VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION VCCA Judging Questions Bias Ply tires Or Radial Tires

On my 57 Bel-Air Sport Coupe, I had radial tires on It when I bought the car. In keeping my car as stock as possible, I bought five wide whitewall Bias Ply tires so as not to lose four points each when I have the car judged at a VCCA meet. I hear nothing but bad things from so many people who say the car Is all over the road and hard to keep control of with the Bias Ply tires. I have driven the car a couple thousand miles since I changed tires with NO NO problems And have driven on some bad asphault and concrete roads. Yes I know how good radial tires are, But looking back years ago when Bias Ply was all there was, I never heard like now, So many complaints. Being a person who likes having cars judged at meets, I will be driving on Bias Play tires for ever. Maybe a little crazy,But when It comes to judging, Thats the way It Is.

Don, I agree with you.If the front suspension parts are in good condition and the alignment is correct the bias ply tires steer and handle very well.I believe many are covering up the steering problems of a worn suspension with radial tires.

I also agree. There is.... naturally ....a handling difference between the two types of tires. I used to have Radials on my 63 when it was used as a daily driver back in late 70's. BUT.....that's where the subjects ends, period. It doesn't compromise safety or any close to it. So......don't worry about it. "STOCK RULES"......LOL ! Just don't start peeling rubber with 'em and you'll be fine.

Don and others, Is there a height difference between the 2 types of tires, (bi or radial for '57)?

If there is, do you know the height difference?

Don, what brand did you put on your '57? size?

F78X14 or 750x14? or ??

Which brand or brands was/were original? size?

Thanks

The original correct tire size for a 1957 was 7.50X14 with no optional sizes offered.The size changed to 7.75X14 in 1963.the 7.50 size was discontinued.

When the letter size bias ply tires appeared the size was F78X14.The previous number sizes were discontinued.This was in the late 60's and up till the radials made their appearence in the mid '70's.

The comparable radial size would be P205/75X14.

The 7.50X14 tire was about 27" in diameter.The P205/75 radial is 26" in diameter.As you can see the radial is smaller is diameter (car will sit 1/2" lower).Some use the P215/75X14-a bit wider but is 27" in diameter.

Some also use a 70 series tire which is even smaller diameter.

The ideal size would be a P205/85X14 but they are not made.The 85 was available in some sizes at one time.

The 70/75/85 number in the size refers to the tires ratio of height to width---Most new cars have a 60-65 ratio-some as low as 50-very wide,low tire.

The cars came from the factory in 1957 with Goodrich,General,Firestone and US Royal (Uniroyal) tires.The present Goodrich best equals the original in looks and has the best white wall in terms of getting white and staying white.The Firestone is next best.

Years ago I had bias tires on my 1969 Impala. The car drove fine and it hugged the road as it should. No wondering or etc. However, the ride was a bit "stiff" with the bias tires. Switched to radial tires and there was definitely a noticeable difference and improvement. The car drove even better and the ride was much smoother as well. After having radials on the car I would never go back to bias tires. For a driver, radials are the only way to go. For a show car, bias tires are a must.

One of the disadvantages of having bias tires that I noticed is that I cannot get a lot of mileage out of them on an everyday driver as compared to radials. On the '69 when it had bias tires I was getting between 9,000 and 10,000 miles per set of tires. On the radial tires I now get right around 40,000 miles per set. The other disadvantage that I found is that if the car sits for a period of time and is then driven, the bias tires go "thump thump" down the road until they get warmed up and round out again. :eek: :eek:

From my observations ,comparing the radial with bias,which I use alternatly on both my '50 and and '57.

The radials ride slightly harder.Especailly noticable in the '57 which has a stiffer suspension.The radials thump more on tar lines and certain small things line cracks in the road.The '50 steers harder when standing still or in parking...'57 has P/S.There is an improvement in the "going srtaight down the road" steering on both cars with the radials but the bias tires are very acceptable.No doubt the radials will wear four times as long or more.The car just feels more secure with the radials.
.....agree-bias for show, radials for go.
I doubt that the present bias should be used for long distance high speed driving as they are not meant for that although I have never had a problem in that department.

The Bias Ply tires that I put on the 57, Is BF Goodrich wide whitewalls that I bought form Coker Tire. They are as close as you can get to originals and the whitewalls really look white and clean very easily. I agree that If you drive your car alot as a daily driver, Then Radials are the way to go.

Thanks for the great information guys.

The original wide white in '57 was how wide? 2 1/4"?

Don, which size BFG did you get?

In your opinion guys which one of these would be best for show?

http://www.coker.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=18196&cat=275&page=8

http://www.coker.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=17325&cat=289&page=12


Thanks

I would get the 7.50X14 2 1/4" Goodrich.That was the only size offered in 1957 (tire and white wall)

Hey Gator. As Gene says, B.F. Goodrich Is the tire to buy for your 57 chevy. They are more money then the Firestone tires offered, But at this stage of the game In your restoration, Whats a few bucks more to spend for the best tire for your car. I have found that In the restoration of my 32 coupe and the 57 hardtop, That a few dollars spent here and there, Turns to spending hundred dollar bills like there Is no end to It. The one thing you have to do Is beat the wife to the mail box when the charge card bills arrive each month. Bottom line Is a guy has to do what Is best for his pride and joy.

