Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

[Jim M.]

Just purchased a used set of 67 Bolt Ons and not sure what the best looking Radial Red Line tire would be and keeping consistent with its original OEM look.

I've been looking at the BFG 215/70R/15 or the BFG 205/75R/15.
Someone else told me the Michelin appears to look closer to the OEM than BFG.

It's pretty hard to picture unless the tires are on the wheels and the car.

Any recommendations/suggestions/pictures would be great.

Thanks

[Kevin N.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

hi jim...i have had the bfg 215x70 redlines (pic 1&2) and i thought they looked too big. side walls didn't look right either.(i like the stock skinny look) i now have an odd brand 205x75 blackwall (pic 3) and like them better. i once tried the coker brand redlines and...well lets say i sold them real quick. here's pics of the bfg 215 redline and the 205 blackwall i now run. i did run the bias ply redline when i had it judged,(pic 4) but as you probably know it drove real bad compared to the radials. it sure did look great though. my 67 is for sale and will be in the next driveline issue. good luck with your decision. i know. i'm sorry. mine are ralleys and not b.o.'s.

[Jim M.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

Just purchased a used set of 67 Bolt Ons and not sure what the best looking Radial Red Line tire would be and keeping consistent with its original OEM look.

I've been looking at the BFG 215/70R/15 or the BFG 205/75R/15.
Someone else told me the Michelin appears to look closer to the OEM than BFG.

It's pretty hard to picture unless the tires are on the wheels and the car.

Any recommendations/suggestions/pictures would be great.

Thanks

Thanks Kevin, you're right the BFGs do look a little big. Someone told me to look at the Michelin also as they look closer to the real thing.

BTW...your car looks real nice..

Good luck

[Paul D.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

You may want to check out Diamond Back Classics at www.dbtires.com.
They offer the Michelin X tires in sizes that suit the C2 and C3 cars. You will not mistake them for bias ply, but the squared off shoulders look closer to "right". I have never used them, but have talked to some that have and heard great reviews. Chip.

[Larry S.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

I agree with the Diamondback recommendation, either their Michelins or Firestones. If you're concerned about them looking 'too big' just go with the 205 size. Be aware that the red stripes are not indented as original but are galvanized on (radial sidewalls are too thin to indent them).

[Michael M.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

Paul

Thanks for the tip for the Black Diamond tires. I think they would look great on a 67 bolt on. They actually have a picture of the tire mounted on a 67 bolt on wheel. I think I'm going to try a set.

From the comments I see on this forum, I think the Coker radials are out of the picture.
205/75/15 vs the 205/70/15?????????????

[Larry S.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

Paul

Thanks for the tip for the Black Diamond tires. I think they would look great on a 67 bolt on. They actually have a picture of the tire mounted on a 67 bolt on wheel. I think I'm going to try a set.

From the comments I see on this forum, I think the Coker radials are out of the picture.
205/75/15 vs the 205/70/15?????????????

Based on prior poor performance of Coker, I'd nix it. The 'experts' prefer the 75 profile, and I'd go with 215's instead of 205's, but that's just my preference. I prefer a wider look.

[John H.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

I have Diamond Back 205/75-15 Firestone Supreme Si redline radials on my '67 bolt-ons; nice tires, they're round, balanced easily, and the tread surface is about 1" wider than any of the "reproduction" radials out there. The molded Firestone name and logo on the sidewall is located such that it doesn't have to be buffed-off to vulcanize the redline on, so the correct OEM-brand name still shows on the finished tire.

[Larry S.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

I have Diamond Back 205/75-15 Firestone Supreme Si redline radials on my '67 bolt-ons; nice tires, they're round, balanced easily, and the tread surface is about 1" wider than any of the "reproduction" radials out there. The molded Firestone name and logo on the sidewall is located such that it doesn't have to be buffed-off to vulcanize the redline on, so the correct OEM-brand name still shows on the finished tire.

That's what I have, except 215/70. John is dead-on with his response about balancing. Plus, I haven't had a problem with molding residue discoloring the tire. They still look like natural rubber with a distinctive red stripe that doesn't fade.

[Jim M.]

Re: Recommendations for Red Line tires on Bolt Ons

That's what I have, except 215/70. John is dead-on with his response about balancing. Plus, I haven't had a problem with molding residue discoloring the tire. They still look like natural rubber with a distinctive red stripe that doesn't fade.

Thanks for the information. The tire looks real nice on the Bolt On.
It's always nice to be able to see what a tire will look like instead of buying blind.

Thanks to all and have a great weekend.