Tire advice -- ok to drive on bias plys?

[Tom M.]

Re: Tire advice -- ok to drive on bias plys?

My unrestored '69 made TF at the '97 national meet with 215/70/15 radials. The judging sheet had -16 "standard deduct radials". Maybe scoring has changed since then.
My only experience with Bias tires was having them on my '72 Toyota Landcruiser back in the 70's. That thing chased grooves in the road and felt like it was changing lanes. Every cold morning they thumped down the road until warm. I was constantly on high alert because it was so squirrly. Later with radials that rig became my commuter and it was easy to drive. There is no way I would have survived that commute on the narrow, crappy parkways of Long Island during the go-go 80's if it was on bias tires.
If you are trailering from show to show bias tires are fine. If you plan to drive for fun I would strongly consider radials for their lower noise, straight tracking on sketchy roads, better wet traction.

[Terry M.]

Re: Tire advice -- ok to drive on bias plys?

Thanks very much to everyone for the replies. I've decided to purchase some reproduction bias ply tires and try them out. I'll use them for judging, and if I don't like the way they drive, I can always buy a second set of radial tires later.

So now, a new question... which reproduction tires will judge the best? I have heard that the Goodyears offered by Kelsey are better than the Firestones offered by Coker. Is this true? If so, why?

Also, I heard someone say that one of these companies will make the tires "more correct" by special request. I believe it had something to do with using a date stamp that was shorter in length like it would have been originally. Anyone know anything about that?

Thanks all,
Paul

Joe L gave you the accurate answer as to judging between Coker Firestone and Kelsey Goodyear tires. Kelsey will judge the best because they are the most accurate reproduction, but there still is a minor deduction for a current date code.

I am not aware of any company producing a 51 year old dated tire. If that is being done I would expect it to be on the down low since it probably violates some law.

[Tim G.]

Re: Tire advice -- ok to drive on bias plys?

I run Coker Bias Ply tires on my C2's and they perform fine for the type of driving I do. I show them with the same tires and take a small deduct. I drive each car about 500 miles per year, total 1,500 miles between the three '67's.