Modern radials or reproduction Polyglas bias ply? I guess it depends on whether the car is driven or used for show?

I don't have any experience driving on bias ply tires, and it is getting time for me to make a choice on my car. Thanks for the input.

 

BFG 255/60-15 on stock rims at all four corners

 

Don't use bias ply tires. Radials are better in about every concievable way.

 

Exactly.

Norm

 

When I bought my H/O it had bias ply's on it. Replaced them with BFG radial TA's 235 60 15 on front 275 60 15 on the rear. It really changed the way the car handled and road.

 

As mentioned, it really is a matter of what you want.

I ran Goodyear Wingfoot radials for the first few years after I got my car together and they handled great and looked classy, but there was no mistaking them for original. I had been looking for the original tires and hadn't been able to assemble a full set in decent condition so I didn't have a choice. In 89 I think it was, the repro tires first came out and I bought a set. While they looked great (not quite correct as they didn't have the 1969 model year version available at the time), the handling and traction wasn't even close to the radials.

I've had those tires on my car for almost 20 years now. I replaced one about 2 years ago due to dry rot in the sidewall. I can say that the new tire has much better traction than the initial repros I got (I mounted it on the right rear). It is a noticeable improvement. These days, they use them for some form of stock drag racing and run into the 12s at least, so there is decent traction there. Handling??? Well, they still aren't radials.

 

Cameo,

I used to know a Delta Pilot who kept two set of wheels and tires on his Fazaz [365 if I remeber correctly]. One of show and one for putting it on the trailer to take to a show.

I might also point out he was crazy as a bed bug. He washed is daily driver BEFORE driving into his garage which had a polyurathene covered floor.

True, story I went by his house one day and he was "waxing" his outside a/c unit.

So all ya gotta do is buy another set of 69 H/O wheels and all of your problems will be solved.

In short, I find myself agreeing with Norm

 

Well Jamesbo, if you have a spare set going cheap enough, I guess I could do that. I have seen a few come and go, but even if I could afford them, I don't have a place to keep them. The standard size for a garage in the city here is 20 x 20 feet. You can get a variance and go slightly bigger if it is masonry (25 x 20 feet), but my builder didn't bother. For perspective, my whole lot is only 25 x 125 feet, the standard size for most of Chicago. Makes keeping cars in the city kind of challenging.

 

In my case, I actually do have spares. Still have the radials on the original set, the bias-plys on a second set on the car, and an old pair of M&H slicks on another extra pair. I'm just too lazy to swap them around. The ones not in use are up in the rafters in the garage.

While these rims have never been easy to find, I guess having started 30 years ago made it a bit easier to come up with the extras. I found a full set on a 67 GTO and talked the owner out of them .

 

Here's what mine came with. snow tires

 

james you got some more frame off shots ???

 

Yes, I have a disc full. Jeff was also kind enough to send me a disc of origionals he'd taken pics of over the years.

What specifically are you looking for pics of?

 

69 CUTLASS REAR BUMPER WITH MOUNTING, LICENSE PLATE AND BACK-UP BRACKETS, GOOD CORE,$200.00, pics available
CONTACT BOB
ST. LOUIS, MO.
bestsounds2000@yahoo.com

 

I like to see bare frame shots and plain old any thing h/o is cool. I love those olds shots from olds of the 70 w cars, firewall resto shots motor stuff . Did you do a major build thread ? Thanks

 

No mine was done before this forum began. If you would like, I can cc some discs and send you tons of pics

 

That would be cool .

 

i am running stock rims wil radials i believe... but i am due up for new tires BADLY!!!! what kind is a nice set to get and i am also thinking about getting another set of rims for the car due to the rims being as rare as the car and i need to get them remanufactured/refurbished. so lemme know also what is good and if you guys know a good place to get them done would be sweet as well a nice set of inexpensive rims to get also would be GREAT.


p.s. sorry to add on to this forum thread but it fits

 

It looks like I joined in at the right time!!!

I have the correct F60-15 Polyglas on my car. It makes the car a time machine!!! The thin sport wheel, the rumble of the engine and the throat of the exhaust all makes this my escape machine.

When I was running my car to all of the show, and seeing a lot of highway miles, I had Eagle GT II radials. I then put the Polyglas on and it hooks up on the street and Drag strip a whole lot better than the radials.

If you are interested in the Polyglas, let me know. I can get them for a greatly reduced price.

 

pics of your time machine XD

 

Here are a couple of shots at the track!!

 

another...

 

another...

 

Hi Smallhurst.
I have the incorrect first generation repro polyglas with the tire size in RWL. PM me the price on the correct style without the size in RWL when you get a chance. Thanks.

 

Cameo--

I am sending you a PM.

Everyone else--

If you are interested in a tire quote, please send me a PM with the size and type of tire, number of tires, and a zipcode, and I will be happy to get you a no obligation quote!