More C2 Tire questions

[Murray S.]

I am planning on replacing my 7.75 x 15 bias ply tires on my 65 Corvette with radials.
I understand that I should use a P205 series radial.
My preference is to use Goodyear tires but they can be difficult to get.
I just spoke with someone at Keysey Tire, but they don't carry radials in that size.
I also just spoke to someone at Universal Tire in Hershey, PA; they have a "American Classic" in the correct size, but am not sure of the width of the whitewall. I would like to stay as close as possible to the width of the whitewall on my bias ply tires.
Some people have suggested that I contact Coker Tire; I am getting bad reports about these tires:
- they are not American made (probably China)
- they are very difficult to balance.

Any recommemdations out there??
Murray Sobol

[Harry S.]

Re: More C2 Tire questions

Just to start you thinking. I believe that any tire made today is better than any bias-ply tire made in the 60's.

I just put a set of Cooper Multi-Mile M&S P20575R15's on my 63. They are fine. Got them at VIP, they usually have a $50.00 coupon if you buy four.

[William D.]

Re: More C2 Tire questions

Another option is Diamondback tires. You can find their contact info on their website.

Bill

[Daniel N.]

Re: More C2 Tire questions

I am planning on replacing my 7.75 x 15 bias ply tires on my 65 Corvette with radials. I understand that I should use a P205 series radial. Any recommemdations out there??

If money is no object, contact Diamond Back. They offer tires from several manufacturers, with the white/red/gold stripes added or modified to be the "correct" width. Their customer service is great, but I ended up not shopping there because of the cost.

If money matters, try the Firestone FR380. I got mine cheap from Sears. The tires are fine, and the handling is hugely improved over the bias-ply tires that I had until last Fall. However, the white walls keep developing light olive splotches. There are several threads on this problem here and on the Corvette Forum, but no one has a permanent solution. (I use fine sandpaper, which works well for a show, but the splotches reappear after a couple of weeks.)

Of course, I assume you know what happens to judging scores if you switch.(As you can tell from the pictures below, that's not an issue for me.)

[Murray S.]

Re: More C2 Tire questions

Can anyone comment on Diamondback Tires??
They can get Firestone and Godyear tires of the correct size (P205/75/R15) for me, and have a process to place the correct width of whitewall on the tire.
I believe the whitewall width should be: 1 inch for a Goodyear or Firestone tire.
Does this process damage the tire; one associate dealer said that the tire name MAY become obliterated in this process.
Any comments from anyone who has purchased tires from Diamondback, or know of anyone who has a set from them??

[Murray S.]

Re: More C2 Tire questions

Daniel:
Thanks for pics, those tires look great!!!
Have you had your car judged and if so, what kind of points deduction (if any) did you get??
I'm guessing your answer may vary, depending on the type of judging meet it was: chapter, regional or national.

[Daniel N.]

Re: More C2 Tire questions

Daniel:
Have you had your car judged and if so, what kind of points deduction (if any) did you get??

I have not had my car judged by NCRS and don't plan to do so. (There would be too many deductions to make it worthwhile.) I entered the car in three WSCC shows last year and got three first places, but that's based on cleanliness rather than correctness.

The NCRS Judging Guide deals with the deductions for tires. Radials carry a 60% deduction if they are an OEM brand, the original size or its radial equivalent (P205/75R15), and the correct whitewall width (approximately 1"). If it's not an OEM brand but everything else applies, it's a 75% deduction. In all other cases, it's a 100% deduction.