The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette introduced the Sting Ray coupe and marked a major design turning point for America’s sports car, blending sharp new styling with a more focused performance character. That makes tire choice on this model about more than basic replacement, because the wrong look or construction can change the car’s visual stance and driving feel. The primary fitment is a 670-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim. Within that size, there are blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices across several vintage-style series, along with radial equivalents for owners considering a different road-use setup. The right selection depends on whether appearance, restoration direction, or modern-driving preference comes first.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette uses one primary tire size: 670-15, a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch rim. The Corvette Base shares that same size, so the main decision is not between multiple original fitments but between sidewall style, tire series, and whether to stay with a traditional bias-ply construction or evaluate a radial equivalent.
A 670-15 numeric bias-ply size uses the leading number to indicate an approximate 6.70-inch nominal section width, while the final number identifies a 15-inch wheel. On the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, this is the primary bias-ply fitment and it sets the baseline for original-style appearance and period driving character. Available choices within 670-15 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs from Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, and STA across several classic tire series. That makes 670-15 the size to use when the goal is to preserve the Corvette’s traditional look while still choosing the brand and sidewall presentation that suits the car.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette covered here. The Corvette Base uses the same primary tire size, so the buying decision centers more on construction style and appearance than on trim-specific size differences.
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1963 Chevrolet Corvette Base
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Base uses the same 670-15 bias-ply fitment as the model line overall. That keeps tire selection focused on period-style blackwall or whitewall choices, or on comparing a radial equivalent if the wheel setup and intended road use justify the change.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
For the original 670-15 size, four radial-equivalent choices are available. 195R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P205/75R15 is the P-metric 75-series option, and P215/70R15 is the P-metric 70-series alternative. A 670R15 bias-look radial is also available for owners who want a more traditional visual presentation in a radial format. The recommended rim-width range is 5 to 7 inches, and 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 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Tires for Sale
Available 670-15 tires span Firestone, US Royal, BFGoodrich, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, Avon, Excelsior, and STA, with classic bias-ply series offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Rim-width specifications and load figures also vary enough to make product-to-product comparison worthwhile.
Common questions for the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette usually come down to the 670-15 size, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial decisions, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette?
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette uses a 670-15 bias-ply tire as its primary fitment. That size appears across the covered Corvette fitment here, so the starting point is straightforward: a 15-inch wheel with a 670-15 tire size rather than multiple original sizes to sort through.
Once the size is confirmed, the real choice becomes which 670-15 tire best suits the car. Available options differ by brand, tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width specification, and whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply setup or a radial-equivalent alternative that still needs to be checked against the wheel and vehicle dimensions.
What size rim does a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette use?
The primary 1963 Chevrolet Corvette tire fitment uses a 15-inch rim. That rim diameter matches the 670-15 size code, where the final number identifies the wheel diameter rather than the tire’s section width or profile.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a collector car that may have changed wheels over the years. It also helps to confirm the actual wheel width before choosing among available 670-15 products or converting to a radial equivalent, since tire options and equivalent sizes can carry different rim-width requirements.
Does the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Base uses the same 670-15 bias-ply tire size as the model fitment covered here. There is no separate primary size for the Base in this application, which simplifies the initial size decision.
That consistency means the next step is choosing the type of 670-15 tire that matches the car’s purpose. A restoration-oriented car may point toward a traditional blackwall or whitewall bias-ply, while a road-driven car may lead you to compare radial-equivalent options after confirming wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance around suspension and bodywork.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 670-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette?
For the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, 670-15 is the primary bias-ply tire size. In this format, the size code is a vintage numeric designation rather than a modern radial size, and the available original-style fitments in this application are bias-ply tires on a 15-inch rim.
That matters because a bias-ply tire influences both appearance and driving character. Owners aiming for a traditional presentation often stay with 670-15 bias-ply choices, while those considering a radial alternative should treat it as a separate fitment decision and verify wheel width, overall dimensions, and chassis clearance before making the switch.
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, P215/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. These alternatives give the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette owner several different radial sizing formats to compare.
Each equivalent should be evaluated as an alternative rather than an automatic substitute. The recommended rim-width range associated with these radial equivalents is 5 to 7 inches, and the final check should include actual wheel width, tire-to-body clearance, steering clearance, and the overall setup of the car before mounting a different construction.
