Competition 260 & 289 original "kidney bean" wheels

[Riverside racer]

John, on the Kidney beans, what offset and rim widths were used, or were they the same as the FIA`S?
Ross

[CompClassics]

Hi Ross

I'll have to check the measurements when I get back to the shop.

[LightNFast]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

Actually tire manufacturers tire sizes can vary widely as to what is embossed on the sidewall of the tire, it can be bigger or smaller but rarely is it exact dimensionally.

To correct further: AVON CR6ZZ 245/60R15 are 26.7" (not 26.9") tall according to the manufacturer.

This thread was not started as a comparison of tire sizes and which tire manufacturer is more correct than another manufacturer. When it comes down to that there is only personal preference and the tires that came on the original cars and since those tires are no longer available it does not matter which brand you use as none of the available tire manufacturers are "period correct" in any aspect other than they are all black. The same can be said for today's comp 289 Cobra wheel manufacturers, there is not one manufacturer that is producing a wheel that is a 100% copy / replica of the original wheels. If you want to be a builder / owner of a Cobra that is a 100% copy of the original 1960s Cobra than why would you settle for wheels (or anything else on the car) that was not as installed on the original Cobras? On the photo posted above with the four Cobras together the two on the left are in period photos, the two on the right are of a car that looks to have non-original wheel sizes, correct me if I am wrong and tire sizes (unless you only are interested in tire heights and nothing else). If I am correct in my observation than the tire widths on those tires in the photo have a wider footprint than the 1960s originals.
I am trying to point out that unless you have the 1960s original parts you have to make do until you can locate it or somebody reproduces it, hopefully whoever reproduces the part (any) does a 100% faithful reproduction of the original.

Was only trying to contribute and since you previously mentioned tire sizes I figured it was open for discussion. You originally stated Avon 245/70’s (as we now know in error) and I expressed interest - preferring the taller period correct look.

Let's just get back to selling tire makeovers...


...

[CompClassics]

Getting back to the original reason for this posting in the first place...

Ross,
Per the wheel sizes that you inquired about.

Front wheels are 6.0 X 15 with a 2 3/4" back spacing
Rear wheels are 7.0 X 15 with a 2 3/4" back spacing

[tkb289]

Hi John,

Nice work, it's fun to see work in progress.

A few questions:

- Are the wheels magnesium or aluminum?

- What is Dow coating, some kind of paint?

- Will you leave the wheel lips polished and just paint the center section?

Thanks.

- Tim

[CompClassics]

Hi Tim

The wheels are original 1960s magnesium parts. The DOW coating is a process that was used originally to protect the magnesium from oxidizing, it is still the recommended procedure today. The wheel lips are actually a machined finish that will be coated also.

[Riverside racer]

Thanks John. Look forward to seeing the progress.
Ross

[my427cobra]

As I dig deeper into the Shelby Goodyear racing tire distributorship history of the period (1962 to 1970) I'm learning a lot. And more every day with threads like this one. I am very deep into writing an article on this subject for SAAC and documenting large amounts of material for historical preservation.

However, one little piece of history to put in perspective the steep learning and development curve that Goodyear was climbing in 1964:

In January 1964, Goodyear enlisted the Cobra racing team to test tires at and in preparation for Daytona. They brought more than 30 sets of different tread designs, different shoulder designs, different rubber hardnesses (notice I didn't use the word "compounds" as compounding technologies as we know it today was just about to begin - you'll have to wait for my article to find out how it began), and different widths/sizes.

So what Goodyear comp tires that may have been on a comp Cobra immediately prior to Jan 1964 would have been very different from the Goodyear comp tires used by race time at Daytona.

And much more to think about after that race as Goodyear's race tire development skyrocketed.

I'm having fun!

Cheers
Greg

[peterpjb]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

Getting back to the original reason for this posting in the first place...

Ross,
Per the wheel sizes that you inquired about.

Front wheels are 6.0 X 15 with a 2 3/4" back spacing
Rear wheels are 7.0 X 15 with a 2 3/4" back spacing

hi john,

what maximum tire sizes should be used on slabsides with that wheelsize ?

[CompClassics]

The Cobra that these wheels are going on is an early independent comp Cobra with stock front fenders and flared rear fenders, we are going with 205 fronts and 245 rear in the AVON CR6ZZR tires. Krause has the 245s listed with a minimum rim width of 7.5" but the 7.0" rear rim width should be ok. The best part when using the AVONS is that there is only a slight difference front to rear in tire heights, unlike with the Goodyears "Sports Car Specials" where there is a noticeable difference in height.

[peterpjb]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

The Cobra that these wheels are going on is an early independent comp Cobra with stock front fenders and flared rear fenders, we are going with 205 fronts and 245 rear in the AVON CR6ZZR tires. Krause has the 245s listed with a minimum rim width of 7.5" but the 7.0" rear rim width should be ok. The best part when using the AVONS is that there is only a slight difference front to rear in tire heights, unlike with the Goodyears "Sports Car Specials" where there is a noticeable difference in height.

thank you,

other way round question..
do you think 245 AVON CR6ZZR tires are working on 9,5" rear wheels

[CompClassics]

Most definitely! We have a client that is running 295/60R15 on the rear of his original 1960s 427 Cobra, 245/60R15 on the fronts.
We also currently have an alloy 4000 Series Continuation Cobra that we are installing the same spec AVONS on in the shop now.

[1985 CCX]

Don't forget the Power Cushion route....
I like them however they are not a performance tire. Old school..