Wheel question for 69 Firebird

I recently purchased a set of American Racing Torq Thrust II 15X10 wheels. I have since learned that just because the wheel is 10 inches wide does not mean that the tire is 10 inches wide. Bottom line, they dont fit. I have less than an inch between rubber and quarter pannel with the wheels off the ground. Also in the photo, you can see that the tire sticks out past the quarter pannel. Not the desired look I was hoping to achieve. I'm not sure if they messed up on the back spacing, or If I just went with to large of a wheel. I have no prior wheel buying experience, and may have just made a costly mistake. Any help or advice would be greatly appriciated.

Doubt there is anyway a 10" wheel is going to fit the stock wheel well. Most cars of that age won't accept anything much bigger than a 15 X 7 for a stock wheel well.

So I should be good with a set of 15X7's? I just want to avoid making the same mistake twice. Again, thank you for your help.

I've been using the same wheel and tire guy for many years. When it's time for wheels and tires, I usually have him take a look and get what fits the first time. Just another case of the cheapest price not always being the best deal.

It might be best to find someone who has a 15 X 7 with the approximate same tire size you want and see if it will fit. Or, find a reputable tire store that stocks such items and see if they fit on your car. Unless you are 100% certain that the back spacing, wheel width, and overall tire diameter is going to fit right and look right, why waste anymore money????

Good point. I call around and see if I can find a shop to size me up. Thanks again.

In line with Dave's comments, look for the tire store(s) in your area (You're in a good sized town so I'd expect there are more than one) that deal regularly with "hot rodders". There's a device out there that a number of big wheel selling stores will use. It's adjustable for offset, width, bolt pattern, diameter. It allows them to take a tire off the shelf, set the tool on the car and adjust it to fit which then can be converted into measurements for the appropriate wheel. Doesn't require that the tire be mounted on a tire machine, so it's quicker and easier. Of course, a good shop will know how to do it with a straight edge and tape also. You won't get the wheels at the lowest price probably, but you don't make costlier mistakes either.

From memory, a G70X17 on a 7 inch rim was about the biggest safe tire for a 69 Z/28. Firebirds had a slightly bigger radius.. but not that much bigger.

As she said "Aint no way you're going to put a 10-incher in there"

You could fit 15x8 's in there depending on tire size and the condition/lift of the rear springs. A good size tire rim combo for 69 Firebird/ z/28 is 15 x 8's on 255 60 15's an d4.5" backspacing ( Again depending in the hight o fthe rear of the car).

Hope this helps

I found a couple of shops that told me to bring the car by and they would measure it. I dont want to mess up again, so I think that's safest option. Thanks again for the help.

There ya go, Dan. Doing it right the first time beats the heck out of gue$$ing !!!!

10 is way too big. I would go with a 7 or MAYBE a 8. I know a 8 will fit a truck but not sure about your car. A 7 should most likely fit.