1991 Cadillac RWD Brougham Tire Fitment

[beastly beauties]

I recently purchased a 1991 Cadillac Brougham and have a new set of P235/75R15 tires I would like to use. Will these tires fit without any interference issues.    Thank You, David Symonds

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

They will "fit" but that size looks out of place on Cadillacs of this era, IMHO.

[Scot Minesinger]

The tires will fit, and IMO they look great. 

[TJ Hopland]

What was stock then like a 225 70 15?    The round bodies were kinda like the old cars where it was a tight fit getting the rear wheels in with the skirt but since this is a square body more or less from the late 70's I would think they would fit.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Beginning in 1977, the stock tire size for a Fleetwood Brougham was 225 75R 15 (HR 78 15 as it was designated back then); 215 75R 15 for DeVille (GR 78 15).

I believe the Brougham got the "DeVille sized tire" in 1980 (215 75R 15) until 1985, possibly 1986 then returning to the 225 size from 1986 or 1987 until then end in 1992.

[Walter Youshock]

I got new tires on my '90 once.  The shop put 235s on it.  I really didn't look at them, just paid the bill and left.  Turned up my street and got a horrible noise from the front of the car.  The tire was hitting the fender on sharp turns.

Took the car back and the guy started arguing with me.  I dragged him out to the car and showed him the tire placard on the door.  He said his computer said the 235 was the correct tire.  They ate those tires.

Don't forget--91 has a 7 inch rim so they may be even worse than my experience with the '90 and the 6" rim.

[57eldoking]

I had 235/75s on my 82, both rode and looked great with no rubbing issues.

[cadman56]

The Hankook 724 in a white sidewall is in the correct size of 225-75R15 is still available, my tire store advises at $80 each.  I will be putting them on my rebuilt 91 Brougham.  Larry

[Scot Minesinger]

Unfortunately it seems that the width of a tire has nothing to do with the specified width- I know.

My 235 Goodyear tires were a full inch and a half wider than the 235 Firestone 380 tires.  The Firestones looked like bicycle tires in comparison, and it was very disappointing. 

The look of the tires is primarily from a side view of car and the 235/75 R15 or 225/75 R15 should look the same.  I think wider tires look better and always go to them over a narrower tire on the 15" rims.  The difference between a 235 and 225 is 10 mm, which is about 3/8 of an inch centered so 3/16" into fender and 3/16" out.  I doubt 3/16' makes a difference. 

When Walter bought his tires that might have been when they were making them wider, I don't know.  Never heard of 235 tires rubbing on car.  My 1995 Fleetwood called for 70 series tires, which at the time in 1997 thru 2005 were $100 more each than 75 series and I could not notice the difference and installed the 75 series tires.

I think you will be fine with your tires and no one will ever notice that they should be 225mm instead. 
l
BTW since 235 tires definitely fit for sure 1965-1976 and (1993-1996RWD) Cadillacs and likely many other years, you should have no trouble selling them on this forum.  However, no one will probably pay full price and then there is shipping to consider too.

Enjoy your Cadillac.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Back when RWD Cadillacs 77-92 were everywhere, I could spot a car with 235s on a mile away.

[Scot Minesinger]

Eric,

How could you tell a 225mm tire from a 235mm?  To me the 235mm up close look better when you can see the width like car parked with wheels turned.

Here is my Caddy with 235mm tires, what gives it away?  It is OK, I'm secure in my opinion of the car.  Just drove it today. 

I'm an engineer so function is often preferred over form.

[beastly beauties]

Hello, and thank you all for your thoughts and opinions. To explain my motive a little further here, I purchased these 235  tires  5+ years ago for my 1971 Eldorado and they haven't seen the road yet, and the Eldorado won't anytime soon. I wanted to make use of them before they reached the end of their shelf life. After I received a few of the responses here on the forum, I went ahead and purchased 4 more 235's with a 1.6" white wall to replace those for the Eldorado. I am hoping the older "new" tires will fit and function on the 1991 Brougham. I purchased the 1991 to do a rehab on it and put it on the market for sale, although I really want to keep it for myself. I want to make it more appealing to a wider consumer base because people tend to use the tire wear as a big deal breaker. When I purchased the Brougham, the owner stated the tires were in "great" condition, but that is his opinion of great. I always buy a car myself without considering the tires an issue, and if they are in good shape, new, and styled to my liking, then that's just a plus and these tires didn't meet my expectations.        Thanks again, David Symonds

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Eric,

How could you tell a 225mm tire from a 235mm?  To me the 235mm up close look better when you can see the width like car parked with wheels turned.

Here is my Caddy with 235mm tires, what gives it away?  It is OK, I'm secure in my opinion of the car.  Just drove it today. 

I'm an engineer so function is often preferred over form.

Scot...mind you I specifically referred to 77-92 RWD Cadillacs with 235s on; 235 is entirely appropriate until 1976 (exc Seville) and Eldorado until '78. I could just as easily spot one of those with something smaller than 235 as well.

How can I immediately spot these departures from spec? Call it a trained eye from a lifetime of being immersed in Cadillacs, day in, day out...I dunno.  I guess it's like how a mother can spot her baby in a room of babies....

EDIT: Assuming all 235/225/215  are 75R 15. Otherwise all bets off.