The 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang sits at the intersection of big-block-era American performance and Shelby-tuned street presence, making tire choice part of the car’s overall character rather than a simple maintenance detail. For this model, the primary fitment is an E70-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, which keeps the car in its proper late-1960s sizing language. Within that size, choices include Firestone and Goodyear offerings, along with blackwall and raised white letter sidewall treatments. Radial equivalents are also available for owners balancing period-style appearance against modern road-use preferences. The key is matching the tire to the car’s intended look, wheel setup, and driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang
The 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang uses one primary tire size: E70-15. That size is a bias-ply fitment for a 15-inch rim, and the covered GT sub-model uses the same sizing. Once the size is confirmed, the real decision shifts to brand, sidewall appearance, tire series, and whether to stay with the original-style bias-ply format or evaluate one of the available radial equivalents.
E70-15 is a vintage alphanumeric size in which the letter identifies the tire’s size class, the 70 marks its profile family, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang, it is a bias-ply fitment that suits the car’s late-1960s performance character and traditional tire profile. Available choices include Firestone and Goodyear products in series such as Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Speedway 350, Speedway Wide Tread GT, and Custom Wide Tread, with RWL and blackwall sidewalls. This size is the starting point for owners pursuing a period-style presentation and proper 15-inch fitment.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang sub-model. The GT uses the same primary tire size, so the main decision is not between multiple fitments but between tire styles, brands, and whether to remain with bias-ply construction or consider a radial equivalent.
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1968 Ford Shelby Mustang GT
The 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang GT uses the E70-15 bias-ply tire size on a 15-inch rim. That keeps tire selection focused on sidewall style, brand, and series, while also leaving room to compare radial-equivalent sizes if the car’s wheel setup and intended use support a construction change.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang
E70-15 has three radial-equivalent options for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang. Those alternatives are 185R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P195/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P205/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial. Together, they give a choice between older Euro-metric sizing and two P-metric profile approaches. The recommended rim-width range is 5 to 6 inches, so wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance should all be checked before switching from the primary bias-ply size.
Modern Radial Equivalents
185R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (E70-15)
P195/75R15
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (E70-15)
P205/70R15
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (E70-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (5-6 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 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang Tires for Sale
Available E70-15 tires for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang include Firestone and Goodyear bias-ply options across several period-style series. The product grid lets buyers compare RWL and blackwall sidewalls along with differences in rim-width specifications, load figures, and overall tire presentation.
Common questions for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang usually center on the E70-15 size, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial alternatives, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a collector-era Shelby back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang?
The primary tire size for a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang is E70-15. This is a vintage alphanumeric bias-ply size used on a 15-inch rim, and it is the main fitment to start with when selecting replacement tires for the car.
That answer settles the size question, but not every E70-15 tire has the same look or intended character. Sidewall treatment, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility still matter, especially on a Shelby where stance and appearance are part of the ownership experience. It is also wise to confirm that the car still has the expected wheel setup before finalizing a tire choice.
What size rim does a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang use?
The 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang uses a 15-inch rim with its primary E70-15 tire fitment. That 15-inch diameter is the key wheel measurement tied directly to the tire size, since the final number in E70-15 corresponds to the rim diameter.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before looking at any replacement tire, especially on older performance cars that may have had wheels changed over time. Diameter alone is not the whole story, though. Actual wheel width should also be checked against the tire being considered, because product options within E70-15 do not all share exactly the same rim-width specification.
Does the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang GT use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang GT uses the same primary E70-15 bias-ply tire size as the model fitment shown here. That keeps tire selection straightforward, with the focus staying on the right 15-inch size and the style of tire you want on the car.
Shared fitment does not mean every tire choice looks or behaves the same. The practical decision becomes whether you want a blackwall or raised white letter presentation, which brand or series best suits the car’s character, and whether the current wheel setup still matches the tire’s requirements. Those checks matter more than sub-model differences in this case.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is E70-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang?
E70-15 is a bias-ply tire for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang. That construction matches the vehicle’s primary fitment style and preserves the older alphanumeric sizing format associated with late-1960s American performance cars.
Keeping a bias-ply tire often appeals to owners who want a traditional period-style look and driving presentation. A construction change is possible only through an equivalent radial size, not by treating E70-15 itself as a radial code. Before changing constructions, check wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance so the alternative suits the car’s actual setup rather than just the nominal rim diameter.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to E70-15?
Radial equivalents for E70-15 include 185R15, P195/75R15, and P205/70R15. Those choices cover an 80-series metric radial, a P-metric 75-series radial, and a P-metric 70-series radial, giving the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang owner several modern sizing formats to compare.
