C1 ('62) Tires

[Lenn #40977]

Not trying to revive the 'ole tire thread, but I'd like some input on narrow whitewall radial tires (P205/75R/15) using stock rims for cruising on my '62...

Walmart (walmart.com) (includes free delivery to local store:
Douglas Xtra-Trac @ 33.83
Uniroyal radial A/S @ $33.87
Goodyear Viva 2 @ $46.64
> Add $49-53 (Per tire for $2.36-$3.36 for tax, $9.76 for mounting and installation, new valve stem, lifetime balancing and rotation, and road hazard.

TireRack (tirerack.com):
Kumho Touring A/A 795 @ $36.00
Yokohama Avid Touring @ $48.00
Pirelli P400 Touring @ $53.00
Dunlop SP 40 A/S @ $52
BF Goodrich Control T/A M65 $54.00
>Add $? for shipping and handling + $69-$137 (Per tire of $10-25 for mounting & balancing, $1-3 for valve stem, ~$6.25 for road hazard

Sears (sears.com) (includes free delivery to local store):
Guardsman Guardsman III @ $32.25
Goodyear Weatherhandler LS @ 64.99
Michelin WeatherWise @ $70.99
>Add $10-20 for tax + ?$ for mounting & balancing, valve stem, road hazard

Coker (coker.com):
Coker Classic Dimension IV @ $77.00
> Add $? for shipping and handling + $86-$131 (Per tire of $10-25 for mounting & balancing, $1.50 for valve stem, $10 for "protection")

Opinions?
Recommendations?

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 ('62) Tires

Lenn
Tires are like color combinations, they are a personal preference thing. I run Goodrich Radial T/A's on my 62 with rally wheels for everyday driving. 215/70/15 up front and 225's in back. I think they gie a softer ride than others. I have Firestone's on original wheels for show.

You can't hardly go wrong with any of the major brands. I would go no bigger than 215 in front, anything wider is hard to steer and likely will rub, depending on the width.
Terry

[Duke W.]

Re: C1 ('62) Tires

Does it makes sense to put $40 tire on a $30,000 vintage Corvette? The trouble with this size group is that they are all low or no speed rating without a nylon cap belt. They are made as cheaply as possible and only meet the absolute minimum DOT standards that haven't changed since the late sixties - just like the disintegrating Explorer tires, but they, admittedly in many cases, didn't even meet the 35 year old minimum DOT performance standards.

Buy what you think is the best quality, regardless of price. Do not buy a non-speed rating tire. Buy at least a S-rated tire and within this group there are a few that are T-rated.

A new set of tires for a C5 is over $1000, so don't grouse if you end up spending $300 mounted and balanced.

Duke

[Lenn #40977]

Re: C1 ('62) Tires

Thanks for the input. I value your opinion. In fact, I have the messages you posted in April printed out as part of my research in choosing tires--well done! Unfortunately, you are right in stating that tires in this size range are "by no stretch of the imagination performance tires." They do leave a lot to be desired. I've read horror stories about tires costing upwards of $200/tire (original style, wide whitewall/bias ply/close to judging standards, yada, yada) that appear to add little to nothing to tire performance. As a matter of fact, I have a set of these on the car and they look wonderful, but are, afterall, biasply 30 year old technology. I will keep them, but I want a "safer" tire that a radial can offer in cruising on today's highways. And, I'm not a lead foot; posted highway speeds are just fine for me. The only T rated tires I could find were blackwall, but I'm after the narrow whitewall (quasi-original) look.

As I mentioned above, tires in this price range seem to not vary little in price when comparing performance to looks. Increased price, in this size range, appears to buy more looks and decrease in performance. The big difference only seems to be in shipping/handling and mounting/balancing costs. In the 205/75/15 size, the narrow whitewall tires all seem to rated at B temperature, A Traction and S Speed rating--not really something you'd really want to be putting on a high performance 'vette, but choice seems limited.

Also, unfortunately, the better performing tires do not seem to be made in the good 'ole USofA and, like your previous threads, I would like to see an American name on the side of the tire (looks over performance, I guess).

Yes, it does not make "sense to put a $40 tire on a $30,000 bintage corvette." And, I'm not grousing about price, but more on choices.

[Duke W.]

Re: C1 ('62) Tires

The 205/75R-15 radial is the closest in terms of overall dimensions and revs per mile to the OE 6.70-15, and the '62 OE 5" wide wheels are too narrow for a 215/70 or 225/70.

I recall from a previous survey that there are probably nearly 50 205/75R-15 makes/models listed at The Tire Rack, which is not the entire population of make/models in this size. The biggest problem is sorting throw the choices.

It's too bad that there is not a more performance oriented tire with a higher speed rating in this size - not that you plan on driving that fast - but just for the safety benefits than come with a nylon cap belted tire with a "H" or above speed rating! They carry an "A" temperature rating and are very unlikely to disintegrate in any type of normal road service, even it you decide to see what your car will do on the top end!

My recommendation would be to go with a brand that was used as OE in the early sixties, which pretty much limits the choice to Firestone or Goodyear. Within these available models select the tire that meets your appearance requirements
including whitewall dimensions.

Once you've made your selection, pay whatever the price is. In normal driving these tires will probably give at least 50K miles of service, so if you just use your car for weekend pleasure driving it will be many years before they wear out.

Keep them inflated at 32 psi cold and they should be okay.

BTW, I don't have any qualms about buying Firestone tires. The recent quality fiasco has undoubtedly been solved at Firestone and also served as a wake-up call to the entire industry to review their quality control procedures and practices.

Duke