VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 6.00 X 16 tyres

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Following all of this is very interesting and informative.

I should stay out of this - - particularly since I don't care about trophys and am not a "purist" (although I don't fall out with either approach).

FWIW, in my ignorant opinion, the single, most dramatic thing one can do to an old car involving safety and drivability is to put radial tires on 'em. Bias ply tires follow every imperfection in the pavement making my driving miserable. Radial tires simply go where they are pointed (by the driver) and make my driving a pleasure.

I have the 600X16 WSW (orig wheels) that were on the '41 when I bought it recently. I wouldn't put 'em back on the car other than to sell it. The '41 is sitting on 4 15" radials and drives much better and safer as a result. Since I drive my ol' cars, I always put radials on 'em. I'll take drivability over looks every time.

Granted, to each his own. No argument with that.

Also, FWIW, (learnbed from a nephew) many of the Corvet guys have had trouble with Coker tires. However, many of 'em like Diamondbacks very well.

As I said, I should have stayed out of this. No offense intended.

I agree. It might be a point deduction to have radial tires but not everyone is into the points game.I think if you are going to drive the restored car at all you need radial tires.I love the Diamondbacks I have.

I've been been driving on bias ply forever...And I have to admit it's a little funky (and scarey) at times...They seem to be too firm/hard for my tastes...

All very interesting. I have read all the posts and went to the club Christmas party with the roadster. Much discussion. Basically all agree that the car is better on radials but some are prepared to live with the shortcomings in the name of originality.The car has a set of wheels of varying colours which doesn't help with the look and it also sits too high. For now all wheels will be painted body colour and fitted with new hubcaps and wheeltrims/beauty rings and the body lowered to a reasonable height. I actually have two sets of crossply/bias tyres which have full tread, though they are most probably 30 years old, so I will leave them on and see what it all looks like. If it looks OK I will most probably fit radial blackwall which I can buy for about $150 ea. Beyond that my choices are blackwall crossply/bias at about $180 ea, same thing in whitewall at $300 ea, Diamondback radial whitewall at $365 ea and Coker Classic Radial at $400 ea. It will all happen. Thank you all for your constructive comments. Much appreciated.