The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette closed out the first-generation solid-axle era with crisp styling and a distinctly early-1960s American sports-car character. For restorers and weekend drivers alike, tire choice plays a big role in preserving that look and feel. This Corvette uses a 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, keeping the fitment squarely in the period sizing language of the day. Within that size, there are meaningful choices in brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment, along with modern radial-equivalent options for owners considering a different road-going setup. The key is deciding whether appearance, driving character, or a balance of both matters most for your specific car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette uses one primary tire size: 670-15. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same size. That means the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 670-15 tire best matches the car's intended appearance and use, and whether a radial equivalent is worth considering after checking wheel and clearance details.
In a numeric bias-ply size like 670-15, the 6.70 designation refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches with the decimal omitted, while 15 identifies the wheel diameter. On a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, this is the primary period-style bias-ply fitment and it preserves the vintage construction type associated with the car's era. Available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions from brands such as Firestone, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA across several classic tire series. Choosing within 670-15 comes down to the look you want, the wheel width you have, and whether the car is being restored, shown, or driven regularly.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1962 Corvette lineup. The listed sub-model shares the same primary tire size, so the focus shifts away from trim-level differences and toward construction, sidewall appearance, and wheel compatibility.
1
1962 Chevrolet Corvette Base
The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Base uses the same 670-15 bias-ply fitment on a 15-inch rim as the model core. That keeps tire selection centered on period-style presentation, available sidewall treatments, and whether a radial equivalent makes sense for the car's current wheel and road-use setup.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette
For the original 670-15 size, four radial-equivalent options are available. 195R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P205/75R15 is the P-metric 75-series radial equivalent, and P215/70R15 is the P-metric 70-series radial equivalent. A 670R15 bias-look radial is also available for owners who want a more traditional visual presentation. Together, these choices span metric, P-metric, and bias-look radial formats, with a recommended rim-width range of 5-7 inches. Any conversion should be checked against wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance before use.
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 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Tires for Sale
Available 670-15 choices span Firestone, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA. The product grid lets you compare classic bias-ply series in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, along with rim-width and load-capacity differences where stated.
Owners of a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette usually need clarity on 670-15 sizing, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, sidewall appearance, and the checks to make before putting a restored or lightly driven car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette?
The primary tire size for a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette is 670-15. That is a vintage numeric bias-ply size used on a 15-inch rim, and the covered Corvette Base sub-model uses that same fitment. For most owners, the fitment question is straightforward because there is one main original-style size to start from.
What matters next is confirming the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if it has been changed over the years. Once the 15-inch rim is verified, the decision becomes choosing the right 670-15 tire by sidewall style, brand, and tire series, or comparing one of the available radial-equivalent sizes if a different construction is being considered.
What size rim does a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette use?
The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette uses a 15-inch rim with its primary 670-15 tire size. That rim diameter is the critical match for the original-style bias-ply fitment and also forms the basis for the available radial-equivalent alternatives in 15-inch sizing.
Rim diameter is only the first check. Some 670-15 products also carry specific rim-width recommendations, and radial equivalents for this size are associated with a 5-7 inch recommended rim-width range. A Corvette that has replacement wheels, non-stock wheel widths, or other chassis changes should have both wheel width and clearance reviewed before choosing between bias-ply and radial constructions.
Does the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Base uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the model core, so there is no separate primary size to sort out for that covered sub-model. That makes the fitment side of the decision simpler than on vehicles with multiple trim-specific tire sizes.
Since the size stays the same, the real choice is how you want the car to present and drive. Some owners stay with a traditional 670-15 bias-ply in blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall form, while others compare radial-equivalent options after checking wheel width, tire dimensions, and the available space around the suspension and fenders.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette?
For the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to the era, and the available primary fitment products in this application are bias-ply constructions rather than modern radials.
That matters because construction affects both appearance and how the tire fits into a restoration-minded setup. Owners who want to keep the car in a more period-style presentation often stay with a bias-ply 670-15, while owners exploring radial alternatives should compare the equivalent size, wheel-width requirements, and available clearance before making a construction change.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 670-15?
Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P215/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial. A 670R15 bias-look radial is also available for buyers who want a radial construction with a more traditional visual profile.
Those options give the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette owner several ways to compare modern sizing conventions against the original bias-ply fitment. The recommended rim-width range attached to these equivalents is 5-7 inches, but equivalent sizing should still be treated as a comparison point rather than an automatic substitution, especially on cars with replacement wheels or altered ride height.
What should I check before converting my 1962 Chevrolet Corvette from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the wheel diameter, wheel width, and the exact radial-equivalent size under consideration. For a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette using 670-15 as its primary size, radial alternatives include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 5-7 inches for the equivalents.
