Wide White Wall Tires

[paul2748]

I want to get some wide white wall tires for my 56 Thunderbird. I've pretty much decided on Diamond Backs and am looking at the Diamond Back 1 which they say is entry level tire. It is S rated (112MPH), the same as most of their other tires.

I drive this car all over, including long distance (coast to coast twice)

Does anyone have any experience with this tire?

Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[modeleh]

I bought a set for my Lincoln but haven't driven on them yet. They are a Nexan brand and look fine. I don't expect any issues.

 

[dmsfrr]

A neighbor with a '55 Bird put a set of wide white Diamond Backs on it and drove it from NM to NC.
He had no problems and his son is still driving it. I don't know which specific series they were.

 

[Daves55Sedan]

Macs is selling a WW tire that they advertise as a radial tire, but is manufactured to the OEM measurements, available in 670-15, 710-15 and so on. I get the impression that if this is true, it would be beneficial to use them if you wanted the original tire "look" with the hidden benefit of radial technology. Of course they cost $250-$275 EACH.

 

[dmsfrr]

Of course they cost $250-$275 EACH.

Something about having to spend that much for tires... plus mounting, valve stems, balancing, installation and taxes... for tires that will dry rot and crack before you use even half the tread just annoys me. I know the cost is higher due to small production runs, low demand, etc. etc. but it still bugs me. Maybe I've got Scottish ancestors?

 

[Daves55Sedan]

Yeah, thing of it is...that this is the tire that I have been searching for all these decades, because modern tires on the rear are too difficult to change, even if you let the air out of them. But these radial WW's have the original tire width, so it would be easy to change them. The rub is, they also have the very narrow tread width, so the tire won't last as long as a modern radial (I figure about half the useful life in tread wear). $275. Sorry, can't see it.

 

[Kahuna]

Here are mine from Calli Tires in Sacramento, CA.
They are Cooper Tires in 205 75 R15. They have
different Mfgs, if needed.
Cost was $649.00 for 4, tax included
They are made the same way Diamond Back does:
That is, they vulcanize a WW to a new Radial tire,
and are available in varying widths. Mine are 3 1/4"
They really look good, and can be changed without
undue stress. My car is not lowered.
Jim

 

[modeleh]

Here are mine from Calli Tires in Sacramento, CA.
They are Cooper Tires in 205 75 R15. They have
different Mfgs, if needed.
Cost was $649.00 for 4, tax included
They are made the same way Diamond Back does
Jim

Those look nice. IMO Cooper makes the best tires of any of the domestic manufacturers. It's good to see another supplier getting into the collector car tire game and at a reasonable price, it keeps the other guys on their toes.

 

[Daves55Sedan]

They are Cooper Tires in 205 75 R15.

Some time back, I investigated these. The 205's are 8 inches wide inflated and 27 inches overall diameter compared to the original 710x15 tires which have a diameter of 28.9 inches and are much more narrow.

I used the 205's on the front and P215-75R15's on the back with a width of 8.4 inches and diameter of 27.6 inches. They are still more than 1 inch smaller in diameter than the 710's, but it was the best I could do. The 215's are VERY difficult to remove from the rear. The air must be let out and changing tires requires use of bumper jack and a bottle jack under the rear axle. Still it is a fight to get them out. But they sure are great tires.

My '55 Courier still has the OEM 710's on them and those tires seem like you are taking your life in your own hands compared to the modern radials.

 

[larrys40]

good thread... the diamond backs are expensive for sure... two things:

1. any more experiences on the ones from Calli Tires?

2. In running the original wire basket hubcaps and feedback on issues or how close the run and if they make any noise on the Diamond back or Calli tires?

I've had a terrible issue with them rubbing on the Coker Classic tires... I'm definately not a fan of the coker Classics and feel that coker doesn't back them up very well either.
Larry

 

[Daves55Sedan]

I've had my share of Coker tires and I don't think their products are actually intended for use on cars that are going to be driven. They might be okay for trailer queens and museum pieces. I've had a set of Coker classics and their repro BF Goodrich 710's. Niether of them are worth a hoot unless you just wanna sit and look at em. And they are waaay too expensive for such poor quality.