I am looking at replacing the whitewalls on my 55 Ford, were they this expensive back in the good old days or is it a supply and demand thing? These little boogers are pricey!
They were more money back in the day. http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/.../1957 Goodyear Passenger Price List/index.htm The cheapest 6.70-15 Whitewall on there lists for $23.95, the really high end ones are $75 each! Now, not sure if anyone paid list... but $23.95 in 1957 is about $190-200 today. Coker's cheapest 6.70-15 Whitewall today is $161 for a Coker Classic, less if you're an Alliance member. I run the same size your 55 should, 6.70-15 Firestone White walls on my 54 Ford and I think I paid in the 160s each with my alliance discount, maybe low 170s.
Since I'm pretty new I apologize if this has been kicked around before and is tried out and found fruitless but, maybe they could cut a deal if you got a few people in your area (like a car club or something) to place a bulk order. I know your pain, everything seems pretty expensive. I'm not as experienced as most you guys but even I remember when fixing up old cars was a working man's game.
Thats about what the rubber for my Lincoln cost, but then again it uses 9.50-14s and those puppies are HUGE. What size ya running? Did ya ask Coker about Alliance Discount?
Join the HAMB Alliance. Costs $40 or $50. You'll save more than that on your first order and you'll support this board, which has taught me more about cars in a year than I learned in the previous 36.
Grind some modern day 1" white walls. It's cheaper. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=566203&highlight=whitewall+grinding Now let the arrows fly.
That is my plan. Step 1 done (joining the Alliance) now on to step 2 (supporting a site sponsor). I was more curious of the price over time from old timers that know. It looks like white walls have always been pretty pricey regardless of era.
In WWW you get what you pay for, mine will run me $210. ea. plus taxes from Coker and that's picking them up in Fresno, Ca.
I have the Firestones from them and I really like them. They have, IMO, the best looks as well. They are bias plies so they do follow the road a bit but they are fine in the rain and they seem to be wearing well. No problems cruising at 65-70 on the turnpike. Oh and tires are pretty cheap these days IMO. I mean, how much are cheap modern tires in a comparable size? $75 each? You weren't buying any new tire back in the 50s for $9-10 each. Not for a normal sized car anyhow.
Oof. Thems gonna be pricey. For a COE wouldn't you really need truck tires? Don't know if those even come in www.
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