This radial orientation of the cords allows for a more flexible design, which conforms to the road surface, and allows the tires to skim across the ruts and breaks in the surface. The advantages are created by the tire’s construction, which consists of ply cords that run 90 degrees in relation to the bead.
REDLINE TIRES 1966 CORVETTE UPGRADE
Radial tires are an easy and effective upgrade for muscle cars, as the more modern construction offers great improvements, including ride quality, wet weather traction and tread life. Radial – Superb Ride Quality with a Small Sacrifice in Appearance The molds have been restored and brought up to modern standards, but still have all the same features as the original tires that rolled beneath millions of classic cars. In the case of Coker Tire, its bias ply tire offerings are manufactured from the original molds that were used in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Many original fitments and brands are available for muscle cars, providing the ultimate authentic appearance. This sometimes creates a “wandering” sensation, as the tires tend to follow the ruts and breaks in the pavement.īias ply tires were used on American automobiles until the ‘70s, so if you’re restoring a car from that time frame, a bias ply tire is an appropriate choice. The rigid construction means bias ply tires do not conform to the road surface as efficiently as a radial tire. The narrow tread pattern, and the fact that most bias ply tires mount to narrow wheels, makes for a sidewall bulge that is easily identifiable and adds to the look of most classic cars and muscle cars (Picture 3).īias ply tires are strong, but the rigidity offers some peculiar handling characteristics if you’re accustomed to driving a modern vehicle on radial tires. In the vintage car market, bias ply tires feature a narrow tread profile with a sharp shoulder that usually has a piecrust pattern. This diagonal pattern is criss-crossed with each layer of ply cord and creates a very rigid structure. Inside a bias ply tire (Picture 2), the cords (plies) run at a 45-degree angle from bead to bead.
REDLINE TIRES 1966 CORVETTE FULL
To get the full scoop on classic car tires, we called in the experts from Coker Tire to help us with facts and figures that are common when shopping for specialty tires.īias Ply – Authentic Appearance with a Small Sacrifice in Ride Quality Knowing the difference between bias ply and radial tires and how it affects your car’s handling and ride quality is an important part of your tire choice.īoth types of tire construction have pros and cons in the collector car world, so it’s important to be educated on the matter before pulling the trigger on a new set of skins. These terms refer to the internal construction of the tire. The specialty tire market has typically been divided into two segments, bias ply and radial. It’s what a lot of car guys want to recreate when they restore an old car. A car that rolled off the showroom floor with a set of redline tires had instant personality.
Although generic modern radial tires are safe and provide adequate ride quality, they certainly don’t add to a car’s personality like a set of specialty tires. Modern blackwall radials that fit 14- and 15-inch wheels are still readily available at most local tire stores, but a set of generic modern radials just doesn’t fit the theme of a good old fashioned American muscle car. Whether you’re building a restored classic, a wild hot rod or a modified muscle car, the tires can make or break your driving experience, as well as the overall appearance of the vehicle. Selecting a set of tires is one of those decisions, a very important one. Learn what’s best for your ride and choose carefully to get the most for your money.Ĭar guys are faced with a lot of decisions when building or modifying an old car. Tires play a huge part in the fun factor of your car.
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