The 1960 Chevrolet Corvette sits at an important point in first-generation Corvette development, when sharp styling and growing performance credibility made the car as appealing at a show field as it was on a back road. Tire choice matters because this Corvette uses a 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, a size that strongly influences both stance and period character. Within that fitment, there is still plenty to sort through, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall bias-ply options, along with modern radial equivalents. The right choice depends on whether the goal is restoration-minded appearance, traditional construction, or more contemporary road manners.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1960 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1960 Chevrolet Corvette uses one primary tire size: 670-15. That means the main fitment decision is not which factory size applies, but which 15-inch bias-ply tire best suits the car's appearance and intended use, and whether a radial equivalent is worth considering if wheel compatibility and overall clearance are checked carefully.
A 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size in which the 670 indicates an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width and the 15 identifies the rim diameter. On a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, this is the primary bias-ply fitment and it preserves the traditional construction and visual character associated with an early C1 Corvette. This size is available across several brands and tire series, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations. It is the size to start with when keeping the original-style look and construction is more important than moving to a modern radial format.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1960 Chevrolet Corvette covered here. The Base model uses the same 670-15 bias-ply size, so the focus shifts from sub-model differences to construction, sidewall style, and overall appearance goals.
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1960 Chevrolet Corvette Base
The 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Base uses the 670-15 bias-ply size on a 15-inch rim. That keeps tire selection centered on whether the car needs a traditional blackwall or whitewall presentation, or whether a radial equivalent should be evaluated with wheel and clearance checks in mind.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1960 Chevrolet Corvette
The original 670-15 size has four radial-equivalent options for a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette. Those alternatives are 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, P215/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial. Together they offer a range from conventional metric radial sizing to a radial that keeps a more traditional visual profile. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, and wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance should all be checked before changing construction.
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 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Tires for Sale
Available 670-15 choices span Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Excelsior, Avon, and STA, with several bias-ply series and sidewall treatments ranging from blackwall to narrow and wide whitewall. That gives this Corvette owner room to compare appearance, construction details, and rim-width specifications within the correct size.
Owners shopping tires for a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette usually want clarity on the 670-15 size, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette?
The primary tire size for a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette is 670-15. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size used on a 15-inch rim, and the covered Corvette Base model uses that same fitment.
That makes the first decision fairly simple: start with 670-15, then choose the tire by construction style and appearance rather than searching across multiple factory sizes. If the car has later wheels, modified suspension, or a radial conversion in mind, confirm the actual wheel width and available clearance before choosing an alternative.
What size rim does a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette use?
The 1960 Chevrolet Corvette uses a 15-inch rim with its 670-15 tire size. That rim diameter is the key measurement tied to the original bias-ply fitment and also matters when comparing any radial equivalent.
Rim diameter alone is not the whole story, especially on older cars that may have seen wheel changes over time. It helps to verify the actual wheel width on the car as well, since product options within 670-15 and its radial equivalents can call for different rim-width ranges.
What does 670-15 mean on a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette?
A 670-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply tire size. The 670 refers to an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width, while the 15 indicates the wheel diameter in inches.
Because this is an older sizing system, it does not read like a modern metric radial size such as P205/75R15. Understanding that difference helps when comparing bias-ply tires for restoration-minded use versus radial equivalents, since the same 15-inch rim diameter does not automatically mean every alternative will match the Corvette's wheel and body setup.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1960 Chevrolet Corvette?
For the 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. The available products in this primary fitment are bias-ply tires, which preserve the traditional sizing format and period-style presentation associated with the car.
That distinction matters because a radial equivalent is a separate choice, not the same thing as the original construction. Anyone considering a change should compare wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body or steering clearance so the Corvette's appearance and road behavior stay aligned with the way the car is being restored or driven.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 670-15?
Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15. Those cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial format.
Each one offers a different way to move from the original numeric bias-ply size into a radial layout while staying in the same general fitment conversation. A 5-7 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, but the Corvette's actual wheels, suspension condition, and fender clearance still need to be confirmed before choosing one.
What should I check before converting my 1960 Chevrolet Corvette from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the wheel diameter and actual wheel width on the car, then compare the intended radial equivalent against the Corvette's available clearance. The 670-15 size has radial alternatives, but they should be treated as options to evaluate rather than automatic substitutions.
