brucep

I used all stock spec replacement parts. Just wanted to weigh in that things other than not having radial tires could be behind disappointing handling of one of these old cars. And
I don't know, but wonder if the sorts of things I mention replacing would hurt a cars NCRS standing if they were totally shot.

Stewart Allison

I replaced every front end part on a 59 Caddy. The front end was totally new and it just steered all over the place. I ordered a set of radials for the titanic and it all of a sudden drove fantastic. I can't believe to this day I spent all this money on the front end and it was the rag tyres all along ! Stewy

4440stevesvette

Don't you mean---TIRES!!!!

Stewart Allison

Yeah us ignorant Aussies still speak the queens language. No Americana over here ! or should I say Mexicana hehehe. Stewy

66since71

I'd be surprised if you could find a set of newly manufactured bias ply tires for a performance car today. If you could, yes they would Be darty compared to radials, but you'd also find that they are very predictable in cornering, and as a result a lot of fun to drive fast. Racing tires held on to bias ply technology for a decade or two after pass cars had gone radial... In the end, I think the switch was driven as much by "win on sunday sell on monday", as it was technology...

Harry

MikeM

I remember the first time I put radials on one of my cars. It was a '68 Nova BB. I remember the car feeling like it was floating all over the road, like the tires were about half flat. That was 1969.

The next set a couple years later was on another car. They were Michelin X tires. They didn't drive like they were half flat. They drove pretty well compared to the Firestone Deluxe Champions they replaced. Still have them. Still mounted and still appear usable.

It still took some getting used to driving on radial tires after driving on the bias ply tires for a long time. I well remember many drivers complaining back then that they didn't like the "feel" of the radial driving experience and stuck with the bias ply tires until they eventually bought new cars that had them as standard equipment and the owners then got used to driving on them.

Funny how the worm turns.

wow

1snake, I understand your point. My take is that today, in general, a lot of new "younger" Corvette owners having grown up only driving cars with rack and pinion systems and radial tires, these older worm gear systems just don't "feel" right to them, there's a reason why they aren't used in more modern cars. Tires ain't gonna fix that. I'm not saying every Corvette owner should tear their cars apart and install rack and pinion, I'm just saying for me, it was the best change I made, but like everything, it ain't for everybody. I was simply providing my experience as information for emdoller to file away for the future.

emdoller

I swapped out the tires today with firestone f380 205/75-15 and the car drives great!!

Thanks for all the input.

'67 Mann

Please send a photo, as I am considering switching the bias belted
to my steel wheel / hub cap set up if I ever judge the car, and
have my reproduction bolt-on's with the modern radials...

I have been eyeing the Firestone 380's for a while and the Diamond
backs too... Nice part about the 380's is they don't have the modern
ribbing and graphics on the side walls, and the tread pattern is mild
in design.

C2Dan

The only differences are (a) the width of the white walls (about 3/4" for the stock Firestones and about 1" for the Firestones modified by Diamond Back) and (b) several hundred dollars. Of course, if you want redlines or goldlines, you have to shop Diamond Back.

C2Dan

That's great to hear; my car is in the shop now, having a set of Firestone FR380s installed (same size as yours) and the front alignment modified for radials.

emdoller

Please forgive the horrible picture but you'll get the idea. They look good but not as nice as the bias tires - I just like the old tire look but hate the ride.

5thvet

Those tires look great and by the way so does the car!!!

Don

Stewart Allison

That photo reminds me of my wife waiting in bed showing some leg with the covers half on. I think your photo is sexier. Stewy

emdoller

Haha!!! Ok, I'll take a real picture tonight and post.

'67 Mann

Thanks for the photo ! The sidewalls look good and the tire tread
doesn't wrap around to the sidewall like so many tires do these days.
That would really ruin the look.

Looks like I will give up the '66 look' of the bias for the ride and safety
of the Firestone 380's this winter. If I ever show the car at an NCRS
event I will have to run the steel wheels/hub caps and the reproduction
bias belted anyway, so I might as well have the bolt on's with radials
for the driving time... !

Thanks again.

emdoller

Here's the best I can do with my iphone...