VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Tires for my 41

I bought an old frame a couple years ago with a set of new Commander tires on it. The size is 6.00 by 16 with the whitewalls 3 inches wide. I had a shop test the balance of the tires and one had a flat spot and a couple of cuts in the tread so I discarded it. I thought I would choose one to use as a spare and just buy a new set for my Master Deluxe, Ruby Maroon (dark burgundy, 2 door sedan, when my restoration nears finishing. As the cost of the restoration mounts I am wondering if I should just look for 2 more Commanders and wait awhile on getting new tires? The tires are atleast 25 years old.

Does anyone have two good Commander tires they would sell, or want to buy 2 of mine? I know Commanders are no longer made and that the age of mine is well beyond what is recommended. I do not see any cracking in the tires except for minor checking in the whitewalls

I think my 16” rims are original to the 40’s specifications (probably over 75 years old). They are approximately 5 1/8th inches wide. So does this mean I can choose tires with in that width range? It seems common ranges are 4.00” … 4.50”, 4.50” … 5.00”, 5.00” … 6.00”. If all these ranges fit my rims can I choose from any of the brands Lucas, and Coker sell in a biased tires? Or because of the age of my rims should I just stick to the lower range widths (4.0 … 4.5)?


I see that Coker has several biased tire choices- Firestone, B.F. Goodrich, Coker Classics, are there other manufacturers/suppliers, and what is recommended? I have looked at the Lucas Classic tires but the tires they have Lester, B.F. Goodrich, Firestone are all 750-16 and would seem to be too wide for my 5’ rims?

In 1941 I assume my car came with blackwalls since it was a Master Deluxe? I’m somewhat interested in just putting a blackwalls on it, thinking with all the stainless trim it would look very distinctive and further maintain a degree of originality. Am I kidding myself with what whitewalls would look like?

Summitt is selling Coker tires with free shipping at the same prices as Coker. Should I save shipping by getting theirs?
Please advise me on which brand of tire I should get? B.F. Goodrich, Firestone, or Coker Classic.

Here are my choices from Cooker/Summitt for 6.00 -16 tires on 5’ rims:
Firestone - 3 ¼” whitewall, $197.00, diameter 28.56, tread width 4.63” Blackwall $165
B.F. Goodrich - 3 ½” whitewalls $197.00, diameter 28.36, tread width 4.63” Blackwall $165
Coker Classic - 3” whitewall, $148.00, diameter 28.30, tread width 4.13” Blackwall $136

I could buy a set of 2 year old Coker Classic whitewalls from a local guy for $350. They have around 2500 miles on them but look like about 50% of the wear is gone. Is it typical for these vintage tires to wear so much after this amount of mills? The guy will only sell me the whole set and of course the diameter of my Commanders is greater then the diameter of the Classics.

Lastly, is it okay to mount whitewalls with the blackwall side showing? It seemed to be okay "in the good old days?"

Thanks, Mike

According to the spec. sheet, you would have had 16 x 4.00 rims?
spec. sheet If I am reading it right? Have no idea what that actually measures out to be?

Mike,

I, too, have Commanders. They have been really good tires. I wish they still made them. As you, mine are almost slick. I need a new set also.

I recommend you go with the wheels you have and get the B. F. Goodrich. Firestones seem to be a Frod thing. You know.

You may want to use your old inner-tubes.

As to WW or BW. WW would be a waste on a MD. Actulally, I don't have a recommendation on that issue owing to it being a MD.

Do not buy the used tires from the source you noted. With half the tread gone you are paying too much for a few more miles of use. Go for new.

Do not put the WW on the inside. That looks like crap. Some tires are made in WW on both sides. That looks like double crap. Does too!

Hope this helps you make up your mind. If it doesn't then ask the missus. Then do whatever she says. Look for the silver lining.

Best,
Charlie

I agree with Charlie. Go for new. The last 600 x 16s I bought were from universal. They are black walls, and have done well.
Sid

Per Charlie's advice I asked my wife what she preferred white or black walled tires? She reminded me we already had this discussion and she preferred black walls because our car was not big assed expensive enough. She also said now was not a good time to buy the tires, and I should wait until I was closer to finishing my restoration. END OF DISCUSSION!!

P.S. I still am interested in feedback on my questions.

OK Mike...just what would you do if someone offered you 4 new whitewall Commanders for $50.00????? Let me guess.....Billu38

I would bite the bullet and buy the new Firestone or Goodrich tires.
As far as white walls go, a friend bout a set of white cokers last year and the are starting to turn yellow. The Firestones he had were still a bright white adter 20 years.
As far as wear goes you can expect to get about 20,000 miles from the Goodrich and 30,000 out of the Firestones from my experiance.
It was not unusual to see Master Deluxes with whites when they were new but there is nothing wrong with a nice set of blacks that you don't have to clean.
I would agree to wait until your going to drive the car to get nice fresh tires to start with.

Stock wheel should measure 4" wide, Measure from the inside of the flanges not the outside.

dick

Hi Billu38,

I would be very interested in purchasing them, and be glad to cover the shipping costs. I did put about 200 miles on my Commanders and the ride and handling were good enough for me. I rarely drive over 45 and do not do any expressway driving. Midland is a perfect community for old cars. Only 2 roads in town with the speed limit over 45. We are a community of 40,000.