A conversion should also account for real-world space around the fenders, steering, and suspension rather than size code alone. Cars that have been fitted with aftermarket wheels, alignment changes, replacement springs, or other modifications deserve extra scrutiny, and a careful comparison of tire dimensions and wheel compatibility helps avoid choosing a radial that does not suit the car's current setup.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette?
Start with the basics: 670-15 is the primary size, it is a bias-ply fitment, and it belongs on a 15-inch rim. From there, the most meaningful selection factors are the car's purpose, the wheel width in use, and whether the goal is a traditional period-style presentation or a different road-use approach through a radial equivalent.
Available 670-15 products vary by brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width recommendation, weight, and in some cases stated load capacity. A show-oriented car may lead toward a certain whitewall treatment, while a more understated look may point toward blackwall. Comparing those details carefully helps narrow the choices without drifting away from the correct primary size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1962 Chevrolet Corvette tires?
In 670-15, the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette has access to blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall tire styles. Those sidewall treatments appear across several bias-ply product lines, giving owners a meaningful appearance choice even though the primary tire size itself stays the same.
Sidewall style should be chosen to match the way the car is being presented rather than treated as a universal restoration answer. A blackwall can create a cleaner, more restrained look, while narrow and wide whitewalls push the visual character in different directions. Once the style is narrowed down, compare brands and rim-width details within that same 670-15 size.
What brands offer tires for the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette?
The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette has 670-15 tire choices from Firestone, BFGoodrich, US Royal, Goodyear, Universal Vintage Tire, Excelsior, Avon, Coker Classic, and STA. Those brands cover a wide spread of classic bias-ply offerings, and several also appear across more than one sidewall treatment or tire series.
Brand choice is best handled as part of a broader comparison rather than as a stand-alone decision. Once the correct size and desired sidewall style are established, it makes sense to compare the available series, stated rim-width fitment, product weight, and any listed load figures. That approach keeps the selection focused on the car's needs instead of on name recognition alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1962 Chevrolet Corvette?
A period-style starting point for a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette is a 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim. That keeps the car in its original-era sizing language and preserves the vintage construction type most closely associated with how an early-1960s Corvette would have been equipped in appearance and stance.
From there, the finer decision is usually sidewall presentation and brand character rather than size. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are all available, but exact originality can vary by how a specific car was delivered. When restoration accuracy matters beyond general period style, marque-club guidance and vehicle-specific historical references are worth checking before making a final selection.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1962 Chevrolet Corvette?
On a restored 1962 Chevrolet Corvette, construction has a visible effect because the car's original-era tire language centers on a 670-15 bias-ply. Bias-ply tires help maintain the traditional profile and overall visual character many owners expect from an early Corvette restoration or preservation-minded presentation.
A radial equivalent can still be considered, especially when road use is a priority, but it should be viewed as a change in construction rather than the same tire in another form. The 670R15 bias-look radial can bridge that gap visually, while metric and P-metric radials move further into modern sizing conventions. Wheel compatibility and clearance should be reviewed before making that shift.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette is 670-15 on a 15-inch rim, changes to wheels, suspension height, alignment, or body clearance can affect which tire setup works on the car today. That is especially important when comparing the original bias-ply size to one of the available radial-equivalent alternatives.
A Corvette with aftermarket wheels may have a different wheel width than expected, and suspension changes can alter clearance during turning or full travel. Checking the actual wheel dimensions, the available space at the fenders and steering components, and the selected tire's sizing details helps prevent choosing a combination that conflicts with the car's present configuration.
What should I inspect before driving a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette on new tires?
Before driving a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, verify that the chosen tire matches the wheel setup, and confirm proper inflation for the tire being used. It also makes sense to look over the suspension, steering, and brake components on a collector car that may have spent long periods parked.
A careful visual check of tire clearance should follow once the car is on the ground, with attention paid to fenders, suspension parts, and steering travel. After the first few drives, recheck pressure and look for any signs of rubbing, unusual wear, or air loss. Those simple steps help catch setup issues early, especially on an older car returning to regular road use.
How should 670-15 tires on a collector 1962 Chevrolet Corvette be maintained?
Collector-car tires like 670-15s on a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Even a lightly driven tire can age over time, so tread depth alone is not the whole story on a car that sees seasonal use, display duty, or long periods in the garage.
Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and any gradual air loss, and inspect the sidewalls as closely as the tread. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition between drives. If the car is driven infrequently, periodic inspection matters as much as mileage, because age and environment can affect a collector tire long before it wears out.