New tires for my 66

[Donald H.]

I'm thinking of getting some new tires for my 66. It has 205/75-15 radials. I believe the tires are at least 7 year old. I've owned the car for a year and a half. Tires have plenty of tread but I've noticed some distortion in the side walls of a couple of the tires (not sure how else to describe it).

I would like to keep the narrow white walls, the current tires are National brand and have 3/4" white walls.

From what I have been able to find out, the options are limited. Not sure I want Cokers due to the negative comments I've found on this and other forums. Not sure I want to spend the money that Diamondback wants, plus they only seem to have a 1" narrow white wall.

Other options I've found are Cooper and Hankook.

Anyone got any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Don

[Don L.]

Re: New tires for my 66

Hi Don. For what it's worth, I thought Diamondback would lay whatever size/color stripe, wherever on the sidewall you wanted it, so that it meets your need/desire. I believe D'back tires have the stripe laid over the sidewall, therefore, it would protrude beyond the sidewall's surface. I've seen but not used Diamondback, I could be all wrong on this - I just thought I had read this here on the TDB.

Hopefully others will post, either confirming or correcting this impression. I hope I'm right because I think the narrower stripe looks good on your year car, especially with the '66 full wheel cover.

[Donald H.]

Re: New tires for my 66

Just found out that Uniroyal also has a 207/75-15 in their Tiger Paw. Saw them on a 63 coupe this morning and they look pretty good.

Don

[Glen C.]

Re: New tires for my 66

I spent a lot of time last summer on the phone with online tire companies, trying to find a narrow (ie 3/8") WW or WS tires for my 66. The Michelin Symmetry had been discontinued, as was a 3/8" white stripe from Vogue. I finally ordered four of the Diamondback P205/75 R15 97S Michelin X radials. At this point I decided to order the 3/8" gold stripe instead of the white stripe. The DB process completely eliminates any of the lettering on the sidewall and the gold stripes are formed and raised on the side wall. For a spare I ordered a Michelin X BSW from Sams Club just to have a compatible spare tire. The spare does fit into the tire compartment with the longest available front support bolts, and I used extra spacer washers to further extend the support bolts. The tires are mounted on a set of original Kelsey knock offs.