Let me know,

Thanks, Mike

Hello Mike, I have a 41 SD and recently bought a set of BF Goodrich 6.00 X 16. Nice looking tire and it rides and handles well. If you choose them be sure to check the condition of the WW. I found the WW not perfect. Also it would be a good idea to replace the tubes with new ones. FYI - My dealer told me that BF Goodrich sends their tires to Coker to install or expose the WW.
Does anyone know if putting protective flaps under the tubes is necessary? Thanks.
John

Protective flaps are necessary for split rims and gutter strips for the ends of wire wheel spokes. Otherwise no additional tube protection is needed. Of course you can always add them if you think they are a benefit. Just remember that the more rubber on the wheel the harder for heat to be dissipated.

Note: This is nonsense and you may want to go trim your toenails instead of reading it. Your call.

Mike,

For goodness sakes, I thought you would know that I was just kidding about asking the missus about the tires. Lord have mercy! I couldn't believe ny eyeballs. (Read on)

Most of us right here on good old Chatter know that we do not, not ever ask our missuses about nothing having to do with our old car(s). Especially about whether or not we ought to spring for an option of one sort or another. Tires included.

I have been to many swap meets over the years and have witnessed many a time that the hubby would turn to the missus and discuss whether to buy something or not. If I had a dollar for every time she said "yes" I could buy myself a set of new valve caps. They almost never approve of any purchase even if its for new inner-tubes. They will ask "what's wrong with the old ones? Sometimes that's a hard question to answer.

To the missus buying "stuff" for the car is not the same as buying a new purse (read Coach) or a new pair of shoes. They just don't understand the more important things in the life of an old Chevrolet owner. No sir.

Here's the way to do the tire deal. Go on and buy the Firestones. They cost more and will give 50 percent miles according to Gene. The philosiphy is: "Get what you need and clean up the mess later." ( I plagerized that saying from a novel I just read by Adam Gittlin. Excellent advice.

Whatever you do that ticks the missus off, remember that she will forgive you over time. She won't ever forget it, however. Man up and live with it. Diamonds and roses will help you in your quest for a return to the house, love and affection. Maybe.

For you chatters who live with a missus that enjoyes your hobby, count your lucky stars. Brewster? Are you listening?

Mike, I hope you have learned something here. Most of us already know it but you surprized us (well, me, at least).

Best,

Charlie

BTW: Please do not show these here words of wisdom to the missus. You know: They may have a "grapevine" and I wouldn't want it to get right back here.

Hello Chipper, thanks for the advice. I didn't think they were necessary.
John

Charlie, although I hate to do this but I must agree with your assessment of the Missus and yes they do not for get a thing...30 years ago I bought the 48 with out her knowledge and she has hated it ever since

Hi Charlie....."the missus" here......this is my grapevine. I look at it this way.....he can buy all the car parts he wants.....every car part for Bruce equals a pair of shoes for me! :-)

And Abby. Plus a toy or two.

I just knew that stinkin Bruce wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut. Serves him right.

Charlie

BTW: Abby gets even cuter ever day.

BTW2: "The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved." (Victor Hugo 1802-1885 Le Miserables 1882 Fantine.) From all the attention you and Bruce pay Abby I'm sure she will come to realize and understand this truth more and more as the years go by. She is precious.

Hi Mike. I noticed your post. FWIW, and if you are still interested, and if they are still available, I noticed an ad (Page 6) on the H.A.M.B. for a set of unused, still wrapped 6.00 by 16 Commander tires and tubes for $450 in Kingston, N.Y. Mike Moss

Hi Mike,

Thanks for thinking of me. I have been in contact with the gentleman and have offered him $400 for them and he pay shipping. He declined the offer. The tires are 30 years old, come with tubes, and bought from Coker in 1986. I have been hesitant to purchase them because of their age? What does anyone think? I already have 3 about the same age which have only about 200 miles on them, and would not be driving long distances nor over 50 MPH. The 200 miles on mine were put on by myself so I know they are good tires. I rationalized that buying all 4 would provide me with a good spare and a couple backup tires encase one might not be balancable?

Guess, I need to know what other's advice is to make a good decision. It will not be until spring that I have my car ready to drive. I am finishing a frame off restoration.

Thanks, Mike

I wouldn't waste the time istalling 30 year old tires. First the Commander tires were of questionable quality when new. After 30 years they didn't get any better.
From what I have seen of old tires you can exoect tread to peel off due to cord rot and rubber drying out after that length of time.

30 year old tires are not worth the safety risk even if free.

Like Chipper and Gene I would only use 30 year old tires for a childs swing, definitely unsafe as a car tire.
Tony

They may look good as "roller tires" on a car undergoing restoration but driving on them could be disastrous.

As a lot of things, tires have a "shelf Life." They begine to lose quality from "day one."

Even stored under best conditions they deteriorate. I think my old Commanders have given me excellent service owing to limited exposure to direct sunlight.

I say a set of new looking 600x16s at Hershey but they were made for Sears and I didn't trust them even at $200 for the set.

When I get ready for a set, I will then by new from Coker. Either new Firestones or new BFGs. That 50% more mileage from the Firestons vs BFGs Gene said one could expect is, to me, compellingly impressive.

Charlie