Replace bias ply tires?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: formerly perryth TX
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Absolutely. When I replaced the bias ply tires on my 62 is was like a driving a completely different car. So much smoother ride and controlled feel. Dont hesitate. I would do it.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: Racine Wisconsin
Wow nice car. My 1970 came with bias tires. The owner's manual advised against the "new radial" tires as a service option. When the tires wore out, I replaced them with another set of bias tires (Uniroyal Tiger Paws). When those wore out in 1973, the tire dealer recommended BFG G60/15. It was night and day difference. I believe the concern of the pointy-headed GM attorneys who helped write the owner's manual was that the bias tires would provide plenty of warning when approaching a skid condition. The radial, may provide better cornering and wear but would provide less warning of an approaching skid. The decision would be yours: originality versus a more responsive driving experience. I'm sure there will be recommendations to get 17" rims and go for the ultimate. Perhaps you could keep your red lines and rallys for shows and vintage events and put on the 17" Kumos, Nittos or F1 Eagles to dust the Mustangs and Porsches.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You certainly don't want to be driving that car on 40 year-old tires. If you have the desire (and the storage room) to keep them for 'special occasions', that's great; but get another set of wheels/tires for normal [and safe] use.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
I have a '66 with a set of reproduction bias ply tires for shows, but when I drive it I put on a set of radials. There is no comparison, and I would go so far as to say that the bias plies are dangerous.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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If you drive it you want radial tires. Check out Diamondback radials. I got redlines for my 68 and gold lines for my 65 from them. Good people to deal with. You can get any tire brand you want and have the redline put on. I have Yokohama 225-70-15 on my 68. Excellent ride and handling and they look great. They are also offering BF Goodrich Comp TA's or Michelins.
Last edited by capevettes; Mar 31, 2010 at 06:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
to clarify, the redlines are not the original 40 year old tires, they are new reproduction redlines bias ply's. 
So if I keep the bias plys on the wheels for "special occasions" where is the best place to buy another set of steel rally wheels?
I guess I can have just one set of rings and center caps, but would need another set of wheels to mount the radials.
So if I keep the bias plys on the wheels for "special occasions" where is the best place to buy another set of steel rally wheels?
I guess I can have just one set of rings and center caps, but would need another set of wheels to mount the radials.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 51
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Your 4-way alignment settings may be different for radials as compared to the Bias plys. Just something else to consider when swapping wheels and tires back and forth. Just my 2 cents..........................
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 43
From: Native Californian CALIFORNIA
Army
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
I drove my 71 w/ bias-ply until recently ... put modern radials on it ... as others said ... BIG difference ... handles/tracks so much better!
If you MUST have redline etc but WANT radials ... as capevettes daid ... check Diamond Back Classic Radials. I don't have their tires but I have seen them around for a few years. They take known conventional new modern radials & vulcanize onto them a redline stripe / wide whitewall / whatever. They were at 2010 run-to-the-sun car show at Myrtle Beach. They do a good job! And No, I don't have a dog in this fight.
*everything on internet's suspect; including the very words I just wrote.
http://www.dbtires.com/
If you MUST have redline etc but WANT radials ... as capevettes daid ... check Diamond Back Classic Radials. I don't have their tires but I have seen them around for a few years. They take known conventional new modern radials & vulcanize onto them a redline stripe / wide whitewall / whatever. They were at 2010 run-to-the-sun car show at Myrtle Beach. They do a good job! And No, I don't have a dog in this fight.
*everything on internet's suspect; including the very words I just wrote.
http://www.dbtires.com/
