Red Line Radial Tires
 

I am looking to replace my 10 year old Michelin whitewall radials on my 1966 vert with redlines. The car has knock offs and I want to stay with the standard size. I have reviewed lots of posts on this forum but most are old now. I have talked to Diamondback and they appear to be the only choice. They offer Michelin and BF Goodrich. Too many negative comments about Coker. Do any of the tire manufactures make a redline radial now? Do any offer a thin whitewall like the ones I have? Any help would be appreciated.

Mark

I can't add info, but Diamondback :thumbs: would be my choice. :cheers: Dennis

Michelin Symmetry has a thin whitewall. About 1/4" wide.

Good tires, too.

I'll 2nd MikeM's suggestion on the Michelin Symmetry. Here's a link to that tire with a picture of the narrow white wall in a 215/70R15 size:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....SYMW&tab=Sizes

Good luck!

Jim
In God We Trust!

I've purchased 3 sets of DiamondBacks, including 2 sets of redlines. Very, very happy.

You know they didn't have redlines that year, right? :hide:

They didn't have radials either, but how many do now? I had red lines on my 65 in 1968, and I do now. Now they are red line radials, so I guess I'm a double dummy according to the "what came on them" logic.

Jim, I considered this tire as they are half the money of the Diamonback redlines. They are not offered in 205 75 15. They look just like what I have. BTW, the tires I have a perfect, show no wear, no issues with performance, they are 12 years old. I have been told that 6 to 8 years is the max you should trust a tire. Mine have no dry rot issues but I have decided that I am going to replace them.

I love the redlines and could care less if they were not offered in 1966.

Are there any fitment issues with the 215 70 15 tires? I don't have much room between the tire and the rear fender as it is. How about diameter, will it throw the speedometer off?

Thanks for the replys.

Mark

This is not exactly the size you are asking about, but maybe it will give you an idea. I took off the Michelin 205-70's and put on the Coker 205-75's and they not only filled the wheel well better, but made the speedometer right on with a gps. The Michelin's were off by about 3 mph with the 70's size tire.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2ak08k9.jpg

wow, what an improvemnt.. worth every penny.. :cool:

Very happy with my Diamondback redline radials. They are 205/75s.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/1864/004fg.jpg

MarkC,

At full lock, turning left or right, I will get a tire rub on the bolt head, driver's side, of one of the steering box's bolts. NO issues with the fender lips at all. I just back off the steering wheels a hair when I'm turning in a tight spot.

Tire appears to be 26.5" tall in that size. My speedo may be slightly off, but I don't notice that that much.

Go for 'em!

Jim
In God We Trust!

BB62, are your tires Michelin or BFG. Thanks

Mark

I run Diamond Backs on my 65. They are Firestones 215/75/15. Had a slight rub but on a sharp right turn but a little filing on the bottom valance fixed it. I love them. They run the speedo about 3 to 4 mph slower. Not a big deal for me.


http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...wBBhood001.jpg

Marc

Here is the Michelin Symmetry thin white stripe in 215R70x15 on my '66. Less than 1% smaller diameter than a 205R75 tire; speedo & odo performance not noticably effected. No rubbing experienced, however note that it's a rare 'knock-off delete' midyear.

http://i40.tinypic.com/2ij6dlz.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/125lu6a.jpg

Mark,

They're actually Firestone.

bb62

This brings up what may well be the question of an diot(me). Namely- With original suspension, is it "OK" to run radials? Seems like the answer would be "off course you idiot, they're better technology", but I could envision the idea that what they were designed to use actually does work 'better', with radials only appropriate for cars that have been upgraded to "Steeriods" kits or the like.

Just for the heck of it, while I'm asking total noob questions, what years are the red lines and gold lines actually 'correct' for? I say 'just for the heck of it', as my ride is a '64 coupe in red, and I've already pretty much decided to go with the red lines's just 'cause I think they'll look great with the body color(the car is not going NCRS, but as a driver. It's in Conte's Corvettes right now, with me sitting on the fence over whether it comes home with a tremec 5 speed or not, along with the rest of the maintaineance and other upgrades......).

Thanks for all the help guys(and ladies). Just lurking I've picked up so much here. It's just really awesome to see so much information, most learned at great personal expense I might add, shared so freely, willingly and clearly. You people are what make the car hobby so great. And what you all do in here also goes MILES towards helping the next generation see the old cars(naturally the vettes most in here) as not fragile museum pieces, to simply be admired from afar, but cars they can aspire to own, drive or even race.

This forum isn't just a resource for us current owners, you guys aren't even "just" passing the torch(and SO much info) on to the next generation of early vette owners, you're actually creating them. Thanks so much for all the help, encouragement and inspiration. Youu people are the best, both sides- NCRS'ers as well as resto-moders.....

I have 205/75/15 BF Goodrich,had the same issues as "woodsdesign" but they may be available in a 70 series.
http://s900.photobucket.com/albums/a.../1967Corvette/

Absolutely, radial tires are a wonderfully easy upgrade. The front end alignment uses different specs than a bias ply tire, so get the aligned if it has bias ply tires on it today.

1963 - Blackwall, Whitewall
1964 - Blackwall, Whitewall
1965 - Blackwall, Whitewall, Goldline
1966 - Blackwall, Whitewall, Goldline
1967 - Blackwall, Whitewall, Redline

Jeff

Tons of thanks for the info. I'm addicted to this site now, and you guys and your knowledge are the reason why. I'm(forgive me NCRS Gods....) definitely going with the redlines on my '64 now. After seeing the pics in here of the redline/red body combo- it's as good looking or better than my feeble imagination mustered.

I was semi-planning on getting a different set of wheels than my current knock-offs, but the pictures of them with the redlines on red bodies has me reconsidering THAT now....:crazy: that's a REAL nice looking combo.

I still might get a set of Rallies though. Maybe throw raised white letters(BFG's?) on them. Gives me the choice of changing the whole look of the car in a couple of hours, when-ever the mood strikes me.......

Here's another photo for you. It's not my car, but I bought the wheels and tires off it and put them on my Milano Maroon Coupe.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2w5o7ra.jpg