1968 Ford GT Tires

The 1968 Ford GT uses two primary tire sizes: 815-15 and G70-15. Both are bias-ply sizes built for 15-inch rims, so the correct starting point is identifying which of those two fitments is actually on the car now.

That distinction matters because the two sizes follow different vintage sizing systems and lead to different product choices. Before replacing tires, confirm the wheel diameter and compare the existing tire size on the vehicle so the next set matches the car’s current setup, appearance goals, and clearance needs.

The primary tire fitments for a 1968 Ford GT use a 15-inch rim diameter. Both 815-15 and G70-15 are built around that same rim diameter, even though they belong to different vintage sizing formats.

Rim diameter alone does not settle the fitment question, because wheel width also affects which tire works properly on the car. It is worth measuring the actual wheels before ordering, especially if the GT has been changed over the years or wears aftermarket wheels that differ from its earlier setup.

G70-15 is a vintage alphanumeric bias-ply tire size. The letter G identifies the tire’s size class, the 70 refers to its profile family, and the 15 tells you it fits a 15-inch rim.

That format is different from modern metric sizing, so it helps to treat G70-15 as a period tire designation rather than trying to compare it by width number alone. On a 1968 Ford GT, it also opens up several sidewall and brand choices, plus radial equivalents that should be checked against wheel width and overall fit.

For the 1968 Ford GT, G70-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. The available G70-15 products are bias-ply tires from Firestone and Goodyear, offered in muscle-era series and sidewall treatments.

That means a buyer choosing G70-15 can stay with a traditional bias-ply construction or evaluate a separate radial equivalent in a comparable size family. Construction changes should be treated carefully, with attention to wheel width, tire dimensions, and the way the car is expected to look and behave on the road.

Radial equivalents for G70-15 include 205R15, P215/75R15, P225/70R15, and 710R15. Those cover an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, a 70-series P-metric radial, and a bias-look radial alternative.

Each option represents a different sizing convention and visual approach, so the decision is not just radial versus bias-ply. The recommended rim-width range for the equivalents is 6 to 8 inches, and the final choice should be checked against the car’s wheel setup, overall dimensions, and steering and body clearance.

Start by confirming the original tire size on the car and matching it to a real radial equivalent, such as the G70-15 alternatives available in 205R15, P215/75R15, P225/70R15, or 710R15. The wheel must also suit the radial’s required rim-width range.

A conversion should also account for the GT’s actual wheel width, the tire’s overall dimensions, and clearance at the fenders and steering range. Owners often find that construction choice affects both appearance and feel, so it makes sense to weigh road-use priorities against the traditional look of a bias-ply setup.

The first consideration is whether the car uses 815-15 or G70-15, since both are valid primary sizes for a 1968 Ford GT and both are bias-ply fitments on 15-inch rims. After that, construction type, wheel width, and overall appearance become the main decision points.

An owner focused on a traditional presentation may lean toward the available bias-ply offerings, while someone comparing alternatives may also look at the radial equivalents tied to G70-15. It also helps to compare sidewall style, tire series, and load specification so the final choice suits the car’s setup and intended use.

The available sidewall styles for 1968 Ford GT tires include narrow whitewall, whitewall-redline, redline, raised white letter, and pin-white-stripe. Those styles vary by tire size and series, with 815-15 leaning toward BFGoodrich whitewall treatments and G70-15 offering more performance-era visual options.

Sidewall choice has a strong effect on how the car reads visually, especially on a late-1960s performance model. It is worth selecting the sidewall treatment only after confirming the correct tire size, because the look you want may narrow the product choices within 815-15 or G70-15.

Tires for the 1968 Ford GT are available from BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Goodyear. BFGoodrich appears in 815-15 through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line, while Firestone and Goodyear offer G70-15 options in Wide Oval and Custom Wide Tread series.

Brand matters mostly as part of the overall package rather than as a ranking exercise. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare each brand’s available sidewall treatment, series character, load specification, and rim-width range so the tire matches both the wheel setup and the visual direction of the car.

A period-style 1968 Ford GT tire choice starts with the correct primary size already on the car, either 815-15 or G70-15, both in bias-ply construction. From there, the visual character changes significantly depending on whether the car wears a formal whitewall treatment or a more performance-oriented redline, raised white letter, or pin-white-stripe look.

That makes the decision as much about presentation as fitment. Buyers pursuing a historically grounded restoration should compare the car’s existing documentation, period photos, or marque-specific references before settling on a sidewall style, since a tire can look right for the era without necessarily matching one exact original delivery configuration.

Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1968 Ford GT even before the car moves. A bias-ply tire generally preserves the traditional late-1960s presentation of the available primary fitments, while a radial equivalent for G70-15 can introduce a different visual stance depending on the tire selected.

A bias-look radial such as 710R15 may appeal to owners who want radial construction without moving too far from a vintage appearance. The best approach is to decide first whether the restoration priority is period-style authenticity of look, modernized road use, or a balanced compromise between the two.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Ford GT even when the tire size itself is one of the correct primary options. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, steering components, or body clearance can all alter how an 815-15 or G70-15 sits on the car.

That is especially important if the GT has aftermarket wheels or has been lowered or otherwise changed over time. A tire that suits the original wheel dimensions may need additional checking on a modified setup, particularly at full steering lock and through normal suspension travel.

Before driving a 1968 Ford GT on new tires, inspect the wheels for proper diameter and condition, confirm the tires are seated correctly, and check inflation pressure carefully. It also makes sense to look over the suspension and steering so the new tires are not being asked to work with worn components.

A short initial road test should include attention to vibration, rubbing, and straight-line behavior, followed by another pressure check once the tires have settled in. Collector cars that spend long periods parked also benefit from a close look at wheel hardware, valve stems, and any signs of interference around the inner fenders.

Collector-car tires in 815-15 and G70-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition rather than tread depth alone. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and gradual air loss all deserve prompt attention on a low-use 1968 Ford GT.

Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector vehicle. Keeping the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional inspections of wheel condition and clearance can catch problems early before a longer road outing.