What should I check before converting my 1963 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 the Corvette’s available space. For a 670-15 application, the radial alternatives include 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, and 670R15, with a recommended rim-width range of 5 to 7 inches.
A conversion also deserves a close look at steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and any prior modifications. A 1963 Chevrolet Corvette that has aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or worn suspension parts may react differently than a stock-height car, so the choice should be checked at the vehicle rather than treated as an automatic interchange.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 670-15 tire for a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette?
Begin with the correct primary size, which is 670-15 on a 15-inch rim, then narrow the choice by construction and appearance. For the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette, the available options are largely traditional bias-ply tires, with product differences that include brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width specification, weight, and published load figures on some products.
A restoration-focused car may point toward a period-style bias-ply with the right visual treatment, while a driver may be more concerned with wheel compatibility and how the tire complements the car’s use. Comparing the actual wheel width on the car is important, because not every 670-15 product carries the same rim-width recommendation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1963 Chevrolet Corvette tires?
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette’s 670-15 tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those appearance options are available across several bias-ply tire lines, giving owners room to shape the car’s final look without changing the primary tire size.
Sidewall style has a strong effect on how the car presents, especially on an early Sting Ray where tire appearance is very noticeable. The right choice depends on whether the car is being restored in a conservative period style, finished with a brighter whitewall look, or kept more understated with blackwalls while still staying within the correct size family.
What brands offer tires for the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette?
The 670-15 tire size for the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette is available from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands span several bias-ply series and sidewall treatments, so the buyer has more than one path within the same basic fitment.
Brand choice is best treated as part of a broader comparison rather than the only deciding factor. It helps to look at the specific series offered, whether the tire is blackwall or whitewall, the wheel-width specification, and any published load figure that matters for your application, especially if the car will see regular road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1963 Chevrolet Corvette?
A period-style 1963 Chevrolet Corvette starts with the primary 670-15 bias-ply size. From there, the choice becomes one of presentation and intended use, with available bias-ply options offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across several classic tire series.
For many restorations, staying with a bias-ply construction preserves the traditional stance and visual character associated with the car’s era. When exact originality matters beyond general period style, it is worth checking marque references, judging standards, or historical vehicle documentation before deciding on a specific brand or whitewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1963 Chevrolet Corvette?
Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1963 Chevrolet Corvette; it also changes how the car looks. A 670-15 bias-ply tire supports a more traditional vintage presentation, while a radial equivalent such as 195R15, P205/75R15, P215/70R15, or 670R15 can alter the visual impression depending on sidewall shape and styling.
That is why construction should be chosen alongside the restoration goal, not after it. A bias-look radial can help bridge the gap for owners who want radial construction without abandoning an older-style appearance, but wheel width, dimensions, and overall vehicle setup still need to be checked before treating it as the right answer.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette even when the car uses the correct basic size. Aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, altered ride height, suspension work, or body changes can all influence how a 670-15 tire or a radial equivalent sits and clears the car.
A Corvette with non-stock wheels or chassis changes should be measured at the car before new tires are chosen. Wheel diameter and width, steering clearance, fender clearance, and suspension travel all deserve attention, particularly when moving away from the primary bias-ply setup into a radial-equivalent size with different proportions.
What should I inspect before driving a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette on new tires?
Before driving a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm proper mounting, inflation, and valve-stem condition. It also makes sense to look over suspension and steering components so the new 670-15 tires are not being asked to work around avoidable alignment or wear issues.
Road readiness on a collector car goes beyond the tires themselves. Check for rubbing at full steering lock, verify even clearance around the fenders, and make sure there are no age-related issues elsewhere that could affect safe road use, especially if the car has been stored for long periods or recently returned to service.
How should 670-15 tires on a collector 1963 Chevrolet Corvette be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 670-15 size should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age even if the tread still looks good. On a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette that is driven infrequently, sidewall cracking, flat spotting from storage, cuts, bulges, and slow air loss can become more important than simple mileage wear.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on a low-use car. Keeping the Corvette away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and it is wise to inspect them before each outing and again before any longer drive where sustained speeds and heat will place more demand on the tire.