Bias Ply tires vs radials on the street?

[Belair62]

I've used Coker and Diamond back....no question the handling and ride are better....bias look much better but they suck to drive with.

[mike32]

BELAIR62, WHATS WITH THE 63 CAMARO?

[Belair62]

Its a joke ! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

[Nova67ss]

Do U guys have an www.adress to Diamon back or Coker tyres???

[Supercar_Kid]

A radial looks about as much like a bias ply as a hubcap looks like a wheel. Sure radials give a better ride, but so would a tube chassis and coil overs. Musclecars were designed to run on bias plys and they work just fine. I've driven thousands of miles on a 35 year old NOS set of Firestone wide ovals and they handle like they should. The fresh American made repros are even better with no worries about cracking, dry rot, etc. For me it comes down to era correct looks, you wouldn't wear bell bottoms with reeboks, then why put radials on your musclecar? Also, you just can't duplicate the squall of an old bias ply gettin' lit up. Bias plys are the ONLY way to fly. I'm sure many will disagree, but just my 2 cents. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

[Jeff Murphy]

Coker Tire

+1 (423) 265-6368 ask for Luis Gutierrez, he handles all the international orders. Good people!


I have to agree with the Kid on the bias plys. Took the COPO to an event this weekend on a 140 mile round trip using highways and two lane country roads. A little wandery at times, but no problems. And they do light up nicely...

[Chevy454]

You guys said it...the bias-plys just look right. And if you want to hook 'em, try about 44psi in the rear...

[whitetop]

One of the well known street rod builders was describing a conversation he had with a client wanting to build a '37 Chevy. The client said he wanted it to ride and have the look of a Mercedes (Mercedes leather on the seats etc). The builder said all he could think of while the client was talking was telling the client "Then buy a new Mercedes. This is a Hot Rod for Christ sakes!!!!"

It's not just the look of musclecars. It's the sounds, the ride quality, or lack thereof that make them special.

Kudos on bias ply's. Radials are bad enough but the asian tires, especially the Nittos, speedos or Dorritos whatever you call them look worse yet.
Dave

[JoeG]

QUOTE:
It's not just the look of musclecars. It's the sounds, the ride quality etc.
Dave

This is true--if you enjoy the feeling of --this is how it was back then ---plys are the way to go. ----If you want the old look with a better ride, then go radials.--I'm partial to plys.----- I just trying to picture radials on a Model T.

[tom406]

I have to admit my desire to "keep it real" with bias ply tires fades away on the post wide whitewall, pre wide oval era of cars. My '63 Galaxie 500XL 406/4sp car, when it sees the road again, will be wearing 17" Torque Thrust II's and a big and bigger set of tires. I was actually looking at Nittos (They make a 275/50/17 that's about a match to a 275/60/15 in overall dimensions), but I'll probably end up with Goodyears, 225/55 and 255/50/17's.

Those blackwall and 1" whitewall 7.75-14's and the like just look spindly and lame on '62-'66 era stuff for the most part (Corvettes with their tiny wheelwells excepted). Low profile tires tend to drive more like bias plys (stiff sidewalls and all) so the experience isn't that different. Other than the fact that I should be able to take offramps 20mph faster [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img].

Bottom line is you buy what you like. If you look at cars at the shows with radials and you just can't get into it, you probably won't learn to. If you can't tell from 20 feet what kind of tires a car has, you don't need to worry about it- just order up some BFG T/A's post haste and start driving.