A careful conversion also includes checking steering clearance at full lock, front and rear fender room, and the condition of suspension and alignment components. Cars with replacement wheels or stance changes deserve extra attention, since even a sensible radial equivalent can create problems if the wheel specification or body clearance is no longer close to stock.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette?
Begin with the correct 670-15 size and decide whether the goal is to keep a traditional bias-ply setup or move into a radial equivalent. Within the bias-ply choices, brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, and load figures all help separate one option from another.
A restoration-minded Corvette may lean toward the visual presentation of a particular blackwall or whitewall treatment, while a driver-focused car may put more emphasis on construction choice and wheel compatibility. It also helps to confirm the wheels on the car before comparing products, since some 670-15 offerings call for slightly different rim-width ranges.
What sidewall styles are available for 1960 Chevrolet Corvette tires?
The 1960 Chevrolet Corvette's 670-15 tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those options appear across several bias-ply brands and series, so the same base size can give the car a noticeably different visual character.
Sidewall style is often one of the biggest appearance decisions on a C1 Corvette because it changes the car's stance and period impression without altering the main fitment. The practical step is to match the sidewall treatment to the look being pursued, then confirm the rest of the tire's specifications still suit the wheel and intended use.
What brands offer tires for the 1960 Chevrolet Corvette?
670-15 tires for the 1960 Chevrolet Corvette are available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Goodyear, Excelsior, Avon, and STA. Those brands appear across several bias-ply series and sidewall treatments rather than a single uniform style.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the actual tire series, sidewall appearance, rim-width specification, and the way the car will be used. Some owners are primarily matching a restoration theme, while others are comparing product details within the correct size, so the strongest approach is to narrow the tire by fitment first and brand second.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1960 Chevrolet Corvette?
A period-style 1960 Chevrolet Corvette should start with the 670-15 bias-ply size, since that preserves the original sizing format and the traditional profile associated with the car. From there, the main decision becomes whether a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall look best suits the restoration direction.
Exact originality can vary by how a specific car was equipped and how closely the restoration is being judged, so appearance details deserve some vehicle-specific research when authenticity matters. For many owners, the practical path is to keep the correct primary size first, then choose the sidewall and brand presentation that best matches the intended era feel.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1960 Chevrolet Corvette?
Tire construction has a visible effect on a restored 1960 Chevrolet Corvette because a 670-15 bias-ply maintains the traditional shape and presentation expected from an early C1. A modern radial equivalent can change the visual impression even when it remains close in general fitment and uses the same rim diameter.
That does not make one approach universally right or wrong; it simply means the tire should match the purpose of the car. A show-oriented or historically styled restoration often stays with bias-ply, while an owner looking for radial construction may prefer a bias-look radial or another equivalent after confirming wheel compatibility and clearance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette even when the intended size is still 670-15 or one of its radial equivalents. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height adjustments, and body modifications can all change how much room the tire actually has.
That is why an older Corvette should be checked as it sits today, not only by model year. A car with changed wheel offset or lowered stance may need closer attention to steering clearance and fender space, especially before moving from the original bias-ply format to a radial alternative with different dimensions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette on new tires?
Before driving a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, verify inflation, and make sure the tires clear the body and suspension through a full steering sweep. Lug hardware, valve stems, and general wheel mounting condition deserve attention as well.
A collector car also benefits from a broader check of alignment, suspension wear, and brake condition before regular road use resumes. New tires cannot compensate for cracked bushings, poor alignment, or a wheel issue, so a short, careful test drive followed by a second visual inspection is a sensible final step.
How should 670-15 tires on a collector 1960 Chevrolet Corvette be maintained?
670-15 tires on a collector 1960 Chevrolet Corvette should be kept at the correct operating pressure for the tire and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and air loss. Because collector cars often sit for long periods, tire age and storage conditions matter almost as much as tread depth.
A Corvette stored indoors and driven occasionally can still develop tire problems from time, heat, or prolonged static loading. Moving the car periodically, keeping it away from ozone sources and direct sunlight, and inspecting the sidewalls before each outing helps preserve both safety and appearance on a vintage tire setup.