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Which One is Right for Your Car?
This '65 GTO wears a set of Coker Classic redline radial tires, and its owner takes advantage of the increased handling and more stable driving characteristics without losing any of the classic musclecar appearance.
When it comes to building a collector car, choosing a set of tires proves to be one of the most challenging aspects. Size, style and construction are big factors in the selection process and even a slight misjudgment can result in poor driving characteristics or a lackluster appearance. That’s why it’s important to do your homework before buying a new set of tires.
Bias ply tires are more authentic for cars built before 1976, but they don’t offer the same handling characteristics as a modern radial. If you don’t care about period-correct looks, go for the radial and enjoy a more stable ride and much better wet-road handling. Everyone has an opinion on the up sides and down sides of both bias ply and radial tires, so it all boils down to preference. To help decide, take a good look at your build style and work from there. If you’re building a numbers matching, nut and bolt restoration, bias ply tires are the way to go, because your goal is authenticity. However, many musclecar enthusiasts want to get out and drive, which means they will change a number of things on the car to help drivability, including the tires.
There are many differences between the two tire construction styles, but the main one is the manner in which the ply cords are run. Inside a bias ply tire the cords are run diagonally from bead to bead, overlapping in a crisscross pattern. You won’t find many bias ply tires on the rack at your average tire shop, but companies like Coker Tire offer a wide selection of authentic tires to match the original look and feel. For instance, the classic Firestone Wide Oval series rolled on countless musclecars from the late ’60s and early ’70s, and feature a bias ply construction. Coker builds these tires with the original molds using modern materials, so you’re getting the real thing, not a reproduction.
The advantage of a radial tire is undoubtedly the enhanced performance from a much more efficient form of construction.Rather than running the cords diagonally, radial tires feature cords that run straight across (90 degrees from the tire’s centerline) from bead to bead. This helps stabilize the sidewall and tread patch, while allowing the tire to better conform to the road’s surface. In 1994 Coker was the first company to introduce a wide whitewall radial tire. It changed the face of the antique tire market, and the line of nostalgia radials continues to grow. Now, Coker offers whitewalls, redlines and gold line tires in both bias ply and radial construction. Various brands are available with Firestone, BF Goodrich, Coker Classic and American Classic the proven favorites.
Whether you choose bias ply or radial, it’s important not to mix the two on the same vehicle. Radial tires conform to the pavement better than a bias ply tire, so it’s easy to see how using the different kinds could create some handling issues. Mixing bias ply tires and radials on the same vehicle has led to countless accidents and wild rides. However, if you want the looks of a bias ply tire with the modern construction of a radial, Coker manufactures a couple of different offerings to fit your needs. The Coker Classic 16-inch radial and the Excelsior Stahl Sport Radial are both radial tires that have the narrow profile and classic look of a vintage bias ply tire.
Making a decision on tires and wheels is no easy task, but knowing the major differences and how they will affect your car’s ride and handling definitely helps the decision. Do your homework and figure out exactly what you want before picking up the phone. The person on the other end will appreciate your preparation, and you can reap the benefits of a quick transaction. Whether you’re building a car from the ground up or simply replacing the tires on your existing musclecar, it pays to educate yourself and find the ideal setup for your car.
Source:
Coker Tire Co.
800-225-0075
