My basically stock '30 Model A wears 16", 1935 Ford wire wheels. I am looking to replace the tires in the next year with radial tires, but would like some comments/comparisons regarding performance for the following: Excelsior Stahl Sport Radial, 6.00R16 Avon Turbosteel, 6.70VR16 Auburn Deluxe Radial 6.00R16 Michelin Pilote X, 6.00R16 Coker Classic, 6.00R16 Modern Tires, 225/70R16 I plan to run tubes on the old wheels. I may choose to run steelies with the stickier tires as a second set for the road.
no need for tubes. I use 195/80R16 on my avatar. They were sold for 1998 RAV4 EV. The tread is only 1 inch wider than stock
Talking Radial tires on here is supposed to be a no no. Get yourself some quality bias ply tires. There are many to choose from, not only the expensive ones. Look up your wanted size.
Look, the situation is this: the question you are asking has come up and has been discussed many times. Take the trouble to search. Try searching Diamondback Auburn radials for one. You'll get plenty food for thought. Same with the Stahls. Your question has nothing to do with police, but you can expect multiple different responses (the same responses as in multiple similar threads) including answers to questions you didn't even ask, such as radial vs. bias. This is the search button at the top of the page:
Not wire wheels but they are 16" on my 29 AV8 avatar. 5.50x16 front 6.50x16 rear Coker bias look radials. My '33 Plymouth Hemi coupe has 215/70x16 front and 235/85x16 rear radials. Dave
I like the Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials, have them on a few cars. Can't comment on longevity, but they seem to ride and handle nicely on my Model A and don't track like the Firestone bias plies that I've used in the past.
with all old wheels, I run tubes. Reason is - I hate the slow leaks. I believe that you can use a sealer as an alternative, but I don’t know if that is allowed.
I ran Firestone bias on my T modified since 2007. Last year I bought a set of Coker bias look radials, totally changed the car for the better. The only thing I don’t like is I had to step up the size on the front since they don’t make an equivalent to a 4.50/500.
Just bite the bullet and buy some 600-R16 Excelsior's and some good radial tubes (not Coker tubes). You won't be sorry.
Thanks to all who posted replies about tires. Comparisons of the type that Grassroots Motorsports publish for high performance and racing tires don't seem to exist for the vintage tire market. My other car is a 4 cylinder roadster
Go over` to the Ford Barn Model A Forum, do a search. Lots of fellows over there run the 35 wires. Paul in CT
If he's in the US, there is no criteria called "allowed". Even in the states that have annual (or otherwise) safety inspection, nobody is going to pull a tire off of a wheel to look, or to check if there is a tube, or not. Inspections, where they exist, are for the function of safety items (tire tread, wipers, horn, brakes, lights, etc.), and overall condition (rust holes, etc.) In my state, we have 40,000,000 registered vehicles. The only inspections are for smog after 1975 models, and for commercial trucks.
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