What's with Radial TA's?
 

Why do 99% of the musclecars I see that don't run original style bias ply's have BFG Radial T/A's? It seems like a given on every musclecar I see. Did I miss the memo?
eg:

http://www.justinssite.com/images/70GSX%20Front.jpg
http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/libra...age.footer.jpg

Todd

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Nope..they did.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

TA's are overrated! Unless you meant TnA? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

My car drives surprisingly well with bias ply tires. F60's up front and L60's out back.

[image]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSCN3595-2.jpg[/image]

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Its all about availability of sizes. If Goodyear had the sizes and style I would buy them.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Here in Michigan we have the worst roads in the Country. The crowns are horrible. If I drive my cars with the original style tires, it is a scary battle to keep it between the ditchs. The TA's make it a lot more driveable. I think they do wreck the look, but it's worth it to me.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Here's the memo on Radial T/A's: They suck. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

http://www.hotrodhucksters.com/chad/...ADIALS_ART.jpg

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

The radial T/A tire has been in existance since the musclecar era began (since 1970 I think). A good analogy would be if Goodyear still made the Polyglas GT today as a commercially available tire. That is the main reason it is used: an unbroken pedigree of the same model line. It is also a radial and for those of us that drive the cars frequently, they seem to make the cars handle better.

Though I've had them on my car for 21 years (various versions of the T/A that is), I will probably be getting a pair of Mickey Thompson L60x15s soon for the rear to match the NOS F7815s I have in the garage, for the front. I always loved that old vintage "Fat and Skinny" look and I'm looking forward to reliving my youth again by remembering how badly these things actually rode way back when. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...r_beauty2A.jpg

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

About the only thing they do well is.... hold air... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

My Camaro would ride the same with Wide-Treds, tractor tires or TA's........You just look like a bobblehead going down our crappy roads.... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/crazy.gif

Steve

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
My car drives surprisingly well with bias ply tires. F60's up front and L60's out back.

[image]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSCN3595-2.jpg[/image]

[/ QUOTE ] Your car looks really sweet. I have old goodyear polyglass G60's on the front & L60's on the back & i dont really drive on them because i didn't think they repoped the sizes i have.I figured once there gone theres know replacing them.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...ardasarock.jpg
these belted tires felt like rocks with my mostly original suspension https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif








http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...enewBFGrta.jpg
the car does not want to jump into a tree as much with these T/A's.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gifshow and/or go. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

I'm all for running original bias ply's if that's what the car came with when new. Although my 69 Pontiac Laurentian isn't a musclecar, it looks pretty damn good with the G70X15 Wide Oval redlines I put on it.
Teaser shot "sans center caps":
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...edlinerear.jpg
Now to put a 427 between the fender wells... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif
The emblems are already there!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...s/HPIM0334.jpg
Todd

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Jeff,
Thank you for the compliments. This summer I will own my Chevelle for twenty years. I am certainly concerned, when I have to replace my rear tires. I love the look with the two different sizes. I am really surprised that there isn't a company making Polyglas GT L60's. I would think there would be a strong demand for them.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Years ago, my Chevelle also had bias ply Pro-Trac tires with Centerline wheels. This was a popular look in the day. The car looks totally different with the original wheels back on.

[image]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...arShow1988.jpg[/image]

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

BFG Radial T/A'sere cheap in the late 70's-late 80's, and they wore like iron. When the public rediscovered Musclecars around 1983-1985, most Musclecars that were featured in magazines and books were wearing BFG Radial T/A's. There weren't too many alternatives back then for a white-lettered radial tire similar to the old 60's-70's style lettering. Goodyear stopped producing bias-ply small white letters, and went to those giant blocky white outline versions, very popular in the day. Their "high performance" radials were Wingfoots, with a thin white stripe, or those giant blocky white outline (or blackwall) Eagles. Firestone had their S/S Radial white letter tires, but that lettering was HUGE, and detracted from the car in my opinion.

