C2 Radials

[Joel T.]

I know that this topic was posted before, but I can't seem to be able to find it with search.

In any event, I want to put a set of radials on my '63 SWC. Is there a particular size/manufacturer which provides the best overall results??

Thanks!

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: C2 Radials

Lots of discussion the archives, however the highly recommended tire is a Pirelli P4000, 215/70/15

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 Radials

I thought there was some concern about the 215 70 hitting the wheel opening at hard cornering. The 205 75 will fit with no problems.

[Donald M.]

Re: C2 Radials

Bob, I have 205/75s and they work great. Also, the "profile" looks more like the original tires than would a 205/70.

[John H.]

Re: C2 Radials

I used to have Coker 205/75-15 redlines on my '67, but finally gave up trying to balance them and to deal with their out-of-round radial force variation issues even after I was finally able to balance them. I replaced them earlier this year with Diamondback 205/75-15 redlines (Firestone "Supreme Si" tires, which are high-volume passenger car tires, not "reproduction" tires); they balanced without excessive weights, and were well within acceptable radial force variation limits on a Hunter GSP-9700 machine. Nice cruising tires, and although the same overall cross-section as the Cokers, they put almost an inch more tread on the ground, don't have that funny-looking segmented-mold sidewall, and say "Firestone" on them.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Radials

I searched back five years under "tire" "tires" and "radial" and got 96 hits displayed from over 2000.

You should take advantage of this knowledge base.

You can further limit searches by size, brand names, or whatever other keywords you figure will unearth this wealth of information.

There's also a detailed two-part tire article in the Spring and Summer 2003 issues of The Corvette Restorer.

Duke

[Joel T.]

Re: C2 Radials

Yep, figured it out after my post! Thx, J.

[Ron Hambrecht]

Re: C2 Radials

Diamondback classics. whatever you do, don't get Cokers. You can't fit all the weights it takes to balance them.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 Radials

They look great John......sure enjoyed talking to you at Carlisle! I think I need to pull the new coker redlines off the 67 western wheel bolt on repros I have for my 67 and install these.......guess I can eBay them and see what they bring.....3 mounted with two ounces or less and were round......one took 3.5 oz and was out of round slightly so I have bad feelings about all.....Craig

[Mark H.]

Pirelli P4000 WW?

Has anyone had Diamondback turn a set of P4000s into whitewalls for them? How did they come out?

[William B.]

Re: Pirelli P4000 WW? Try Firestone Tires,

I bought a set of firestone witewalls, in the supreme si's. Paid a total of $275 including taxes, very happy with the price and results. The whitewall width and tread design look great on my 66.

[James W.]

Re: C2 Radials

Joel,

I installed a set of Michelin Harmony 205/75-15 blackwall radials on my '64 convertible and they are the best riding tire I have ever owned! I drove the car 1500 miles on the NCRS Road tour to Park City and they performed excellent and as I said are the best riding tire I have ever owned. The most weight that was needed to balance them was 1.5 ounces on one wheel, all the rest took 1.0 ounce or less, this was on a set of repro knock-off wheels. You can buy them from the Tire Rack for $82/each, you won't be disappointed.

Best Regards,

James West

[Craig S.]

Re: Pirelli P4000 WW?

Mark - I had heard Diamondback no longer will vulcanize sidewall stripes on tires you send them....I think they only use the Firestone passenger tires they supply for the process....but I would be intereseted to hear if this is untrue.....Craig

[Mark H.]

Re: Pirelli P4000 WW?

When I checked with them last (about 6 months ago), customers could not send them tires, but they would acquire whatever tires a customer specified and stripe them. As I recall, the P4000s about doubled in price from what Tire Rack is charging. I didn't want to drop the $$ for striped P4000s without seeing what they would look like, and I haven't been able to find any. Also still looking for a pic of a '63 or '64 with hubcaps and P4000 blackwalls - I may go that route (or I may agonize over this long enough that there aren't any left for sale.)

Mark