Coker and Goodrich Clarification Please

[Mark H.]

Are the Coker and BF Goodrich radial tires basically the same tire with a different brand name affixed?

I'm about to purchase new red line radials for our '66 coupe. The current tires are Diamondback redlines, about a decade old and are Michelin. Like them a lot but Diamondback doesn't offer this brand now in the size I'm seeking (205 75 R15).

I'm aware that the reds aren't original to a '66, but I like the look. Any advice is appreciated.

[Terry D.]

Which BF radials are you talking about? Radial T/A's haven't been made by BF for years, Coker bought the molds and if you get a round one from them it is the exception. If you are talking about other radials, I doubt that the original maker is still making them. Coker buys old molds that the original maker has discarded for newer design.

[Jack M.]

I believe you can configure the DiamondBack Auburn Premium in the size you want: CLICK HERE

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[Keith B.]

I am sure coker fixed their tire problem's from a decade ago but why chance it when DB uses off the shelf brand new tires with a great track record

[Jimmy G.]

Coker radial tires, in my opinion, are crap. I have a set on a 57 Bel Air Conv. Balanced them 5 time and they still bounce down the road. Call Diamondback and see if they can make a set from the tires you want. Several years ago I had a set of redlines made by them where they took Goodrich tires and took all the lettering off of them. DB only way to go.

[Owen L.]

Which BF radials are you talking about? Radial T/A's haven't been made by BF for years, Coker bought the molds and if you get a round one from them it is the exception. If you are talking about other radials, I doubt that the original maker is still making them. Coker buys old molds that the original maker has discarded for newer design.

I must be misunderstanding something here... BFG still makes the Radial T/A. You can buy them through many retailers like Tire Rack, Discount Tire, Amazon, etc.

[James W.]

I am on my second set of Diamond Back Classic Tires gold line radial tires for my '65. The first set from them was actually a Firestone 205/75-15 FR380 which as a great tire. I replaced them due to age. My new set is the Auburn Classic 205/75-15 gold line from Diamond Back Classic Tires. Again a great tire.

Call them, they will help you with ordering what you want.

Diamond Back Classic Tires
4753 SC-90 • Conway, South Carolina • 888. 922. 1642

James

[Duke W.]

Michelin bought the "B F Goodrich" brand about 35 years ago and AFAIK Michelin still owns it.

B F Goodrich T/A tires are what I call "cosmetic performance tires" - cheap materials and construction, rock hard compound and speed rating that lack the safety of a spiral wound nylon cap belt. So if there is an internal structural failure they are likely to disintegrate, which can cause vehicle damage and possible loss of vehicle control leading to a crash.

I will not put anything less than a H-rated tire with a spiral wound nylon cap belt on any car I own.

Duke

[Terry D.]

Call BFG and ask them who makes Radial T/A's. When I was having the same problem as Jimmy I called BFG and was told they no longer make Radial T/A's, they sold the molds to Coker, just wasn't enough demand for them. So I asked the guy if they still sold T/A's and he said yes, but they come from Coker. That's all I know except I threw away my last set of T/A's