I'm thinking of taking the plunge and upgrading the tires/wheels on my '69 RS/SS vert for cruise nights. It's a Z11 so I don't want to change anything I can't unbolt. My understanding from reading the posts, articles, etc. is that the widest wheels/tires I can run are 17x9.5 with 5.5 backspacing with 275/40 tires on the rear and 17x8 with 5 backspacing with 245/45 tires on the front. The car is a big block at "stock" ride height, stock discs on the front, and drums on the rear. At this time I'm considering running eagle alloys 211 series (good value and made in the USA).

Here's the questions:
- Will these run with no modifications to the wheel wells?
- What exhaust systems are others running on a '69 with these sizes? The stock exhaust tailpipes look like they'll get in the way.

I run 245s front 275s on 17x8 all around on my 69 vert.with no problems. i have a mouse motor, however I don't think that would make any diff. I don't believe your exhaust will be a factor but I can't be sure since a had mine built with the tires in place and run the tails out just behind the tires.

Dave, what kind of backspace are you running on the rims? Any particular reason for not going to the 9 1/2" rears?