Diamond Back tires

billfish

billfish

Senior Member
I'm looking to switch from bias to radial tires on my 51 stock ford Victoria. the tires on the car now are G 78/15 bias which convert to a 215/75 R15 in a radial. This is one size bigger than the cars original size 6.70 /15 or 205/75 R15 but the G 78/15 bias seem to fit fine.
Diamond back has there model D-2 rated at 65,000 miles for $234 and a relatively new model D1 rated at 40,000 for $179. The D-1 appears to be replacing there model M-5 as a lower cost alternative.
Estimating my mileage at a couple thousand a year I'm leaning towards the
D-1. My only reservation is this tire has only been available for a year or so. It is not yet listed in there catalog. The D-2 is made in Japan and the D-1 in Korea, if this matters.
If anyone has advice or had experience with Diamond Back or these tires your comments would be appreciated.
Bill
 
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I put DB's on my '49 several years ago. Went with the 205's and I love them. Had the old 6:70 x 15's before.
 
I probably won't be a lot of help, but here goes. 2 years ago, I put a set of diamond back tires on my 67 cutlass. I was concerned about the ' No Name Tires ' that were available in wide white, $1100 installed for 4 !!!! I have owned this car for 28 years and doubt if I put 20,000 miles on the old tires { I put them on in 1991. Total installed out the door for under $200 ! back then! }But this time I wanted wide whites, I know they ain't correct for a safron yellow 1967 convertible, but when someone says "hey! those aren't right," I tell them to put what ever they want, on THEIR cutlass convertible. That usually handles it. I also have had a toyota motorhome since 1999 - 6 tires at 1000 to 1500 miles per year. Industry says after 6 or 7 years you better change to NEW on a motorhome. That's 10,500 miles and done! So I guess the milage warrentee on these two vechicle's won't do me much good. I did feel that The radial diamond back tires should keep me safe for the time period they will be on the car, and ride much better, which they do, { God willing } And not to open another can of worms, but if I really run into trouble with the tires, diamond back should take care of me. This part should work the same for you either way, as the dealer on both tires is Diamond back. That's as much as I know - hope it helps a little.
 
I put a set of "Coker Classics" on my '51 Club Coupe. 225/75-15 on the back, 185/75-15 on the front. I like the look, but I had to clearance the rear fenders slightly to make the 225's fit. They're on now and I think they look great, but if I had to do it over again, I'd go with 215's.
 
A bit off topic, but I just put these on my 56 Fairlane. They are Cooper tires: 205 75 15's with the 3 1/4" white walls added thru a company called Calli Tires in Sacramento.
As to cost they were $649.00 for four. Calli Tires vulcanizes the WW on, the same way DB does.
I think they look great, and at a great saving, as DB were $1000.00 + shipping to CA
Jim
 
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Oops, forgot pics of tires.
I haven't even cleaned the WW's yet
Jim
 

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I have Diamond Back whitewalls on my 49 Nercury. Size 205R75 with 2.5 whitewall. I think they are the perfect size for this car I also have diamond backs on 2 other cars for years and never had one problem. I have coker on one car and had a ton of problems.
 
TJ

Mine are 205 75R 15. My friend & I both bought the same size tires: His are going onto a 52 Merc.

Reason for the size is that both of our cars are lowered and it would be terribly difficult to change a larger size tire on the road. We tried 215's on both cars. We had to release the shocks to make a tire change

51 Merc
How'd you do that?

Jim
 
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51Merc and Kahuna, thanks for the info. I was thinking 205x75X15 for the front 215X75X15 for the rear on my 54 Merc. Since mine will be lowered I may have to rethink the size on the rear. When I bought it had 14"X6 Cragar wheels with 205X70's in the front and 215X75 in the rear. Those wheels and tires will be at he next Petaluma Swap Meet. Since I will be replacing them with chrome wheels and new tires I want too be sure I get the sizes right the first time.
 
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