Okay, I'm guessing that they are measuring the backspace from the bead set of the rim and not the outer lip then. In which case they would fit just fine. That's what is throwing me off. :biggthumpup:

Post back with the fronts done, I'm anxious to hear.

Thanks.

Any word on the front tires?

I might take the plunge this weekend and order a set, and check the back spacing a couple different ways. If it turns out they won't fit the Camaro, I'll put them on another car here.

Incidentally I was searching around and found that Weld Wheels measures the backspacing just how I originally described. Video here, fast forward to 3 minutes and skip the mumbo jumbo.

https://youtu.be/n96lE8jdMlQ

Has me thinking.....how is American Racing doing it? Because Weld is doing it from the very back lip of the wheel, like I mentioned earlier. I believe that is the standardized way. Measuring from the bead set gives me the confidence that the wheel is the same as a 15x7 rally (~3.75" from the bead), but what are they doing?

This is how I've always understood backspacing as well. If you find American is doing it different, please post back, as I've ignored some AR wheels duw to lack of backspace.

If you compare the backspace and offset listed in the AR catalog for a given wheel, I believe they are doing it the standard way (same as Weld).

I plan on getting them mounted this weekend and will test them out. After that I will post a picture and let you know how they are.

So I took it out for a drive on some very bumpy and somewhat dippy roads with two little girls in the backseat and my wife in the passenger seat plus a full tank of gas. I also cut the wheel all the way to left and right while driving in tight circles in a parking lot.
I never felt or heard any rubbing but what I did notice was a slight line on the outside of the front left tire. After further investigating it was slightly and I mean slightly touching the top bolt head on the inner fender. The other side didn't touch because that top bolt was not in. I removed the top bolt of the left side and I am almost certain that it fixed it but didn't have time to test it. I am going to buy a few flat button bolts today on the way home from the office and I think I am good to go. Looks wise, I am very pleased.

I think if someone didn't want a wider lower type stance and went with a stock size tire like maybe a 215/70 there would no issues. Plus every car is a bit different as we all know.

Looks great, I like it. Your car in the picture doesn't appear to sit any higher than mine.

I ordered a set. I'll check the back spacing and go from there. I have a couple different plans of attack if I run into any issues.

Just something to note. You mentioned your top inner fender bolt touching.

I don't know if this is factory or not, because they have been there since the mid 80's (as far as I know about the car) but mine have very shallow hex head bolts in those locations (12 o'clock) on both sides, and I assume it's just for that reason, more tire clearance. They are very shallow heads, tricky to keep a wrench or socket on them. I'd guess they aren't more than an 1/8" thick.

I suspect someone did that with maybe some tire issues in the past. That is exactly what I am going to do. Honestly, this is a very minor thing to deal with after seeing how they look. I would have gone to much greater measures to keep this look.

Yep that's what I suspect since both actuator covers had holes worn in them from someone putting too large of a front tire on it.

Even as the car is now with stock rallys and 215/65's, as I mentioned once in a great while when turning and backing up I hear a tire rub at full lock. Both of those shallow bolt heads are "polished" LOL

Wouldn't bother me at all to switch the front to a 215-70 (stock size) if need be.

Wheels arrived today (however without lug nuts and valves stems that are supposed to be included)

Anyway, the back spacing is indeed 3.75" as measured from the outer wheel lip. The wheel also weighs 19 lbs. for those interested.

I won't get a chance to dismount tires until Saturday. I'll start with the front first since that's likely the trouble spot and see how things fit.

Send us some picks when you install!!!

How do I remove these outer fender well bolts without losing the backing? Took one out and heard the back drop down so I stopped. Found some perfect button headed bolts for this too. Must be a trick to it?

I just got done installing them. I couldn't wait so I took time off work, grabbed the car from my wife, and started mounting tires. My pics are too big so I can't post them.

I haven't driven the car yet accept from the back shop to the front of the house. Going on a test drive this evening to see how it goes.

What do you mean the back dropped down? You just removed the top inner bolt at 12 o'clock right? That shouldn't have disturbed anything since there are a half dozen of those bolts around the parameter plus 2 or 3 that attach to the lower firewall in the back. I've had a couple of my upper inner fender bolts in and out without any problems. Is it now out of alignment??

For those that are interested, I weighed everything with and without tires while I was swapping. The gist of it is the rallys with tires are 225 lbs. The Torque Thrusts with tires is 190 lbs.

Went for a test run. Went through back roads with dips and bumps, several turns, then got on an open stretch of highway and cruised 65 mph, through some transition bumps and bridges.

Heard no rubbing right up until I pulled in my driveway, made a right hand turn at 5 mph and the left front tire rubbed the fender pretty good. In the garage I can't tell where it touched anything on the tire.

We'll see how it goes this weekend as we get more drive time with it. I have yet to try odd angles into parking lots, and need to load the family in it as well. If I hear anymore from the front then worse case scenario I'll buy a set of 215-70's. Not a big deal.

Went for another run. Definitely rubbing on those 12 o'clock inner fender bolts when I turn near full lock. Worse turning right, but also rubs turning left. So I took your suggestion and installed a couple of button head bolts. Then I noticed something interesting. Those shallow head bolts in those locations were actually just a pinch too long and just as they touched the fender they bottomed out.

I shortened the button head bolts to about 3/4" and installed. I noticed they actually drew in the fender a little tighter. May be just enough to work.

Nothing rubbing in the rear surprisingly as close as those sidewalls look to the inner quarter panel lips. I have yet to load groceries and such in there so I'll cross that road when I get to that point, but 3 adults in the car didn't affect it.

My 255's in the rear don't rub so you should be ok in rear. I removed the bolt at 12 o'clock on the side that was rubbing and problem solved. I have the button bolts just haven't put them in yet. Drove the car again yesterday with no issues.

Here's a curveball, my buddy pulls up to my house Saturday in his 69 with brand new wheels like ours. He went with new F60 Firestone Wide Oval Radials in the front and rear. We drove around in his car about 90 miles on Saturday and he had zero rubbing, we could not even make them rub. He has all the factory bolts in his fenders as well. These cars must all vary that much! From what I understand the F60 is about the equivalent to a 235/60. Not only do they not rub but they looks absolutely incredible.

Cool. I think ride height is going to be a player that varies from one to the next. We ran some errands yesterday after I installed the button heads at 12 o'clock and heard no further rubbing from the front tires.

Very true, his car sits up about an inch higher than mine at all 4 corners. Glad to hear your in good shape. These cars should have come from the factory with these wheels IMO.

I agree, totally changed the appearance of the car. 100% better. Something I've wanted to do to the car for a couple years and finally did thanks to you :beers:

Your welcome, LOL. Please send a picture!!!
I am taking this thing to Good Guys this weekend in Fort Worth and cant wait! Its about an hour drive to get there and that's half the fun.

Would love to see a picture... I'll bet those wheels and tires look great together.

Cool. Goodguys is the following weekend here, hour and half drive for me, I'll probably take the Z.

I sent you a PM, will send a pic that way, can't post them here due to size.