Miles71

Cutlass Tires, what’s popular for shows?


My current tires that came with my Car are:

Front Tires: P245/60 R15 100S (1,764 lbs.)
Rear Tires: P275/60 R15 107S (2,149 lbs.)
Spare Tire: P235/60 R14 96S (1,565 lbs.)
BF Goodrich T/A.
Mounted on 1975 SS-III rims

The problem is I just discovered the tires are 15 years old from 1996 and 1997 (three-digit date code era).

So what is popular these day for a casual weekend cruiser and intermittent shows.
Just running a stock 180hp 350/4bl

Vibration: After 1,000 miles of driving over the past 5 months I still have a constant vibration at highway speeds. So far, my suspension updates have only reduce the vibration slightly. My old tires with 5k miles on them may be one of the culprits.

Allan R

Ok, I'm not getting it. Why worry about what other people like at shows unless you're entering it for points??

re: vibration. My car has tires that are over 25 years old and they are like new. The car is always stored inside and the tires haven't deteriorated from UV or IR spectrums. They literally have no cracking anywhere and are likely almost as good as new. I get some vibration on the highway too, it may be tire balance; but I think it may also be a sign of u-joint failure. It has not been changed in 40 years and has 120K on it. Do you get any 'clunking' when the trans goes into R, then D?

Redog

On that combo, RWL, BFG's are the most popular.

I went with Mastercraft Avenger GT's since the BFG's couldn't grip too well at the track

stevengerard

BF goodrich T/As are just about the best all around choice IMO. They have the most tires sizes available and all around comfort, performance. Since you have 15 inch rims those are technically wrong anyway for your car (should be 14x7, so go with what you want

I have just put on 15x7s myself and am using 255/60/15s in back and 245/60/15s in front. Wanted to go with 275s but felt the narrow rim would make the sidewalls look a bit odd. So far I have only put on the rears and the car looks pretty nice - a bit odd with the small 245/60/14s in front but I think it will be good.

brown7373

I'd be real concerned with tires that old, unless you drive limited around town at low speeds. The rubber dries out and separates from the belts, but look brand new. I had one (a 10 year old BFG T/A that looked brand new with less than 5000 miles develop a huge bulge) as it separated, and I almost drove into oncoming traffic. Friend of mine with a 64 1/2 Mustang and old, but looked like new tread drove off the road when his tire suddenly separated and just missed a tree at 40mph. I wouldn't risk it again!

z11375ss

x2 on the tires looking good but not being good. Safety first. My tires are 12 years old but looking good. I am changing them out this month. My other car had tires that were 15 years old. Changed them out last month. Catastrophic tire failure at speed is something to avoid. Oh yeah, I went with the BFGs on both cars, 245/60/15s all the way around. One is a Vette, the other my Cutlass.

Allan R

Well maybe I'll change mine too. Geez, they don't even have 1000 miles on them....I'll start looking around.

Lady72nRob71

You would have to ask yourself a few questions first...
How original is the rest of the car?
How original do you want it to be?
Are you showing for trophies or for fun?
How many miles will you drive each year?
What is your budget?

The BFGs are popular for drivers. They look good and are affordable, so you do not worry about mileage and how long you need to keep them. For points judging they will not earn you more.

The repro vintage tires look great on these cars, even the radials that have the old styling. They are big bucks but can gain you points at shows. If you do not drive much, you should be able to keep them for a long time.
Wide ovals add some WOW to the car's looks!

1971 442 convert

x3 on safety I have the same problem good looking tires but they are over 15 years old and I have heard some horror stories.
I like the BFG's too they perform and look great. The poly glass tires look pretty good too but just talk to some of the owners and the performance is not there for any kind of real driving.
I am switching to 15's (I hope), and may go 245's all the way around or 245's front and 255's rear.

Miles71

Lady72nRob71: You would have to ask yourself a few questions first...
How original is the rest of the car?
M71: The car has 21,000 miles on it. So it is closer to original than most. The existing rims are from 1975 and they are the wrong color, which I will fix the 'color' in the future.

How original do you want it to be?
M71: I want to keep it close to original, but not exact. I still want to have fun with the car. Making the car too original may detract from the Fun and increase the costs.

