Redline Radials Recommendations
Now that the regionals are over, it is time to get some good radial tires on my '67. That 200 mile trip on those bias ply things was awful. Anyone have favorites for the redline P205R75-15s? I have heard Diamond Back tires are excellent, but don't know anyone who has tried them vs. others. Thanks for any ideas.
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Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New Mexico -
Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
I have diamond backs on two mid years and they are excellent driving tires. They also look very good. Nice and clean sidewall design. would highly recommend them. Avoid Coker if possible, quality issues with their products. -
Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
I have Diamond Back radials on the '71 Corvette (white stripe), '70 GTO (red stripe), and '68 4-4-2 convertible (also red stripe). I'm completely satisfied with their performance and in doing business with Diamond Back.
Randy C.Comment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
I went with Diamond Backs on my 70 driver. I was going to order a set of their stock advertised redline tires, BFG or Michelins, and then found out that they can apply any exterior treatment, redline, goldline, etc, to just about any new tire. Researched the forum here and found that Duke Williams had written a couple of very good articles in The Restorer on proper sized V speed rated police pursuit tires Spring 2003 & Summer 2003. I'm not sure what's available for your size, I bought a set of Goodyear Eagle RS-A 100V speed rated P225/70R15 tires and had Diamond Back vulcanize a redline sidewall to them. They look GREAT and perform better than they look. THANKS DUKE!!
I love the tires, but had a less than enjoyable experience dealing with Diamond Backs. The salesman I dealt with was condescending and a true order taker.....I had to pull information from him. My tires were to be delivered in 7 to 10 days, but it took over 3 weeks. Their poor customer service soiled an otherwise wonderful purchasing experience.Comment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
Thanks for the feedback, looks like I am going with Diamond Back. I also notice they have redlines for Corvettes with the old "Firestone" logo script, neat.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
Whats the going price on the Diamond Backs?
DOMComment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
You're Welcome. All should realize that Diamondback doesn't actually manufacture tires. They just customize them with sidewall treatments.
The standard tire they use for various sizes is low speed rated. Ask them what they use.
You can still get H and above speed rated tires in 215/70R-15 (C2) and 225/70R-15 (C3), but the choice is very limited. Just check the online vendors for those sizes in H and above speed ratings.
Diamondback can then procure those tires and apply the sidewall treatment of your choice, so you can have both the safety and performance of a high speed rated tire and the cosmetics of your choice.
DukeComment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
Thanks for that tip Duke, good info. Also, wanted to tell you that the judges on Mechanical at the Western Regional last weekend were not impressed by the vacuum advance (the NAPA unit you recommended I install), or with the full time VA routing of the hose from the ported position on my '67 L-71. Then I told them Duke had recommended that to help solve the overheating problem I used to have. They looked a bit startled, then said, fine but just make it correct before you get judged again since the configuration and parts are too far from original. Live and learn about judging
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Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
I don't know if the latest '67 JG says so, but the OE VAC on your L-71 should be a 201 15. If not, a deduction is warranted.
The VAC is worth three points - two for originality and one for condition. If I see a typical B-number replacement VAC I take one point off for "OE replacement".
Keep in mind that real Delco 201 15 VACs have not been available for decades, so the only choice is used if you can find one that works, but a one point deduction for an OE replacement is not a huge hit. I don't think too many judges know that the B22 is closer in spec to the 201 15 than the B20/26 that I recommend.
Routing the VAC signal line into the choke vacuum break is a visually deductible modification and deserves a deduction, but I don't know how much I would take without looking at the judging sheet, but likely not more than a point or two.
In my recommendations to tee the VAC signal line into the choke vacuum break, I have ALWAYS recommended that both original hoses be removed and a foot or so of NEW hose be purchased along with the tee, so you can make a complete new harness. That way the OE hoses can be quickly reinstalled and the engine idle speed adjusted for judging - like before you go to the event or during your judging prep in the morning.
Some have modified their carburetors, which requires plugging one hole with a piece of shot and drilling another hole so the OE carb VAC source is converted to full time in a non-visually deductable way.
If I was judging and someone gave the excuse: "Duke said..." I would reply: "Well I'm Duke, the configuration is not original and deserves a deduction."
Not everything I recommend will pass NCRS judging, and I usually either state so, or state that there will likely be no deduction because the change is not visually or othewise detectible, like the McCagh Special camshaft or internally modifiying a ported vacuum advance carburetor to full time vacuum advance.
DukeComment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
No problem, I should have reconfigured it before judging anyway, it was just running so good (after a 100 mile trip and much stop and go) I didn't think about it. And of course I thought by invoking your name I would get away with it. I was also very busy during pre-judging prep building a cover box for my ballast resistor to hide it, and making a wiring hookup for the unused TI 
. That worked good BTW.
Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
I'm going through the same process for my '65, except that I'm aiming for white or gold lines. Do you have a recommendation as to which Diamond Backs (Firestone, BFG, Michelin, etc.) ? I'm looking mostly for handling and a "correct" appearance. Speed rating is not important, nor is longevity. Thanks!Comment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
In talking with the Diamond Back tech, he recommends the Michelin, says it is the best tire of the three for handling, tread life, and noise/comfort. He said you would have to go over 100 mph for a while before you would have to worry about this tire, not a problem for me either. I got some on order, and I think I will also switch my wheels to vintage Torq Thrust Ds while I am at it. Much nicer than the rally wheels or the bolt-on aluminum, and just keep the rallys and bias plys for judging, if I ever do that again!Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
I thought we were talking about tires here. The DiamondBacks I bought were Michelin with Blue stripes which I mounted on vintage D spokes.Comment
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Re: Redline Radials Recommendations
I have Torque Thrust D's on my red 69 coupe and really like the look. I also have repro redline Firestone Wide Ovals that look good but drive awful. I think I am going the Diamondback route too.Comment
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