Tire Questions/Opinions

[Keith M.]

Beginning a restoration of my 69 convertible 350/350 manual. Needs new tires and I am wrestling a bit on which way to go. My objective is to be as "authentic" as possible with an eye toward the TIM&JG standards...which I have read as pertains to tires. It is an October production vehicle. I am struggling a bit between a redline option and something in raised white letters. Personally I prefer raised white letters but wondering if the redline options are viewed as more popular or more "authentic/desireable" generally speaking.

Secondly..beyond the above..assuming I go with a raised white letter option...I kind of glean that the Firestone Wide Ovals are a good way to go based on what I have read so far...my next question is...I see they are offered in a radial version and non radial....radial would seem to have all the external appearances same as the non-radial version. So would the radial version give me a better ride...presume it would? But would it cost my any "judging points".

I realize this post is potentially fraught with solicited, subjective, personal opinions..but there it is!. Any input is appreciated.

[Joe L.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Beginning a restoration of my 69 convertible 350/350 manual. Needs new tires and I am wrestling a bit on which way to go. My objective is to be as "authentic" as possible with an eye toward the TIM&JG standards...which I have read as pertains to tires. It is an October production vehicle. I am struggling a bit between a redline option and something in raised white letters. Personally I prefer raised white letters but wondering if the redline options are viewed as more popular or more "authentic/desireable" generally speaking.

Secondly..beyond the above..assuming I go with a raised white letter option...I kind of glean that the Firestone Wide Ovals are a good way to go based on what I have read so far...my next question is...I see they are offered in a radial version and non radial....radial would seem to have all the external appearances same as the non-radial version. So would the radial version give me a better ride...presume it would? But would it cost my any "judging points".

I realize this post is potentially fraught with solicited, subjective, personal opinions..but there it is!. Any input is appreciated.

Keith------


When you say an October production vehicle do you mean October, 1968 or October, 1969. It would have to be October, 1969 if the raised white letter tires are to be considered correct.

The radial redlines will give you a better ride and handling. However, they are easily discernible from the bias ply Speedway Wide Tread that were original so there would be a judging penalty.

[David H.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Beginning a restoration of my 69 convertible 350/350 manual. Needs new tires and I am wrestling a bit on which way to go. My objective is to be as "authentic" as possible with an eye toward the TIM&JG standards...which I have read as pertains to tires.

... So would the radial version give me a better ride....

Keith

You note reading TIM&JG standards. Percentage deductions for Tires, during Flight Judging, are based on Standard Deduction Guideline #3. At the reference link below, scroll down to Section 4 (#3).

In Flight Judging, your car's tires have 30 points assigned for Originality and 30 points for Condition. (4500 Total Points)

http://ncrsnm.com/pdf/NCRS_2010_%20Std%20Ded_Sections3-4.pdf

Your "better ride" presumption for radial tires is correct.

Dave

[Keith M.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Keith------


When you say an October production vehicle do you mean October, 1968 or October, 1969. It would have to be October, 1969 if the raised white letter tires are to be considered correct.

The radial redlines will give you a better ride and handling. However, they are easily discernible from the bias ply Speedway Wide Tread that were original so there would be a judging penalty.

Hi,...yes I should have specified Oct 1969 production. Actually almost my birthday to the day 8 years later. Soo....are ALL radial options discernable from their non-radial equivalent...and therefore cost some judging points?

And thanks to David on that info. I previously was not aware of the Judging Reference Manual so will pick one of those up...currently out of stock pending publication of 9th edition.

[Joe L.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Hi,...yes I should have specified Oct 1969 production. Actually almost my birthday to the day 8 years later. Soo....are ALL radial options discernable from their non-radial equivalent...and therefore cost some judging points?

And thanks to David on that info. I previously was not aware of the Judging Reference Manual so will pick one of those up...currently out of stock pending publication of 9th edition.

Keith------


The difference is EASILY discernible at a glance.

[David H.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

...and therefore cost some judging points?...

Keith

If you intend to drive this car, then radials would be a much better choice. Worth suffering a few points lost.

Dave

[Brian D.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Keep in mind that if you want to attempt a Performance Verification, that cannot be done on steel belted tires.
You'll need bias ply tires for that.
Without a PV attempt, I myself would take the point hit on radials, rather than have a separate judging set and driver set.
For judging authenticity, you also want tires with 9 ribs, not 7.

[Duke W.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Keith------


The difference is EASILY discernible at a glance.

Federal regulations REQUIRE that radial tires be distinguished from bias ply and this is done by having an "R" in the size designation. Common radial replacement sizes are 205/75R15 and 215/70R15. I recently read about a radial tire that is designed to look as close to a bias ply as possible, and the old sixties vintage size designation is even used, however, instead of 6.70-15 the size is 6.70R-15.

But like Joe said, if you know your way around tires it's pretty easy to visually distinguish the two, and if there is any doubt, just look as the size designation.

Duke

[Keith M.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Thanks for all the input. It has helped me formulate my short term and long term game plan. I am figuring this will be a 3-5 year restoration...would do in a year if I had the time and money. That being the case...and though I want to restore to correct as much as possible...I may never have it judged but if I do that is a good 3 years away anyway. Meantime...DOT code on the tires which have been on there since I bought it in '97 indicate production in the 20th week....of 1992!!! So they got lots of meat on them but no thank you for trusting lives on 29 year old rubber. So for now.....I am gonna go with Goodrich Radial T/A's in 215/70 R15...knowing full well I may experience the browning of letters....but getting from a local dealer who I have been to for many many years for many many tires....with exemplary service...so will have them in my corner if I need to battle Goodrich. Worst case scenario....flip em to white side in until they wear out. So that gives me a set of 4 for $600 with current rebate....as opposed to over $1500 for 5 correct tires...cuz would need to get the spare...for a true restoration but a non issue with the radials. So that gives me rubber to wear out til the restore is done (are they ever?)...at which point I can pony up for correct tires. Not sure I would ever make the investment to have a judging set and a driving set though. Leaning toward either wide oval raised letters or redline...but I got time to figure that out. Thanks again to all!!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Is this going to be a rolling restoration? Or off the road until done?
If you intend to use the car as you restore, then you may as well do the tires now.
If not driving it, I’d use the old tires to keep it off the ground until ready to drive.

[Keith M.]

Re: Tire Questions/Opinions

Hi,
Rolling restoration. It's such a mutt that there is no reason not to enjoy it and use as a driver whilst I bring it back to some level of originality. likely never be just a show pony. Thus the strategy of replacing the rubber now...with something more economical...no sense putting all the miles and wear on the correct tires which would be almost triple the price. Pay for the fancy lipstick down the road as/when/if I want to really put her on a pedestal. planning to deal with all/most of the mechanical issues first...then potentially do frame off...to do the body paint and frame cleanup/paint...want to bring it back to it's original Cortez Silver from its current "everybody has it ..flashy and sexy but run of the mill ....painted red corvette"...pretty...but yuck if you follow.