C2 tire quality

[Paul D.]

Re: C2 tire quality

I run 215/65x15 Falken ZE512 without rubbing....

[Harry S.]

Re: C2 tire quality

For a driver I would just be concerned about rubbing. Just a reminder, today's bottom of the line tire is better than any US tire put on any 60's Corvette.

[George J.]

Re: C2 tire quality

Pat,
I'm going through that same thought process now. I think I'll be buying some expensive Vrdestiens, Avons, or Michelins. About $2,000 a set. That will be a hard pill to swallow.

George

[Scott G.]

Re: C2 tire quality

I'm also looking to replace the tires on my 1966 due to age. I currently have 205 75s on it. They do rub slightly on the frame. The suspension and wheels are all stock. I am concerned that if I were to go the the 215 70, the rubbing would be worse.

I thought about going with the Goodyears from Walmart but the reviews are pretty poor on that tire. http://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...Number=1418042
I'm not concerned about wet traction and tread life. What concerned me was the tread separation comments. What has been your experience?

Goodyear VIVA at WalMart are $ 75 each

[Michael J.]

Re: C2 tire quality

Avons are excellent tires, maybe much more than you need on a C2 unless you are racing them. My friends use them on their Shelby GT350s for vintage road racing.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 tire quality

All I can ever find is S and T rated tires currently in 215 or (for a 72) 225, at least for a name brand tire.
Belle Tire, for example, shows H rated 215s in the "Headway" or "Zeetex" brand.
Extensive searching shows the brands Federal, Marauder and Milestar brands, but each describes the tires as a truck or SUV tire.


That may be, but what choice is there? And, once the Pirelli tires on your 63 age out what happens then?
Are Chinese origin H-rated tires better than domestic made T rated tires?

Or are we all going to be driving reproduction bias ply tires because that's all that will fit?

Just asking in a mostly rhetorical manner, but it's a question that we will all have to answer.

I feel your pain. It seems most reasonably priced H (or better) tires are off brands that are probably manufactured in Asia. You might want to do more research on who actually manufactures those tires. If they are H or better rated they should have the nylon cap belt and pass the H speed test. I expect they are all better than any US made S or T rated tire, but then there's always a nagging doubt. BTW, there's nothing wrong with running a truck/SUV tire as long as they have an H or better speed rating, but they will likely be an "all-season" tire with a high wear rating, which means a pretty hard compound.

I bought one of the last remaining sets of V-rated 225/70R-15 Firestone PV41 police pursuit tires a couple of years ago. They are stored in a cool dark place and will still be useable in 15 years when they take my driver's license away or bury the box of ashes.

My current recommendation is the Avon CR6ZZ. Yeah, they cost about $1500 a set, but some of our vintage Corvettes are worth more than a new Corvettes, which require a similar priced set of tires every 10-20K miles, which is about what the Avons will last in normal road duty (How many years will that take?) and with a little alignment tuning your vintage Corvette will pull as much or better g than a modern sports car. The Avons also look great with their simple 1950s truck tread pattern that will work just fine in the rain.

Duke

[Michael J.]

Re: C2 tire quality

I bought one of the last remaining sets of V-rated 225/70R-15 Firestone PV41 police pursuit tires a couple of years ago. They are stored in a cool dark place and will still be useable in 15 years when they take my driver's license away or bury the box of ashes.


Duke

I feel the same way about the last set of Pirelli P4000 215/ZR70/15s I bought a few years back as they discontinued them. Great tires.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: C2 tire quality

I drove my 60 coast to coast and to Canada and back on a set of GY 205 75 x 15 Many time the old girl was well in excess of posted limits Don't waste the bucks on overpriced tires. After a couple of years say 8 or so trash them and buy a new set

[Harry L.]

Re: C2 tire quality

What about the Diamond Back tires, they are advertised as a great wearing tire? They have many 205 75 15 varieties.

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 tire quality

What about the Diamond Back tires, they are advertised as a great wearing tire? They have many 205 75 15 varieties.

See post #2

[Harry L.]

Re: C2 tire quality

Hey Leif, do you know anyone who uses them as a driver and likes them. And what is the story about the way they are designed. The one tires claims to be like the Michelin' Defender tire?

[Leif A.]

Re: C2 tire quality

Hey Leif, do you know anyone who uses them as a driver and likes them. And what is the story about the way they are designed. The one tires claims to be like the Michelin' Defender tire?

Those are the ones I'm currently running on my '67...absolutely love them. Had a set of Coker red lines...no comparison IMHO. Pull up their website and you can read up on the construction and company history. I don't know that you will find a better tire...ain't cheap but don't think you can put a price on safety, quality and good looks.

[John H.]

Re: C2 tire quality

What about the Diamond Back tires, they are advertised as a great wearing tire? They have many 205 75 15 varieties.

Harry -

Diamond Back doesn't manufacture tires - they buy blackwall radial tires made in modern tire plants from many brand-name manufacturers, and add whatever sidewall appearance you want, that's vulcanized to the tire.

[Harry L.]

Re: C2 tire quality

Hi John, what tire and size do you run on your midyear? Thanks, Dutch

[Harry L.]

Re: C2 tire quality

Would the whole tire be Vulcanized to produce this result? To vulcanize, the rubber is to chemically improve the properties and hardness,elasticity and strength of the rubber. Or is the process only to the sidewall? Are the Diamond Back tires a tire to stay away from?