Each of those sizes should be treated as an alternative rather than an automatic substitute. The recommended rim-width range tied to these equivalents is 5 to 6 inches, so actual wheel width matters before conversion. Overall dimensions and clearance at the fenders and steering should also be reviewed, especially if the car has replacement wheels, altered ride height, or other changes from stock configuration.
What should I check before converting my 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the wheel diameter and the actual wheel width on the car, then compare that setup to the radial equivalent being considered for the original E70-15 fitment. The 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang has usable radial alternatives, but the correct choice depends on the wheel and vehicle combination actually in place.
Clearance should be checked at the front suspension, steering range, and outer fenders before a conversion is treated as workable. It also helps to think about your goal for the car. A restoration-oriented Shelby may call for staying with bias-ply construction, while a road-driven car may lead you to one of the metric or P-metric radial equivalents after those fitment checks are completed.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a E70-15 tire for a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang?
Start with the correct primary size, E70-15, and confirm that the car still uses a 15-inch wheel setup suited to that tire. From there, the main selection factors are bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility for the specific product you are considering.
A Shelby owner often wants the tire to support both the car’s stance and its intended use. An RWL tire creates a different visual impression than a blackwall, and one series may suit your appearance goals better than another even within the same size. Matching the tire to the wheel and to the character of the car is more useful than choosing by size alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang tires?
E70-15 tires for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang are available with RWL and blackwall sidewall styles. RWL gives the car a raised white letter performance look, while blackwall offers a cleaner and more understated presentation in the same basic size.
The best choice depends on how you want the Shelby to read visually. Some owners prefer the bolder late-1960s muscle-car impression of raised white letters, while others want a simpler period-style look. Sidewall style does not change the need to confirm the tire’s wheel-width compatibility and construction, so appearance should be considered alongside fitment rather than instead of it.
What brands offer tires for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang?
Firestone and Goodyear both offer E70-15 tires for the 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang. Within those brands, the available options span several series, including Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Goodyear Speedway 350, Goodyear Speedway Wide Tread GT, and Goodyear Custom Wide Tread.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. The more useful comparison is how each tire presents the car through its sidewall treatment, series character, and wheel-width specification. Looking at the Shelby’s current wheels and deciding whether the car is aimed toward restoration-style appearance or general collector road use will usually narrow the field more effectively than choosing by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang?
For a period-style 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang, the natural starting point is the primary E70-15 bias-ply fitment. That keeps the car in its original-era sizing language and preserves the visual character associated with a late-1960s Shelby performance car on 15-inch wheels.
From there, the choice comes down to the presentation you want the car to have. RWL and blackwall options create noticeably different visual results, and Firestone and Goodyear series add further variation within the same size. If exact restoration accuracy matters, compare the tire you are considering with marque-specific documentation or period photos rather than assuming any current sidewall treatment is automatically correct.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang?
Tire construction affects both the look and the stance of a restored 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang. Staying with the primary E70-15 bias-ply format retains the vintage alphanumeric sizing style and the traditional visual impression that many restoration-minded owners want on a car from this era.
A radial equivalent can change the way the tire is labeled and how it presents the car, even when it is chosen as an alternative to the same original fitment. That does not make a radial wrong, but it does make construction part of the appearance decision. Owners building a period-style Shelby usually weigh construction just as carefully as brand, series, and sidewall lettering.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang even when the nominal size remains E70-15 or one of its radial equivalents. Changes to wheel width, wheel design, ride height, suspension parts, or body clearance can all influence what works once the car is viewed as an actual physical package.
That is why a modified Shelby should be measured, not assumed. Check the wheel diameter and width first, then look at clearance through the steering range and at the fender edges. A tire that suits one 15-inch setup may not suit another if the car has been lowered, fitted with aftermarket wheels, or altered in a way that changes available space.
What should I inspect before driving a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang on new tires?
Before driving a 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and confirm the tire is seated properly and inflated correctly for the application. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being asked to work with worn parts or poor alignment conditions.
A short inspection drive should include watching for rubbing, vibration, unusual pull, or any sign that the tire is too close to suspension or bodywork. On a collector car, recheck pressure after the first outing and keep an eye on the sidewalls and tread for any irregularity. Small issues are easier to correct early than after miles have been added.
How should E70-15 tires on a collector 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang be maintained?
E70-15 tires on a collector 1968 Ford Shelby Mustang should be inspected regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of aging. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so tire condition can decline from time and storage even when mileage remains low.
Good maintenance also means protecting the car from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone-producing equipment during storage. Keep pressures checked, move the car periodically when practical, and look closely before longer drives after extended downtime. A Shelby that appears road-ready cosmetically still benefits from a careful tire inspection before being trusted at highway speed.