Tires

[Robert G.]

A little advice please. Time for new tires for my '65 convertible. Coker has their American Classic, 1 inch WW, which they sell for $164/each. Then a tire made by Travelstar, 18mm WW (approx .7 inch) for $67/each. (Tires are for a nice driving car not a show car.) Surprisingly low price, so I called and talked to a salesman who told me they are made in Thailand and of course he said they are good. Has anybody tried them? Or should I go with the idea that cheap tires aren't good tires.
Thanks,
Rob Goodrich

[Owen L.]

Re: Tires

With a name like Goodrich... American Classic or Travelstar?

Is 1" ww the standard for '65?

I am in the tire market for my '67; have had white wall Michelins on it but they don't make them any more. In my searches, I think I've narrowed it down to Toyo Extensa A/S or Hankook Optimo H724. Both come in white wall - 5/8" (or maybe it's 3/4") for about $80/tire. The Toyo seems to have a more understated logo impression on the sidewall which I find more appealing. The Toyo also has a better wear rating (620 vs. 500).

[Mike T.]

Re: Tires

Rob - I bought a NOM 65 396 Roadster back in November and the previous owner had just put on new tires. They looked okay but I never heard of the brand before, the name is Sentury and they are 'Chinese'. If you were surprised at the $67 price of the Thai tires, you'd be stunned by the price of the Sentury tires, try $50 even for 205-70x15s. The writeups are mostly complimentary but in the end, I intend on buying a set of Goldlines for the repro KO's I have on the shelf. Now, just have to do a little more research on Kelsey/Coker/Diamondback as to who's tires they are offering.

[John F.]

Re: Tires

Since not an NCRS car and no judging, get a good set of Michelins or your favorite and drive it!

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Tires

My opinion is a set of Goodyears from Walmart Unless you are very different than most of this group, they will dry rot before wearing out. Bought a set for my 60 8 years ago for about 60 bucks each Less than 10 K miles and they are due to be replaced --- probably by Goodyears from Walmart ( or anywhere else) I bought some Diamond Back Redlines for my 67 Firestone cores. Look Great, Again at 10 years they are due to be replaced -- This time by a set of much cheaper Goodyears

[Robert G.]

Re: Tires

Thanks Owen, just a coincidence with the last name

[Robert G.]

Re: Tires

Thanks John, but I like the whitewalls, not too many companies make them. Somebody told me Toyo and Hankook make them. I'll check other brands.

[Robert G.]

Re: Tires

Thanks for the information, I'll check.

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Tires

With your last name you should look into Giidrich tires - Which is owned by Michelin currently and made in Alabama. They should have a WW in 205x75 - 15 available I checked and the Goodyears from Walmart are now up to $ 70 each

[Kent S.]

Re: Tires

There's a wealth of information on the other Forum re: whitewall tires. I believe the consensus is that any whitewall made today will turn brown and be impossible to keep looking white. I wanted the 1" whitewall for my '65 and after much research I settled on the Cokers you mentioned in the first post. Been on since last November and still white as snow. I'n not a big Coker fan, but honestly there are many, many horror stories of the other brands turning brown So far I'm a happy camper. Buy them from Summit (I did) and get free shipping.

[Tim G.]

Re: Tires

SOS pads keep them looking white.

[Robert G.]

Re: Tires

Thanks Kent and All,
I never realized "regular" tire companies still made white walls. Looks like both Toyo and Hankook, $75 range, have excellent options (5/8 inches wide). Which I think look much better than 1 inch. That is if you're not showing the car.
Rob

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Tires

Chinese made tires Even thought the company says they are Japanese USA all the way now days (when possible)

[Kent S.]

Re: Tires

If you have time do a little reading here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ial-tires.html

[Robert G.]

Re: Tires

Thanks even back when Uniroyal was a big time tire company I didn't like them. I Put them in the same category as Firestone.