Radial look alikes

[Ron Hambrecht]

Now that NCRS judging is completed I am looking for some "white wall look alike" radials for my 63 coupe. Time for some driving without wrestling the steering wheel.

Any suggestions on supplier ?

[Ron Gough]

Re: Radial look alikes

try www.coker.com or www.whitewallsplus.com
Have fun!




www.whitewallsplus.com

[Duke W.]

Re: Radial look alikes

If you go to The Tire Rack web site and search under the 205/75R-15 size, you will find nearly four dozen tires in this size, many with whitewall sidewall styling.

I refer to these low or no speed rating tires without nylon cap belts variously as "cheap, "junk", and other four letter explitives that aren't suitable for a family oriented discussion board.

Of course, they do pass DOT's 35+ year old tire standards, and most of them are as good as the average SUV tire, so they will keep the wheels from being damaged when the car is parked.

Duke

[Eugene B.]

Re: Radial look alikes

Duke,
Do I understand you to say that the 205/75R-15 is the radial replacement for a 7.75-15 that would have been mounted on a 5.5" rim used during the mid-years?

Someday I'll be looking for a substitute for my current 4-ply nylons.

Thanks,
Gene

[Duke W.]

Re: Radial look alikes

Yes a 205/75R-15 is speced at 766 revs per mile, so it is an acceptable replacement for the 6.70-15 (760 revs per mile) and 7.75-15 (775 revs per mile).

A high speed rated 215/70R-15 (775 revs per mile) would be a better choice. The W-rated Pirelli P4000 Super Touring and V-rated Michelin Energy MXV4 are the pick of the litter, but they are only available in blackwall styling.

Duke

[Patrick H.]

Re: Radial look alikes

You could probably have someone like Diamondback Classics make them into whitewalls for you.

Patrick

[don whitehead]

Re: Radial look alikes

hi Duke,
I am replacing my bias ply repros with radials this winter as I am not looking for top flight and just want to drive my car, 1960 270 car.
Any whitewalls would you recommend for general driving with occasional high speed that would be safe but look somewhat correct?
Thanks,
Don

[Duke W.]

Re: Radial look alikes

Your OE 5" wide wheels are too narrow for anything other than a 205/75. There are plenty of whitewalls, but I would not put such a low quality tire on any car I own.

If it were my 270 I would buy a set of repro 6"'67 Rally wheels and mount either the Goodyear or General 227/70 police pursuit tire, both of which are available in a narrow whitewall. A seven inch wheel would be even better for this size, but I can't say for sure what offset seven inch wheel will fit, but I'm sure some solid axle guys are running them.

My '63 OE wheelcovers mount to Rally wheels, and I assume that yours should, too.

Duke