Redline Radial Tires

[Herb P.]

I need some new redline radial tires for my '67 coupe. Who is a good vendor for such a product? I have Coker Classics on the car now.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

Diamondback Have a set on my 67 and love them

[Michael J.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

I have Diamondbacks on my '67, Michelin X radials they put the side wall onto, very nice tire.

[Leif A.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

x3 for Diamondback. I have their Michelin Defender Redlines 215/70R15. The sidewall is smooth and clean without a lot of lettering and numbers.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

Diamondbacks for me. I wanted to have a tire WITH the lettering and they found a Firestone tire where the lettering was in such a place on the tire that the redline would fit where i wanted it. I specified the location and the size and they did what I wanted. 215-70R15. Great riding tire.
Jeff

[Herb P.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

Thanks everyone. I'll contact Diamondback after Christmas. I like the idea that they use Michelin tires. I use them on my truck exclusively.

[Elliott P.]

1965-66 Corvette Tire Options.pdf

[Duke W.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

I
Michelin XWX vintage black-wall is also an interesting W speed-rated tire for the cognizanti (but pricy).

A better tire at about the same (high) price is the 205/70R15 Avon CR6ZZ. The 215/70 is only 0.l" greater OD at 27.1", but has about one inch greater tread width, and may require shaving the fender lips for adequate clearance. The XWX was the stickiest road tire back in the day, but the reports that I get from the vintage Porsche and Ferrari guys are than they are just so-so.

The TDB does not accept xls or xlsx file types. I'm pretty sure I posted my "gear chart" Excel file here (and I know it's on the CF). What I did was change the file type to doc and posted it in a thread started by me with instructions to change the file type to xls before opening it, and I think that worked. Of course you have to have Excel on your computer for the file to open. The user inputs trans and axle gear ratios, tire revs per mile, and shift points. The spread sheet then lists speed at the shift point and "inter-gear" ratio that is used to compute rev drop on each shift. Output is tabular, but if you're good with Excel you can get it to plot revs vs. speed in all gears.

Duke

[Michael J.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

I have all 205X75X15s on mine. The size is much closer to original and fender problems on a C2 are minimized. Also remember, 50+ year old front springs, especially on big blocks and/or cars with A/C sag quite a bit from the stock configuration. I have had to fix a few front fender cracks over the years, they are expensive.

[Dereck S.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

Two years ago I put Diamondback redline P205/75R15 radials on my 67 BB. Incredible ride and handling with my original shocks and suspension. I believe the tires are Toyo brand. There are no markings on the outside surface. Years ago I used to run KYB gas shocks which provide a far more stiff ride quality. Original oil shocks only provide rebound damping. No compression damping. However, aggressive cornering is somewhat sacrificed. My hot rod days are behind me.

[Elliott P.]

Re: Redline Radial Tires

Duke, the main reason for mentioning the Michelin XWX tire was that it was a C2 period tire, though never delivered new on a C2. It was factory available on several of the C2’s expensive competitive sports-car imports from Europe at that time. And, as you say, it was a formidable tire for the times. So, for the period purists, it could be a tire of interest; however, from an NCRS judging standpoint, I suppose you may as well display the car without tires mounted. One other caution is that the extra section-width and tread-width may be a problem for the stock C2 fender clearance (see spread-sheet).

One caveat though, as best I can determine, the current vintage Michelin XWX tires are NOT produced by Michelin in a Michelin plant. They are licensed to Coker Tires, and likely produced by Specialty Tires of America for Coker. However, they do still advertise the ‘W’ speed rating. Actual rubber compounding??