OK guys..Wheel/Tire Opinions (Bias ply VS Radials)

[RCE1962]

I bought a 1962 Impala SS with a white exterior in Jan/05.

The car was advertised with photos having 16" custom rims and low profile tires installed. However, the original steel wheels, and spinner hubcaps could come with the car instead, if so desired, plus, the former owner claims that the second set of tires were on these rims.

I told the owner that I would prefer the original stuff. I bit of a "turnabout" of usual stock Vs aftermarket preferences for me.

You know..there was a time when I would not settle for a "stock" look. I always wanted Cragar SS mags for the first 62" I had. Couldn't afford them. I got five spoke Keystones. They were OK too. But.....

Fast forward to today. I'm not a big fan of the low profile stuff, but the car did look pretty good with it on, I must say. However, I'm surprized that I now like the look of the bias ply (white-wall) tires and original hubcaps and spinners. More surprizinly is that my two teenage sons actually prefer the original tires and rims! Go figure.

The second set of tires show that the sidewalls are cracked on these bias ply tires. Some have said ..go radials, others lean towards getting a new set of bias ply (expensive). Personally, I don't like alot of sidewall tire writing and specs, raised lettering and such. Only after a brief search, I don't think that there is a whitewall radial that looks like an older verison of the former bias ply tire. Handling would be better, but this is only a summer weekend driver anyways. Any options out there?

Thanks,


RCE

[fatride]

http://www.coker.com/store/customer/home.php

[bobs409]

I like your way of thinking by going with the original wheels/tires. These big wheels/little tires make me gag. NO offense to anyone here that may like them but they just aren't for me. As for bias vs. radial, I'd say it depends on how much you'll be driving this car and if you plan on entering it in any shows.

There is a HUGE difference in the way a car handles/drives between the two. Night and day. Just my opinion but for a car I'd be driving alot, I'd go radial. For an all out show car, I'd go bias/originals.

If you do both driving and show, maybe a set of each? :D (I love spending other peoples money for them) ;)

[real61ss]

The good thing with the 62's is they originally had a 1" whitewall. You can easly find modern radials with a simaliar whitewall at reasonable prices. My advice is, if you go with the bias ply tires from someone like Coker, get the B.F. Goodrich, Firestone or U.S. Royal tires, don't buy the Coker brand tire. As Bob said, theres a night and day difference in driving the two types of tires. There's also a world of difference between the Coker brand and the other's. Unless you are going the all out show route, I'd go with the radials.
You know, they way these repo bias ply tires drive.........I just don't remember the cars driving that bad back in the sixties, I couldn't imagine driving 120 MPH on a tire that drives like these things that they are repoing now. maybe we were just young and dumb. :dunno

Oh yeah, it's your car but please don't put widewhites on a 62!!!!!! :takethat

[droptop62]

I have reproduction firestone bias ply redlines on my 66 chevelle SS.
My car is frame off restored and the front end had been gone through with new everything. you can't tell the difference between the radials and bis ply on my car.
I have had many different wheel and tire combinations on that car.
If your car is tight and is aligned correctly, bias ply tire will be just fine.
if there is slop and the car needs alignment then bias ply tires could be a nightmare to drive on.
I like the correct look of the original bias ply, and would have a hard time putting radials back on my chevelle.
http://www.348-409.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=639&password=&sort=1&cat=3040&page=1

[bobs409]

I changed from bias to radials on one of my cars back during those bias/radial "transitional years" and there was a big difference. It felt easier to turn the steering wheel, it handled much better, rode better and tire mileage increased dramatically.

No more "flat spots" on the tires either. Some cold days when the car had set a few days or so, you would feel the flat spots while going down the road until they heated up. I never felt that with radials.

[bobs409]

I was just browsing my Classic Industries catalog and see they sell radial red lines and radial wide whites. I guess you can have your cake and eat it too. :D

If I ever go to stock wheels with dog dishy's on my 66 Chevelle, I may consider those red lines. ;)

[droptop62]

Radial Redlines and Radial Wide whites have been around for quite a long time now.
Had the radial redlines, they did not look stock enough or era correct enough for my car. I ditched them to the first sucker that would give me some $$$ for them.
and depending whose radial redlines you buy, certain brands don't balance very well.