tire selection
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Chatham Ontario
tire selection
Just spent some time on tire rack looking for some new tires for my 80. Stock aluminum wheels, 15". They only had about 3 tires to pick from. It seems harder and harder to find tires anymore. I realize that almost everything made these days has 17, 18 and bigger tires, but what are we to do? I just really like the look of those wheels.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
It's simply a fact of life that tire manufacturers aren't catering to the market for cars like ours. It's simply too small a market for them to invest their latest and best tire technology and move sufficient product to justify it. My own opinion is that sizes for our cars will eventually only be serviced by the small niche companies like Diamondback, Coker and a few others.
That being said, there are tires available for our cars and pretty nice ones at that. Just don't expect to always find them in stock or that they will be equal to current 16" and larger tires in performance.
You can find tires available from Cooper, BFG, Goodyear, Firestone, Dunlop, and others. Even Pep Boys carries them (made by Cooper). As I said, the selection isn't as great as with more modern sizes and designs, but there are good choices out there.
That being said, there are tires available for our cars and pretty nice ones at that. Just don't expect to always find them in stock or that they will be equal to current 16" and larger tires in performance.
You can find tires available from Cooper, BFG, Goodyear, Firestone, Dunlop, and others. Even Pep Boys carries them (made by Cooper). As I said, the selection isn't as great as with more modern sizes and designs, but there are good choices out there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Just before Xmas I went to a BFG store in Ontario and got these G-Force T/A in 15". Can't say what they handle like, as the car is away for the winter.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Just spent some time on tire rack looking for some new tires for my 80. Stock aluminum wheels, 15". They only had about 3 tires to pick from. It seems harder and harder to find tires anymore. I realize that almost everything made these days has 17, 18 and bigger tires, but what are we to do? I just really like the look of those wheels.
If you drive hard, get the high speed rated "Police" tires. I think they still have them for the old Crown Vics still out there with 15's.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
I bought a set of 255/60 15's for my 79 from Tire rack. They were Yokahomas. Sounds crazy, but they have a cool tread design a ride and handle real smooth. Of course I put the name on the inside.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
I just put a set of 255/60r15 Goodyear Eagle GT II's on my 71. I have sold these and used these for years. Its a entry level performance tire but way better than anything that was going on in the 70's/80's when these cars were made.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 94
From: I buy all my days at the same place where the girl sells her nights
Just spent some time on tire rack looking for some new tires for my 80. Stock aluminum wheels, 15". They only had about 3 tires to pick from. It seems harder and harder to find tires anymore. I realize that almost everything made these days has 17, 18 and bigger tires, but what are we to do? I just really like the look of those wheels.
http://www.tires-easy.com/start.html
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
They have the raised white letters, and if you keep them inflated to 36psi, they wear like iron- easy 60K miles. I wonder how many more years these 15 inch tire will be available from the major manufacturers.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: Nothern Illinois
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
All of the current major brand 15" tire selections are not what I would call real performers. Either upgrade to 17" rims or go with a tire such as the Avon CR6ZZ which is a soft DOT legal street/race tire. Very good tire, short life, lots of grip. Cobra guys love them.
http://www.rogerkraustires.com/Cobra/
http://www.rogerkraustires.com/Cobra/
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15,118
Likes: 283
From: Salt Lake City Utah
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