The only alternative was the BFG Radial T/A, and they were very good tires. They rode great, wore like steel, but were slippery in a straight line. I think around 1983 or so, due to public demand, Goodyear began making Eagle ST radials, with small white letters and that "eagle head" logo.

By the way, Coker is now selling the old BFG Radial T/A, and yes, they're still cheap! Time for a resto mod, of a 60's Musclecar, the way it looked in the 80's.....

Would that be a retro-resto-mod? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

http://store.coker.com/catalog/BFGoo...p-1-c-449.html

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Has anybody ever seen T/A Radials in G-60 and L-60 sizes? I have an nos set!! Ive never seen another set like them.

Dunno...?
 

I've always run them over the years,mainly because they looked better then the others.That was important to me.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04974.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04987.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04985.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...n/DSC04980.jpg

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Has anybody ever seen T/A Radials in G-60 and L-60 sizes? I have an nos set!! Ive never seen another set like them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Firestone, BF Goodrich and Goodyear combined don't have as many damn tires as you do....what you got a 50,000 sq.ft warehouse....???


wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

YES SIR! Also have L https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif60 polyglas and Firestones in stock!

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

We are pleased to introduce the one and only Tire King https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif


https://www.yenko.net/attachments/313605-h-top.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Im happy you now understand! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smirk.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

I like them fine for a street radial on a car that gets driven regularly. Have a good look to them compared to many of the cheesy looking, more-generic radials out there, and inexpensive to replace.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

They're the only game in town for inexpensive RWL tires these days. They've got a reasonable sized lettering, and a simple name. No "Super Defender Pro Grand Prix G/T" in billboard letters down the side. I don't mind Cooper Cobras, but given the cobra name, they usually end up looking best on Mustangs of some sort. Goodyear has inexplicably left this market again with the passing of the Eagle GTII's, which really had lettering that was almost too big. Firestone? INDY 500 billboards don't work for most cars.

My wish? I would like to see someone take the old '80s Goodyear Eagle GT molds (square shoulders, blocky tread) and produce some with old small Polyglas/Wide Tread style lettering. Like a no-size Polyglas, just with "Eagle GT" instead of "Polyglas GT". 215/70/14, 215/65/15, 245 or 255/60/15. You could even do the OWL on the reverse side, for all of the guys restoring Monte SS's, Buick GN's, and '80's Vettes and Camaros.

I agree that bias looks best, but there are times when folks would like radials. There should be more options - at least BFG is consistent and there when needed.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

GM-26, your chevelle is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
They're the only game in town for inexpensive RWL tires these days. They've got a reasonable sized lettering, and a simple name. No "Super Defender Pro Grand Prix G/T" in billboard letters down the side. I don't mind Cooper Cobras, but given the cobra name, they usually end up looking best on Mustangs of some sort. Goodyear has inexplicably left this market again with the passing of the Eagle GTII's, which really had lettering that was almost too big. Firestone? INDY 500 billboards don't work for most cars.

My wish? I would like to see someone take the old '80s Goodyear Eagle GT molds (square shoulders, blocky tread) and produce some with old small Polyglas/Wide Tread style lettering. Like a no-size Polyglas, just with "Eagle GT" instead of "Polyglas GT". 215/70/14, 215/65/15, 245 or 255/60/15. You could even do the OWL on the reverse side, for all of the guys restoring Monte SS's, Buick GN's, and '80's Vettes and Camaros.

I agree that bias looks best, but there are times when folks would like radials. There should be more options - at least BFG is consistent and there when needed.

