What size tires came stock on the 1963 SS

12962 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by AllyMcReal, Feb 18, 2016

TMack63nova

Discussion Starter · Sep 12, 2012

Hello:

I'm researching the stock tire size that Chevy installed on the 1963 SS using the 14 X 5 wheel.

I have checked the owner’s manual as well as the shop supplement but they do not give a tire size. I have also read a lot of the threads and have come across so many different size tires but I have no clue as to the stock size tire.

Please help, I will await the answers.

Thanks,

Tom

TMack63Nova :ragtop:

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

CdnL79 Registry

· #2 · Sep 13, 2012

The 1963 Nova SS came with 6.50X14 tires.

Bob

TMack63nova

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 13, 2012

Was the stock tire size 185/75/14R or 195/75/14R?

Thanks for the reply!!

:ragtop:

CdnL79 Registry

· #4 · Sep 14, 2012

TMack63nova said:
Was the stock tire size 185/75/14R or 195/75/14R?

Thanks for the reply!!

:ragtop:

The P-Metric equivalent would be 185/75/14R

B.

TMack63nova

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 14, 2012

Thank you. That was the stock size that was installed on the 63 SS Nova?

:ragtop:

CdnL79 Registry

· #6 · Sep 15, 2012

TMack63nova said:
Thank you. That was the stock size that was installed on the 63 SS Nova?

:ragtop:

There was no P-Metric sizing in tires in 1963. They came from the factory with 6.50X14 tires. You can still get these sizes from places like Coker Tire, etc. Otherwise, the modern equivalent is 185/75/R14.

Bob

TMack63nova

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 15, 2012

Bob:

Thanks for the information!! That's what I needed to know. Now I have a place to start to find the period correct tire size.

Thanks again,

Tom

:ragtop:

ChevyII MD

· #8 · Sep 15, 2012

I will never claim to know much...
But never knew after playing with a 63 Nova since 79, that there was a 14 inch 4 lug rim...

Great info here!

Mark

TMack63nova

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 18, 2012

Yep, in 63 if you purchased an SS you had an option for the 14 inch wheel. I think the third seat wagons all had the 14 inch, 4 lug as stock wheels.

:ragtop:

CdnL79 Registry

· #10 · Sep 18, 2012

TMack63nova said:
Yep, in 63 if you purchased an SS you had an option for the 14 inch wheel. I think the third seat wagons all had the 14 inch, 4 lug as stock wheels.:ragtop:

Actually, on '63 SS cars they weren't a stand alone option. They came as part of the RPO Z03 Super Sport package. These cars had to have 14 inch wheels to accomodate the SS wheel covers that came from the 1963 Impala SS.

Bob

TMack63nova

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 19, 2012

Cool, that's great information!! I've added more Nova knowledge to my list!!

Thanks!!

:ragtop:

Carusojoe

· #12 · Feb 18, 2016

Does anyone know what the biggest tire and steel rim combo is that I can use on my 63 nova conv SS is and also still use the SS hub caps. I will be buying both rims and tires but want the retro look using the original Hubcaps. I don't want to modify anything. Thanks.

cs in alabama

· #13 · Feb 18, 2016

Tirerack

Tire racks says it was a 185/75R-14 or 195/75R-14 as OE sizes. You can go to their website and shop by 14" rim size to find your tires. I see the largest 14" they have is 225/50R-14. Whether they will fit or not depends on your suspension I suppose.

tmoore79

· #14 · Feb 18, 2016

Original was a Bias-Ply, thus the 6.50X14 size Bob first mentioned. If you want OG, then you have to get the Bias-Ply. My Dad claims the car's stock suspension was build for a Bias-Ply tire and will handle better with one versus a radial tire. I'm not sure how much truth there is to that. I still have a Bias-Ply spare in the trunk that may even be the original.

AllyMcReal

· #15 · Feb 18, 2016

tmoore79 said:
Original was a Bias-Ply, thus the 6.50X14 size Bob first mentioned. If you want OG, then you have to get the Bias-Ply. My Dad claims the car's stock suspension was build for a Bias-Ply tire and will handle better with one versus a radial tire. I'm not sure how much truth there is to that. I still have a Bias-Ply spare in the trunk that may even be the original.

I think I put in with your dad and the design being for bias ply tires. Just my two cents, but when I had a Nova with 14 inch wheels (stock) I ran a set of 185/75R 14 tires that were made for a Vanagon. Radials, but with a reinforced sidewall, and that helped keep the tires straight up and down more than other radials seemed to. Not at all a performance tire, but better steering up front.

One caveat: Be SURE to check any new 'vintage' bias ply tires you buy. Bought a set of 14s for a wagon I restored, and the tires were miserable. Tread depth varied significantly (1/4 " and more opposite side to opposite side on two of them) and balancing them was a joke. Just what you need...go to the trouble of painting wheels correctly and then hanging what amounts to 2 huge pieces of lead to the outer rim, hoping they stay on. Check the tires, mount and balance them, and be sure to get a refund on ones that don't measure up.

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