Thanks Gene and Don. I will get 5 of the 7.50X14 2 1/4" WWW (Goodrich) to be correct, came this far with keeping it original might as well go all the way. I think I will put some pre-'57 pennies (already spent the nickles and dimes etc) under the rear seat too...LOL.

A secret bank account is another way to go Don.

Wonder if she will ever be totally "finished" for me...

Don, I share your wife concerns when it comes to the bill on the car. I have had to break my restoration of my '56 hardtop into, what I call, phases. I am into "Phase 2" of my restoration. I completed the undercarriage, dash/wiring and drivetrain on a Van Nuys Bel Air. She is very solid and rust free. Now I have it torn apart again down to the shell and having it painted and have a CARS INC. interior for Phase II. Phase III will be rechoming the bumpers. I am buffing the stainless myself. However, the charge card does help in getting the job done. My goal is to have it done for the Anniversary Meet. As a member of the National Board, it is hard to get the time to actually work on the car.

Steve, Just use the wages from the board member position to pay for the restoration

I drove many miles on bias-ply tires that probably were not as high quality as the new ones and burned lots of rubber with them, I did think that the oversize ones for the 52 (710x15) rode and drove better, than those supplyed by Chevrolet.IMHO Radials are a definate improvement in ride, performance, and safety and have a much longer effective life. Those that drive many miles like Don (500) a year? and are concerned about "LOOKS" and how the judges will react to radials, should probably have no concerns about buying them old Technology and cheap...Ha! bias plys, just replace them every 10 years when the wide whitewalls turn yellow or brown.


Gene, All these guys (National Board members)have to do is vote themselves a big old 20% raise like the US Congress does! With what they get paid I don't think a 20% raise is excessive do you?

Its OK with me as they are getting 20% of nothing....

The Goodrich white whites on my '57 are at least 17 years old and still bright white.At 20,000 miles they are about 3/4's worn with the spare not being used.....If I drive that car to Colorado next year will be using the radial tire/wheel set up I have.Hoping to take the'50.
The rear tires on the '57 I purchased new were bald at 10,000 miles but that was a stick....and I was 24 years old back then.

How was Pitsburg-hope not the "pits"

It seems like pretty much a never ending 'discussion' about radial vs. bias ply. I can only say I was never so pleased as when I switched to so called wide white (I think they're only about 2 3/8 inches) Coker "Classic" radials. I put them on my 54 hardtop, 10-12 years ago. My 54 is a nice car; one of the early 'preservation' cars. I believe I got the board back in 1985 and many mini's subsequently. Anyway, I put the Coker's on the original five inch wheels. No problems. No wheel cover rotation or worse yet none have gone flying off. Altho it's a consistent 900 + point car, it's not likely to ever be a candidate for 'best of show.' So I guess I don't care about a 'minor' deduction of a few points for the improved ride and handling. And the RIDE, oh baby, the ride is just so great compared to 'herding' it along (especially on the freeway in the 'ruts') with the bias ply polys. As my pal Mr. NIKE would say, "Just do It!" Bill.

I would like to use the radials for some "Sunday driving" so who knows what rims I can get (cheap) that will mount the '57 radials and look good too. Maybe something I can get from the recycler?

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Scott, did you get my email?

The 14" wheels from a 1957 thru 1969 Full size Chevrolet will work fine.The wheels from a 1960-64 wagon would be nice as they are wider.The Chevelles will fit but their off set is different and they will look like they are to far under the car.
If your going to used it just for Sunday drives only stay with the Goodrich bias ply.I have driven my '57 all over the country with bias with no problem.

Gator, I have a set of 14" wheels and wheel covers on a 68 Impala with radial tires I would trade for a set of 15" rallie wheels and a set of good Michelin radials

Gene the Pittsburg tour was a good experiance, we did a goodly amount of driving, Saw some sites, as always the members meeting again and their cars were the main attraction. The touring committee did another excellent job, we had a little cold weather some rain and a nice sunny day for the swap meet and the seminars, unfortunately we had a couple of the regulars that didn't get to finish the tour because of a fall going to a dinner meal. They returned home and the lady is recovering.
Some of the surprises were...well, they were surprising! Eh? Chipper?

I have a set of 14 inch wheels that were on my 68 Impala convertible when I purchased the car in 1990. These were the 'original' wheels. I replaced them with 15 X 7 Chev Rally Wheels shortly after I purchased the car. I subsequently sold the car 10-12 years later.

Incidentally, I ran P235 75R 15 inch Tiger Paws (Suburban 'take - offs') on the Rally Wheels for those 10-12 years without any problems.

I'd like to trade the 14 inch wheels for anything 'interesting.' Or simply sell them outright. Bill in PDX, OR.

How about an original set of split rims off a '55 Chevy 3/4 ton pick-up, 42bill?

About the most exciting rims there are...

42Bill, I believe that those 15 inch rallie wheels and oversize tires on a 68 really change the car's image, for the better. Ours have the 14" wheels and it drives really well but, I think 15" rallies would be a good improvement for the 4 door sport sedan.

Gator, That sounds interesting BUT a guy at the Chev Club meeting tonight told me he just sold a (one) wheel into FLA recently and the shipping was $25!! I guess that pretty much ends 'our' deal. But thanks for the idea. Bill.