Topic: coker firestone f70-14

[67gta289]

I'm planning ahead for tires and am looking at the firestone f70-14 wide ovals, white sidewall from coker.  What penalty, if any, would there be in an MCA concours driven class?  Also if anyone has driven on these how do they compare with a modern radial from a drivability perspective?  Thanks, John

[JimL]

Any bias ply tire will be inferior to the same size radial.  Radial tires last longer, grip better, and are more quiet, than bias ply tires.  BUT, the original bias ply tires on any classic car, IMHO, makes the car.  If your classic car isn't your daily commuter vehicle, or your kid's college car, then bias ply tires will be fine.  I know many folks on this forum drive their Mustangs to shows with bias ply tires and have no issues.  Personally, I like bias ply tires because they give the same feel that the car had when it was new 40 years ago.  Jim

[Bill Cabaniss]

 I am 100% with what jim l says about the bias ply tires. Gta, I have driven bias ply tires in concours driven for many years. They squeel a bit on off ramps. They are a little slippery when wet. They also look great on the show field. They add a distinctive look of originality to a first generation car that came with bias ply tires. I usually get 18 to 20,000 miles out of a set. All of mine came from Coker tire.  Bill.

[C5ZZKGT]

I agree with using the bias-ply tires on our cars, but have a question:
I have a 1965 K code and  they came from the factory (unless specified otherwise by the original buyer) with U S Royal Dual Redline tires in size 695X14, Coker offers the 695X14 Dual Redline in 3 manufacturers:B F Goodrich, U S Royal, and Firestone, I believe, it is a KNOWN FACT that U S Royal was THE ONLY supplier to Ford in 1965-66 for the Dual Reds, the U S Royals that Coker sells ARE NOT correct reproductions-I understand that when Coker got into this that the correct, original molds were not available, I understand that Coker is looking into getting the correct molds or having them made-I think all 3 manufacturers tires are made in CHINA for them, probably by the same outfits, has anyone got anymore info on this??