67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

[Kirk M.]

Just got my reconditioned original rally rims back and they look great. Am about to embark on purchasing tires for the rallys. First and foremost, I drive my vette over a 1200 miles every summer. Sometimes I roar through the mountains of West Virginia/Virginia on two lane roads having the time of my life. Therefore, I think I should keep radials on the car, which is what I have now - redline radials on repro bolt on rims. To make the car more authentic I bought 5 original rallys this summer (all from the same car) and plan to put an appropriate whitewall tire on the car to match its ermine white paint.

My question is this, since the radials don't fit in the spare tire tub (unless I change the bolts - I know) does it make sense to buy 4 radials for driving and 1 bias tire for the tub? The rally rim that was originally in the tub on the other car is almost perfect with stampings and all and I think it would be great to put the correct bias tire on that rim in the tub. How exactly does that score when the car is judged??? In other words, am I better having five matching radials or does having a correct bias tire as a spare gain me a few extra points even if radial are on the car? Thanks.

Kirk

[Terry M.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

In other words, am I better having five matching radials or does having a correct bias tire as a spare gain me a few extra points even if radial are on the car?
Kirk

Kirk,

The answer is .... You are better off with a correct bias tire as the spare for exactly the reason you cite.

I'm sure there will be a discussion of how "correct" correct is, and I don't have the technical knowledge to get into that discussion. I can only tell you the judging theory, and it matters not what year Corvette we are talking about.

[Joel F.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

The spare is judged separately so you'd do better with the bias ply spare.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

I have the same thing on my car, I just hope I never get caught with a flat and have to use the bias tire. I would just put it on to get it on the trailer, Would never drive with a mixed set of tires of radials and bias

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

I have the same thing on my car, I just hope I never get caught with a flat and have to use the bias tire. I would just put it on to get it on the trailer, Would never drive with a mixed set of tires of radials and bias

I certainly agree with that and that is why I have insurance to trailer the car. Right now I drive it without a spare anyway!

Having said all of that, what recommendations would everyone have on purchasing the four whitewall radials and one bias tire? What width should the whitewall be? Thanks.

Kirk

[John H.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

What width should the whitewall be? Thanks.

Kirk

Kirk -

You'll find the answer in the Exterior section of your Judging Guide, under "Tires" - it's 5/8".

[Jeffrey G.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

Kirk,
Since you have two sets of wheels. Why not stick with the bolt-ons and radials for all your driving and keep the ralley's with bias plys for show? Use a smaller size radial spare that will fit the tub and find a non-DOT bias spare for judging. This is how I handle it.
Jeff

[Louis T.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)





Save the wave!

Louis

[Kirk M.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

Kirk,
Since you have two sets of wheels. Why not stick with the bolt-ons and radials for all your driving and keep the ralley's with bias plys for show? Use a smaller size radial spare that will fit the tub and find a non-DOT bias spare for judging. This is how I handle it.
Jeff

I've definitely thought about that. Here's the thing though, based upon the spare tire tub my car came with rallys and hence that is why I have purchased a set of five rims. I would really like to have the car as original as possible BUT still drive it on a regular basis. For general tooling around town to shows, I'm sure the bias tires would be great, but I definitely take at least one or two long trips every summer where I love getting after my car on some great two lane roads. Just a little hesitant to do that with bias tires. Having said that, I could change out to my radial bolt-ons for the longer trips. I just think I would rather put the correct rallys on and leave the car alone - hence the thought about just getting another set of radials, but this time in a 5/8" whitewall. What does everyone else think. Any DRIVERS out there running their cars on bias tires???? Let me know.

Kirk

[Jay G.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

Depends on your age. Well I was apx. 17 back in late 60's and early 70's. The Bias was all we had. So is you driven on 'em before, its like riding a bike. The tries will give a Hunt feel. Meaning you'll feel the road. The car will hunt every nuance the road offers. Plus need to control the driection of the car. My 69 Nova SS 396 has org. 5-spoke SS wheels. Found set of 14 Bias redline on eBay. Got used to the ride cause liked the look. If your Not driving the car that much. Want org. look, try the bias ply.

[Joe L.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

I have the same thing on my car, I just hope I never get caught with a flat and have to use the bias tire. I would just put it on to get it on the trailer, Would never drive with a mixed set of tires of radials and bias

Lyndon-----


There's no real problem with using a bias ply tire as a spare tire on the road with 3 other radial tires. I've done it before and I couldn't tell much difference in the handling of the car. Certainly, there was nothing that would be dangerous about any differences in handling. Of course, I'd never mix the tire types for REGULAR use on the road. But, for use as a spare for very temporary use, I really don't think there's a problem.

For example, when you consider the differences between modern radial tires and the compact spare supplied with most cars and used for TEMPORARY on-road use when necessary, the differences between bias ply tires and radial tires seems trivial.

When I'm talking about temporary use, I'm talking about using the spare bias ply tire to get to where the road tire can be repaired or replaced, not exceeding about 50 miles, or so. I'm not talking about leaving the bias ply spare on the car "until you get around to" having the road tire repaired or replaced.

[John H.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

Save the wave!

Louis

I don't have the detail, but it's the temporary spare from a later Chevy S-10 pickup; it has the same bolt pattern, clears the caliper, is close to the original diameter, and fits in the spare tire tub.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

[Lorne G.]

Re: 67 Driver (Radials) Versus Spare (Bias)

For the last 15 years I have been running redline radials on my 67 with a bias ply redline spare. I only got a flat once driving back from a national event. i drove with one bias ply and three radials for over 150 miles with no problems.
The bias ply spare is from a set of five bias ply tires that i use for shows and judging. I think this is the best of both worlds.

Lorne