I got my merc driving a couple of months ago and i do not like the stance on it. the weather here is getting to the point I will not be able to drive it so it is time to tear it down and do some work on it. i currently have 195/65/15 tires up front and 235/75/15 tire in back which are way too big. I have a 72 buick skylark ch***is with a 472 cadillac for power. I also have 3" lowering springs in the rear. I want to know what is a typical tire size you guys run on mercs and how low can you go before it is undrivible. I have considered bags but right now would like to see if I can get the stance I want without them. I also want to use these tire for my hot rod and replace them with new so any sugestions would be helpful. here is a pic of the car.
I'm running 215/75R15's on all four corners and 1970-ish Nova front clip. I didn't build the car, so I don't know if it has cut springs in the front, but it does not have dropped spindles. The rear has 2 inch drop Posies Super Slide springs and I forget how tall blocks...3 inches I think. The rear is about 1.5 inches below the stock bumpstops. Static drop and I drive it daily everywhere I go. It could really use a c-notch in the back and I intend to do one someday. Other than hitting the bumpstops in the rear occasionally, it rides real nice and I see no reason for bags for my use.
I ran 215/75/15's when I first put the car together in 1994. The fronts rubbed bad and the rears s****ed the fender skirts every time I turned a corner doing more than 30 mph. I did a little experimenting and have run Coker 205/75/15's now for about 10 years, airshocks in the back, big block springs up front with some late model GM wheels in front to clear the disc brakes. 70 GM A body ch***is, 350/350 with almost 60K miles on the car now. They run good, no clearance issues or load problems. Probably wouldn't want to run all 205's on the hot rod, tho...
Thanks for the advice just want it to look right. Maybe just buy 195's so they are all the same but hope to keep traction due to the 472
215 75 15's all the way around for radials. for by*** plys i like G-78's. the white wall size plays a part to on apperance, these Denmans the whites are the length of a business card.
firestone 710-15 bias play whitewall is the legendary merc tire Nice merc too, I dig the heavy chop and hardtop. It would look killer about 3" lower in the back.
Sounds to me like you're way too small in front and too big in back. 65 series tires have no place on a custom Merc. Some of the suggestions here (like 205-75 all around) make more sense.
I'm at work so I don't have access to my pic's,but I like mine about 3" lower in the rear. I like the taildragger look. I'm running Coker G-78 15's,3 1/4" white walls.
I'm running 7:10X15 bias ply, Firestone Delux Champs, all the way around. Cars on an 80 Malibu frame with cut coils in back, stock in front
I think the g-78's with a 3 1/4" white wall are the ticket. That will make my back end come down slightly lower than the front which is the best looking stance for a merc. I will then will play with the stance if I dont like it. Thanks guys
I could be wrong but I think 710X15 were the original supplied tire on 1949 Mercs. ? Don't know who supplied them ,BFG ,etc.
thats what i put on this one ...... i personally like the size best... (btw, if anyone might have save pics of this car id apreciate it if you could email me furlongsmm@aol.com .i lost all pics of it when my old computer died! thanks to 50mercfan for this pic!)
I was doing new wheels and tires for a friends 40 merc at the time …. I did a ton of looking and reading / research and found that size turning up on a lot of the 50’s hero customs. Then I started researching available new tires and found the BFG had the biggest WW. So I got them and new sombreros - raised the nose some …… I think it looks perfect. IMO A 40’s & 50’s custom style car needs the big white walls … the narrower ones and the ww’s on radials kill the early look before and after
The Jalopy Journal
