Z/28 Goodyear Wide Tread vs Firestone Wide Oval
 

I need to order correct rubber for my stock YH Rally wheels and while I know the factory used E70/15 Goodyear Wide Treads I am told they have a really poor ride. I was also told the factory also used Firestone SC 200's (early) and Firestone Wide Ovals as well (what time period if applicable). Myself, I like the look of the Bias Ply Firestone Wide Ovals or Goodyear Polyglas over that of the Goodyear wide treads and I am wondering if the Firestones are a better ride being that they are a polyglas tire? If applicable. which MFG is correct for a May 69 car from factory or did they use both throughout the year?

Thanks in advance.

The SC 200's i have on my Z are not a good ride at all. I take the Goodyears over the SC 200's. The SC 200's are Nylon Ply where the Goodyear are Polyester and Fiberglass Ply, at least the Polyglas are and Wide Ovals. The Polyglas and Wide Oval's i have on my two Novas are good tires with no issues. On my Z, i have to really hang onto the wheel when driving, wanders around on uneven roads. I talked to someone at a cruise once, he said they would take the SC 200's off and go with the Goodyears back in the day. Wanted to know if i drove my car with those 200's much?? I said with a smile, i sure do, like it or not.

In my opinion I think the Goodyear Wide Treads are correct for your car. From everything I have seen it seems the later build 1969 Z28's had the Firestone Sports Car 200's. I have never known of a 1969 Z28 coming from the factory with Firestone a Wide Ovals. Just my 2 cents. I have Goodyear Wide Treads on my 69 Z28 and drive the car a few hundred miles every year without an issue. If your alignment is set for bias ply tires you should be fine. Can't beat the look of the bias ply tire on an original first gen.

Scott

Good info...I think I was misinformed on Wide Ovals ever coming on a car from the factory and maybe the person who told me that mixed them up instead of saying it was the SC 200's. I'm not a fan of those so I'll hope to hear from a few more with the Wide Tread Goodyears before I go and buy a set.

There is no/early late on Z/28 tires. Most had Goodyears, a few had the Firestone SC200. Far as I know, the only tires used with 15" wheels.

I know of a Yenko built March '69 with the SC200s.

My 69 Z/28 with an August 1969 build date had Firestone SC200 tires installed.

I have Firestone SC 200.

They do not ride any better than the Goodyear Wide Tread GT.

Thanks Lynn...

Knowing what the 2 factory tires ride like and the fact the Goodyear wide treads are $500 more than a full set of the Polyglas GT, I may just order up a round of F70-15 Poly's and be done with it. Wheels are hanging on racks in my paint room and I'm painting them in the morning so I'd like to get these tires ordered.

Appreciate the feedback everyone.

Personally i like the firestone SC tires....have them on my late build Z

seems everyone has the goodyears, the firestones just add a little different look....they are more expensive....

My car rides like crap with the SC200's. The car wanders badly. I will go back to the Goodyears when funds allow.
Buddy

My experience is the repo Wide Tread Gt's ride fine. Put Polyglas on and I will beat you with a stick.:grin::CharleySucks:

My late 11 A Z 28 came with the fire stone 200 and the original owner said that they were terrible I have the Goodyear tires on there now I have 1 brand new still in the wrapper repo E70 Goodyear tire if any of you need one

I almost went with the wide treads...but ended up ordering Wide Ovals.

:worship:

https://image.ibb.co/dStN6G/Charlies_Stick.jpg

Isn't this a day 2 car? I remember early 70's EVERYONE put on polyglas in one size larger, i.e. F 70 15. Just sayin. Doesn't mean you can't still beat him.

lol...Lynn :Charley:

Truth be told these will likely sit off to the side with a host of other parts until called for. I am finishing the car off in Day II and it will run with Cragar's for the foreseeable future, but wanted factory wheels & suitable tires here in case I put the car back to stock trim someday?

There's a lot of things scheduled for storage at this point. :scholar:

If that is the goal, then Charley is correct; you only have two choices. I have SC 200's on mine (actually not ON it right now, as I have Centerlines and modern radials for cruising around, which we did today). Eddie prefers the look of the Firestones, I prefer the look of the Goodyears.

Ping me when you have a moment. I want to help you get the right rubber!!!

816-654-3400

Rusty

Just a thought, but having recently replaced a set of tires due to age cracking, with only a few thousand kms on them, I'd strongly recommend waiting until (if!) you decide to go back to Day 1 before buying a set of new stock tires. That way you'd be driving the car on brand new rubber, and won't have incurred the expense if you don't decide to go back.

As much as I like the look of the WT and SC200 tires I'm staying radials
Small Hurst are they making the radial look alikes in this size?

As for the Goodyears... there are no plans for radials...
Trying to put some things in motion while at SEMA this year.

Stay tuned!!