Red line radial versus bias ply

[grantprix]

I like the BF Goodrich Silvertown Radials, same tire & tread as the T/A with a nice redline look.

Grant

[XXXGoldL34M20]

i have had bias ply tires since 1984 on many of my cars.
nice soft ride and they sound great when you burn out.
they hook good too.
just keep your hand on the wheel when your on the highway as the ridges on the road wants to shift the steering sometimes but no big deal.
IMO nothing looks as nice on a vintage car than original style tires

[camarojoe]

I personally hate radials on old cars. I think the negative comments of bias ply tires must have something to do with the proper alignment and condition of the suspension bushings and hardware, because I always hear horror stories about using them on older cars for street driving. I do it all summer (remember summer?) and haven't really had any problems. Last year I put over 5000 miles on a '32 highboy with skinny bias plys and it always tracked down the road straight as an arrow and smooth as silk.

A few years ago I had G70-14 redline Firestones on a '69 El Camino and experienced a little of the "tracking/wandering" issues mentioned above, but never enough that I'd have swapped to radials. I drove it alot too.

I've actually found that driving in heavy rain at highway speeds to be the only time bias ply tires ever make me a little nervous. The drive home from Columbus last year was in the rain the entire way, and my bias plies did seem to like to hydroplane a bit easier than my buddies' radials...but if you're aware of this and don't drive like an idiot, it's not really a big deal.

[Mr. Chevy]

Radials do ride nice and handle better, but there is nothing like the look of a bias ply tire on these old cars.. I guess you kind of sacrifice the look and style for the ride..

My buddy drove his 66 Chevelle on the Hot Rod Power Tour a couple of years back from Cleveland, Oh. to Kalamazoo, Michigan on bias plys and he said the drive was fine except for driving in the rain like Joe stated above. He said the car got a little "squirrely" on the road and he had to really take it slow...

Rich

[WILMASBOYL78]

We have a mixture of both bias-ply and radials on our cars(not on the same car )...there is no doubt to me that the radials handle better and are safer at highway speeds. That said, I still think the bias-plys are fine for local cruises and shorter trips. It is important that your suspension components be in good shape....any problems will be magnified by the bias-ply tires. We use the BFG Silvertown redline radials, Firestone Indy 500's and the Diamondback Classics redlines..all quality products with no issues at all.

wilma

[YenkoYS-199Stinger]

I am glad someone asked this question as I have been pondering the same. Two of the Corvairs I am presently working on are Aztec Bronze and I have 2 sets of original 14x7 Minilites. I have been thinking that between the Aztec Bronze, the silver Minilites and the Red Lines the cars would look great. Maybe I will put the radials on the one that lara would possibly drive and bias on the one that I would be the only driver on.

Thanks for the insight guys.

[Tarrytown SS427s]

I would never put radials on an old car. I think it ruins the look and besides, I'm in it for an authentic experience. If I want to drive something with perfect handling and road manners I'll drive a newer car. I feel that the old vehicles and suspensions were designed to work best with the bias ply tires because that is all they had back then. I've experienced the tracking a few times, but once you drive on them enough it becomes a sensation you get used to and you expect to feel. I've never had a situation where the control of the car was put in jeopardy. We've been well over 100 with the G70-15 wide ovals in my dad's 68 Z24, and the car took on the road like a champ! I think we have about 13000 miles on the current set and they still look sweet. I just wish the red stripe was a little brighter.

[SmallHurst]

I ran radials on my car for 8 years and put over 20000 miles on the car doing it. I now have the Polyglas on the car and I would not change it for the world!!!! Just like grapping the thin steering wheel, it is an attention getter! Our cars were all developed and designed with Bias ply in mind. I understand that radials might have better road manners, but I will tell you that the Polys today still have to live up to DOT testing that is far beyond you and I normally push out cars. I have a good friend that is putting more Polyglas on his car after he wore out a set driving across the country and visiting several drag strips. He and his family drove there '69 Hurst/Olds from Chicago to the Grand Canyon without so much as a hiccup! Do what you want, but I still believe that the Biasplys will do very well with what you want to do!!!

[1railman]

Radials ruin it for me. I see a car with radials and most times I keep walking. I agree with everything Camaro joe said. I have always run bias on my cars and would not have it any other way.

[67 Nova Boy]

Take a look at this fine looking tire!

G70-14 Firestone Red line



Dave
67 Nova Boy