1965 Tires

[Len M.]

I am looking to purchase "radial" tires for my 1965 Vette that look fairly authentic. What do you recommend? Thanks, Len

[Duke W.]

Re: 1965 Tires

"Radial tires" and "fairly authentic" are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

What is your objective - minimizing judging deduction, or maximizing performance? Also, there were several different sidewall treatments that were available in '65, so...

The tradeoffs between the above have been discussed extensively, but you need to establish a more specific objective.

Duke

[Len M.]

Re: 1965 Tires

Duke,

I appreciate your reply on the tires. I don't want so called "correct" tire for my 65 because they would be non-radials. I'm willing to take a "hit" come judging time by having radials on my car (for comfort driving). With that said, I'm looking for a radial tire that "looks like an original", if there is such a thing. I currently have Goodyear tires but I don't like the design on the sidewall. One friend recommends BFGs. Also, I'm looking for a tire with the correct whitewall thickness. Does this help explain my situation?

Len

[Jack H.]

Re: 1965 Tires

One 'out' is to look for a radial of service replacement geometry that's made by one of the known original suppliers and BLOW OFF trying to match the white wall geometry. Get a set of solid blackwalls...

[John H.]

Re: 1965 Tires

Len -

There are several current 205/75-15 radials out there made by the original suppliers (Goodyear, Firestone, Uniroyal) that will save you a few judging points over a non-OEM brand, but you'll have to go with whatever whitewall configuration they offer (if whitewalls are a necessity for you).

Diamond Back in South Carolina (www.dbtires.com) will put any size whitewall (or red, gold or blue-line) you want on a modern 205/75-15 radial, but they're not cheap. These and those noted above are all "S"-rated tires (112 mph), as are the B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A's.

About the only true performance 15" radial made any more is the Pirelli Super Touring 4000, in 215/70-15.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1965 Tires

The Z/W rated blackwall Pirelli is the best/safest available tire that will fit original wheels and fenderwells, but since Pirelli was not an original brand on Corvettes you take a full deduction.

There are many S or T-rated 205/75R-15s available from original suppliers in a variety of sidewall styles, so you can go through all the listings at The Tire Rack and other online suppliers, then try to find some representative examples at local tire stores.

Also search the archives as this subject has been discussed extensively.

Duke

[Pat M.]

Re: 1965 Tires

"Radial tires" and "fairly authentic" are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Duke

Duke - now that Len's question has been answered, let me ask a silly question I've always wondered in response to your above quote - why is this so? Why can't someone make a radial that looks like an original non-radial?

[Duke W.]

Re: 1965 Tires

It's usually easy to distinguish a radial tire from a bias ply tire. The way a radial is designed creates the typical "sidewall bulge" when loaded, which is not how a property inflated bias-ply tire deflects when loaded.

Also, because radial sidewalls are more flexible the shoulders are usually noticeably rounded compared to bias ply tires.

Finally there are subtle characteristics in the sidewall that giveaway a "clamshell" mold - typically used for bias tire manufacturing, and the "segmented" mold, which is universal in radial tire manufacturing. Early radials usually had radial "flash lines" at the segment interfaces. Modern radials usually don't, probaby because the mold segments fit tighter.

A radial could be designed with a fairly square shoulder (which might quickly wear to a rounded profile given hard cornerning) but beyond that, the basic loaded deflection characteristics of the two different designs are dead giveaways.



Duke

[Pat M.]

Re: 1965 Tires

Interesting, Duke! Thanks!

[James W.]

Re: 1965 Tires

Len,

If you don't like the Good Years tires there are a few other OEM brands that are available BUT are only S rated. Log on to www.Tires-Easy.com and do a search for the 205/75-15 tire size. You will find that there is one General brand blackwall available, one Firestone white wall available and two Uniroyal white walls available. I have the General blackwalls on my '64 convertible and still receive judging points for having these OEM radials. These are a far cry from the Pirellis but they are an OEM tire and are acceptable for driving long distances... and I don't like white walls on a C2 Corvette.


Regards,

James West