Are you showing for trophies or for fun?
M71: Both fun and trophies? At least until the fun wears off.
How many miles will you drive each year?
M71: Not sure yet, mostly weekends and a few days a week on good weather. So far, I have been driving 300 miles per month and that may increase during the summer. Looks like 4-5k per year.
What is your budget?
M17: Budget controlled by the Wife. I do have some funds to play with, so I am not going to get Vintage original, or stuff like that for tires.
My AC compressor just seized so, I am expecting a big $$ to fix it correct for 134A (tips welcome).\
Now I discovered my tires with deep tread are 15-16 years old. The tires are also appears to be shedding rubber dust. If I rub tire with my fingers, rubber dust will whip off (brownish red tint mixed with powered rubber).
I also have the Highway Vibration issue. I have already replaced: Front Wheel Bearings, Realigned Front end, rebalanced all 4 tires, Replaced Drive shaft U-joints, Replaces shocks. There is not much left to replace.
As for tires sizes Current:
Front Tires: P245/60 R15 100S
Rear Tires: P275/60 R15 107S
This combination does not look bad. The Rears do look a little strange on a non-442. I may consider a smaller set on the rear.


stevengerard: Do you have any good pictures of your Tire Setup?



Thanks Everyone
Miles

Lady72nRob71

Well, I think you narrowed your choices down to something like the BFG or even the Goodyear Eagles, if they are available (and in your size).
BTW, wheel color still looks good!

Keep in mind that tire belts can give way, just through age. I had the spare of my Caddy come apart last year like a dollar watch. It was 15 years old with about 50 miles on it.
Also, make sure your wheel balancing guy knows how to balance those wheels. If they have the snap on caps, they need to be balanced with a lug-centric method, rather than the typical hub-centric method.

I like taking long road trips so that is why I did not go vintage repro. I will wear them down quicker and I would like to replace them every 6-7 years for safety as I am cruising the highway at 75 mph for extended periods of time.
If I could keep them for 10-15 years or more (as in puttin' around town a few hundred miles a year) I would have gone vintage repro.

oldcutlass

I have BFG's on mine, similar to the sizes on yours except I'm running a 70 series upfront. I've been running BFG for many years, a good all around tire!

stevengerard

here's one, no trim ring in back and no center cap in fornt but it gives you an idea - should look better fully dressed with 15s in front - the 255s are bigger than I thought

1971 442 convert

Thanks Steven I was going to ask the same question.
If you had a side view with the 15's on the front I would really like to see.
The 255's look pretty damn awesome on the back.

Miles71

Here is a better side view.
Front Tires: P245/60 R15 100S Radial T/A
Rear Tires: P275/60 R15 107S Radial T/A
The rear tire sidewalls do look a little big without the white lettering.
The tires black side out, white lettering on the inside.
When I replace them, I'll put the white side out similar to Steven's car.
The rims are not chrome, they are just powder coated silver. I prefer to go with Saturn Gold body color.

The plan is when I get my allowance, Stick with the Radial T/A, and switch to:
Front Tires: P245/60 R15 Radial T/A (same as before)
Rear Tires: P255/60 R15 Radial T/A (smaller than my 275)
Thanks everyone

ziff396

I am running bfg 255/60/15 in the front and 275/60/15 in the rear. Looks right to me. However, they are NOT good for traction with a 455 from the get go. 1/2-3/4 throttle with no brakes, it just stands and spins them. Wide open in drive, I only make it 10 feet at best and hit 6k on the tach. Only did this a couple of times. But it was fun. ( old memories). Overall for cruising, they are great. I have used them on at least 4 cars now.

Miles71

I finally replaced my 15 year old BFG Radial TA’s with the same brand and size.

This time I put the Block letters outside. I think the tires look much better white side out. The car does ride better at highway speeds.

The elusive vibration problem I was having at 65 MPH is now gone. It’s obvious I had a flat spot on one or more of the old tires. The old tires will be used on a friend’s Monte Carlo at the track.


The tire shop got the front end alignment off a bit. I need to bring the car back and have them set the values to my requested values. The Left Camber is too positive and pulling the car Left. I also think they set the Caster to Zero and I want a +2 / +3.


As for tires sizes Current:
Front Tires: P245/60 R15 100S
Rear Tires: P275/60 R15 107S

chadman

I think your plan for 245/60 front and 255/60 rear T/A's is good. I have 235/60 front and 255/60 rear TA's on my '68 and I think it's perfect.

oldcutlass

Miles, that looks sweet, glad the vibration went away.

Miles71

Painted Rim:

I had the gray/silver paint removed and then Powder Coated the Rim to match the body color.

I think they came out good. The center snap-on caps were painted gray, which has now been polished back to the chrome.
I like the body color much better.

Next phase will be deep trim rings.

Question: What do stock 1971 Chrome Trim inserts look like? My car came with 1975 Rims and hastwo different styles for the 5 chrome inserts. (Sorry I do not have any goodpictures). Ten of the inserts have a smooth flat top surface and the other 10 have an extra bump/ridge on the top. I like the Smooth flat top better.

joe_padavano

These are correct. The ones on the other wheel are from a newer Olds.

Miles71

Joe: You have good Eyes. The PS tire has the flat top Inserts and the DS tire has the humped Inserts. I installed the inserts so that each side would only show 1 style.
So the Humpy are 71 era and the Smooth tops are later.
Thanks.