim, and it is the primary size associated with the covered Corvette configuration.
For most buyers, the main task is not choosing between multiple original sizes but choosing the right version of 670-15. Sidewall treatment, tire series, and construction approach all matter, especially on a restoration-oriented car. If the Corvette has replacement wheels or previous modifications, confirm actual wheel diameter and width before selecting a tire.
What size rim does a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette use?
The 1955 Chevrolet Corvette uses a 15-inch rim with its primary 670-15 tire fitment. That rim diameter is part of the tire size itself, and it should be confirmed before comparing replacement bias-ply tires or radial-equivalent alternatives.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Product options in 670-15 show different rim-width specifications, so wheel width still matters when narrowing your choice. A Corvette that has changed wheels over the years may no longer match its original setup, which makes a quick wheel measurement worthwhile before mounting new tires.
Does the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette 2900 Series 6 Cyl. use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1955 Chevrolet Corvette 2900 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the main fitment for this vehicle page. That keeps sub-model fitment simple rather than splitting the car into different original tire sizes.
Because the size stays consistent, selection usually comes down to appearance and use rather than sub-model differences. Owners can concentrate on blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall styling, compare the available series, and decide whether to remain with bias-ply construction or investigate one of the radial equivalents with the proper wheel and clearance checks.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette?
For the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire fitment. That means the original size belongs to the traditional mid-1950s numeric bias-ply system rather than a modern radial sizing format.
Keeping a bias-ply tire usually preserves the period-style look and construction character associated with the car. Moving away from that construction can change both appearance and the way the car feels on the road. Any owner considering a different construction should verify wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming every 15-inch alternative behaves the same.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 670-15?
Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. Those options cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial sized to resemble the original format more closely.
Each of those alternatives should be treated as a comparison point rather than an automatic replacement. The recommended equivalent rim-width range is 5 to 7 inches, and the final choice should still be checked against the Corvette's actual wheel width, tire clearance, and intended use. That matters even more on cars with changed wheels, ride height, or suspension components.
What should I check before converting my 1955 Chevrolet Corvette from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the radial-equivalent size you are considering against available clearance at the fenders and steering components. For the original 670-15 fitment, radial alternatives include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15.
A construction change is not only about size on paper. The Corvette's suspension condition, alignment, and wheel setup all influence how successfully a radial alternative works in practice. It also helps to decide whether the goal is a more traditional visual presentation, which may point toward a bias-look radial, or a more modern sizing format with a different sidewall profile.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette?
Begin with the correct 670-15 size and 15-inch rim fitment, then compare construction, sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. The available choices are bias-ply tires, so the decision is usually about appearance, brand preference, and how closely the tire suits the character of the car.
A blackwall can give the Corvette a simpler sporting presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls move the look further into period styling. It also helps to review the product's rim-width specification and load figure where shown, especially if the wheels are not original. On a collector car, the best choice is often the one that balances visual intent with careful fitment discipline.
What sidewall styles are available for 1955 Chevrolet Corvette tires?
670-15 tires for the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette are available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners a meaningful appearance choice even while staying within the correct primary tire size and traditional bias-ply construction.
Sidewall style can change the whole visual tone of an early Corvette. A blackwall usually reads more understated, while whitewall treatments bring a stronger mid-1950s look. Because the tire size remains the same, the practical step is to match the sidewall presentation to the car's restoration direction, then confirm the product's wheel-width specification before making the final selection.
What brands offer tires for the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette?
Available 670-15 tires for the 1955 Chevrolet Corvette include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series and sidewall styles within the same primary size.
Brand choice is most useful when it helps narrow the tire's look and specification rather than turning into a ranking exercise. Some options focus on blackwall presentation, others on narrow or wide whitewalls, and rim-width details can vary by product. Once the correct size is settled, comparing brand, series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility gives a much clearer path to the right tire.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1955 Chevrolet Corvette?
A period-style starting point for a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette is the original 670-15 bias-ply format. Staying with that primary size keeps the car in its proper mid-1950s sizing language, and the available product range allows you to choose among blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations.
The right choice depends on how the Corvette is being presented rather than on one universal appearance answer. Some restorations look best with a restrained blackwall, while others call for a stronger whitewall visual statement. If exact historical presentation matters, compare the car against marque references or restoration records, then match that goal to the available 670-15 bias-ply options.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1955 Chevrolet Corvette?
On a restored 1955 Chevrolet Corvette, construction affects both stance and visual character. A 670-15 bias-ply keeps the car in a traditional period-style format, while a radial equivalent can shift the presentation even when the wheel diameter remains the same.
That difference is why many restoration-minded owners decide on appearance before choosing between constructions. A bias-look radial can help retain a more vintage tire impression, while metric and P-metric radials read more modern in profile and labeling. The decision should balance visual authenticity goals with actual wheel dimensions and the way the car is expected to be driven.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette?
Yes. Modifications can change how a tire fits a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette even when the original size is 670-15. Replacement wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, or body and steering clearances can all influence whether the selected tire is appropriate for the car's current setup.
That is especially important when considering a radial equivalent instead of the original bias-ply format. A different wheel width or a slightly different tire profile may be manageable on one car and troublesome on another. Measuring the actual wheels and checking clearance at full steering lock and normal suspension travel helps prevent surprises after mounting.
What should I inspect before driving a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette on new tires?
Inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size, and check inflation before road use. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components on a 1955 Chevrolet Corvette, since worn parts can affect how even a correctly sized tire behaves.
A collector car deserves a slow first evaluation rather than an immediate long drive. Watch for rubbing, pull, vibration, or uneven clearance as the car begins moving and as the steering reaches full lock. Rechecking pressure after the first outing and verifying that lug hardware and wheel seating remain correct adds another useful layer of confidence.
How should 670-15 tires on a collector 1955 Chevrolet Corvette be maintained?
670-15 tires on a collector 1955 Chevrolet Corvette should be checked regularly for inflation, tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and signs of air loss. Low-mileage collector use can hide age-related deterioration, so appearance alone should never be the only measure of a tire's condition.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires over time. It also helps to inspect them before every driving season and before any longer trip, especially if the Corvette spends much of its life parked rather than exercised frequently.