[/ QUOTE ]


Very well said! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1.../newshoes3.jpg

Jegs sells the BFG TA's in the size I wanted, for 15" rims. No other tire store had them in stock, and they all wanted more money. The factory tires wore out fast, due to extensive road testing. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif
When day two really was more like year two of ownership, and it was time to replace the wheels and tires, the TA's were a popular choice. So were Uniroyal Tiger Paws, which were also used by Pontiac on the GTO. Less expensive, but hard to find today, so I went with the TA's.
If you really want to look like back in the day, just buy the cheepest RWL off brand tires you can find. Check out the old photos of barn-finds, and that's what you're likely to find.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...eature0001.jpg

If you were going to street race, you had a set of slicks for that. If you wanted to show off by buring rubber, better to buy the cheep tires. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif JMO

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Has anybody ever seen T/A Radials in G-60 and L-60 sizes? I have an nos set!! Ive never seen another set like them.

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought a set of Cragars with L-60-15 for my 69 Z28, from K&G speed in Havertown, PA. Chris Gaines (sp) set me up in 1976. They were the first design tread.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Here are all of the sizes from Jeg's, most of them for 14" or 15" wheels.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...46885_-1_11287

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Correct me if I am wrong but the first design T/A's were a little more square and the lettering looked more like the other Tires from that era???? I think I remember the old style and they looked good on muscle cars https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

And I would rather have the T/A's then the Daytona radials https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Well, among all of us, I have a probably the best reason to run the tires. Many of you know the "Tirebird" got it's name from BFG, who had the car built as one of 5 race replica's in 1971 for the SCCA TransAm series, to promote the, then new, BFG T/A Radial. BTW, the Hot Rod Magazine Ad(attached) is from 1978.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

I think its all a matter of taste and your goal. If you are into competing in a high level judged event, then you need to get a set of appropriate repops. I have two cars with orig tires, and i don't feel that comfortable driving the darn things, I usually end up with white knuckles and feel every rut in the road. Also being 38 years old and deteriorating adds to a real driving experience.

I drive all my cars and have several sets of TA radials which I interchange. This tire has always performed well and is the accepted standard for the muscle car market. Decent look (yes i agree an original bias ply looks better) great performance, have a size for most applications and reasonably priced...Whats not to like!

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

It would be nice if they dug out the old mold and spun them again...

https://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500...Dave_s_Car.JPG
https://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/radialTA50.jpg

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Correct me if I am wrong but the first design T/A's were a little more square and the lettering looked more like the other Tires from that era???? I think I remember the old style and they looked good on muscle cars https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

And I would rather have the T/A's then the Daytona radials https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]





These T/A's were some of the first tread designs from the mid '70's. The bias ply Goodyear tires look great but these T/A's worked well if you wanted to go around corners.
I think they look good, for radials https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...n/DSCN2849.jpg

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

i remember running mickey thompson L60 14 racing profiles. they had a thin white line ran all the way round the tire up to the lettering then stopped.and the fronts were firestone super sports RWL.does anyone remember these https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif im getting tired of the TAs. would like to get those old tires back https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

I was running T/A 50's on my '70 Z in the late '70's, notice the worn edge on the front tires from hooking it around corners..

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...vin/img156.jpg

I loved this car! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/headbang.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Yup, I noticed that early tread design on the Z in your other post. I was looking/expecting that tread design on the Coker site. I know of a '74 Z that still has those. -Well, in the front. As mentioned, it mainly comes down to the look (clean sidewall) and the size options.

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

I will except a musclecar even with white walls. BUT, nothing looks better to me than a car with the original style skinnies. The cars just look right with these tires.
I installed some original style tires on my Z and absolutely love them. The car sits good and drives great!

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

[ QUOTE ]
It would be nice if they dug out the old mold and spun them again...

https://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500...Dave_s_Car.JPG
https://www.yenko.net/photos/data/500/radialTA50.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]



Hey D.....this thing is sittin up so high....is it 4 wheel drive??? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

1975 Randy. 1975. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: What's with Radial TA's?
 

Cool pictures. I run them on my 67 Camaro. They are inexpensive, look good, and have good ride quality. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

http://people.clemson.edu/~jaander/i...pics%20384.jpg