Radial tires that look like bias ply tires

Browniepetersen

Coker has a new tire out that looks like a bias ply tire but performs like a SBR tire. Price is about the same for their wide white SBR and just a bit more than their bias ply tire. Anyone bought them yet? What do you think?

RL Chilton

Got a link or a picture?

StillOutThere

Diamond back ALSO has a bias-look radial tire. Whatever Coker does, Diamond Back does it BETTER, in my opinion. They call it the Auburn Radial. 16" sizes available now, 15" in 2-3 months.

RL Chilton

Sounds like that might be my NEXT set of tires. Anxious to see a pic.

[Deleted User]

Here's the Diamondback radials

Nevada Hudson

We have had many discussions on Coker tires. They don't back them up, and I will never buy any.
Diamondback tires are recommended along with Lucas.

Browniepetersen

Nevada Hudson, I get my Coker tires from my Big O dealership locally and over the past twenty or so years I have only had to return two tires. One for a minor blemish that I did not like when it was delivered and the other for a side wall failure from racing on the Salt Flats. Your term "they don't back them up" is an unfair statement. I support that you like another brand or that you do not want to use them: but, lets be fair. Also keep in mind that Coker provides some tires that are not available elsewhere. Just saying, ...

Nevada Hudson

It is not an unfair statement. I have had friends in the Hudson Club and The Packard Club That had issues with Coker tires, and basically they were told to pound sand. Ask Walt, but he's most likely tired of repeating it. Big O tires is a very good place, and they take care of their customers, no matter what they sell. So they might have more leeway with tire companies. Glad you like Coker tires.

StillOutThere

Agree, you can search old car forums from hot rodders through restorers and find hundreds of testimonials of problems with Coker over the last couple of decades where Coker FLAT REFUSED to make right on poorly constructed tires, refused to pay return shipping on same, was rude over the phone to customers, and much more. "Fair" is to shout out problematic companies so that fellow hobbyists don't have to endure the same treatment. "Fair" is not worrying about Coker getting uncomfortable while rolling in his dough.

RL Chilton

Rick-

Did you catch the $280 for 7.10x15 and $300 for the 7.60x15? Holy COW!! . . . and only a 3" whitewall. They're pretty proud of these tires!

[Deleted User]

Please don't get me started on COKERS, when you lose the caps on 4 tires at the same time. Was on my way to Orlando, FL from San Francisco, CA and was lucky it happened in the city. Walt.

[Deleted User]

Bought Coker bias ply tires over 20 years ago with no trouble. Still look good but probably replace them if I still drove many miles. The tread design on the radials look like the old Sears wide white walls you could buy years ago. (The Coker tires) PS I have always thought putting radials on a 51 Hudson would be like putting bikini on a 70 year old women. It just don't look right. LOL

Geoff

Do they actually make tires, or do they just buy them in from the cheapest tenderer? I was told some time ago that most vintage tires were made overseas, and the various vendors were just distributors, rather than manufacturers.

StillOutThere

Depends on the company, Geoff. As you may well know, Stan at Lucas tire bought obsolete Firestone molds found in New Zealand, had them made by your industry and as I recall that is how he got started several decades ago. Coker both buys and makes I believe. Diamond Back buys tires of all brands even including Michelin (their catalog notes the base tire for each of their types) and then does their own vulcanizing of the whitewall to the width you desire.

boothguy

I'm very interested in this topic as I'm currently shopping for a set of 5.50/6,50x18" tires for my 32 essex. I've heard a lot of similar stories about Coker but they do have the most choices in this uncommon size. Does anybody have personal experience with new tires on the early cars? I'd love to hear your recommendations. Thanks

ESSX28-1

We run their 500/550x20 bias ply on one of our 28 Essex Coupes. 5 years & about 10k miles with no problems

faustmb

Coker is less than 2 hours from me, so I had been planning on using them until reading this :0

I really like the look of diamond tread Goodyears that Lucas sells. Anyone here have experience with them?

StillOutThere

I count nine tires offered by Lucas Tire in the area of 5.50 - 6.50 x18. Coker has more of this "uncommon" size?

Browniepetersen

I run 525/550 17" tires on the 32 Essex wheels on my Essex Roadster pick up. I have a year on them, just over 2,000 miles. I normally drive at 60 but have had it up to 85 a few times. They are holding up quite good. Bought them from Coker but they are the Firestone brand.

StillOutThere

All these tire companies also supply tires to the huge hot rod and custom car community. When those cars are driven they are often driven hard and fast and sometimes competitively. So they aren't all conservatively driven. What seems to have NOT happened is ANY catastrophic failures that have caused loss of life and multi-million dollar lawsuits. Indeed, the only thing in memory along that line is the Bridgestone-Firestone new car problem at Ford some 7-8 years ago or so and that was hundreds of incidents total with a few of them fatal. That seems to be what it takes to get a change.

So maybe there have been individual collector or hot rod tire lawsuits and they may have been settled out of the news and under our radar. I just don't want to find myself in that situation so I won't compromise quality by buying from Coker who is certainly in a position to lay out $500,000 or a million to keep someone quiet. I'll buy Diamond Backs where there are virtually no complaints in the hobby.

Browniepetersen

Coker Tire sells its own brand of bias ply and radial tires, called the Coker Classic, but it also offers a number of popular brands, such as B.F.Goodrich, Firestone, U.S. Royal, Michelin, Vredestein, Excelsior and American Classic in both bias ply and radial construction. Coker Tire is the leading source for Firestone Deluxe Champion tires, as well as B.F.Goodrich Silvertown tires. Many of the tires are exact OEM replacement tires for a wide range of vintage makes and models.

What this means is if you bought your Firestone, Goodrich, Michelin, Diamond Backs, Etc. from Coker, Coker did not make the tire--they only distribute those brands. If your tire was the Coker Classis Brand tire (most of these are the rare sizes that are not made by anyone else) and then had problems with them. I understand your complaint. I went out to my shop and read the brand names on them. None are the Coker brand.

The American Classic tire we are talking about is being produced by Speciality Tire of America. They are providing this tire to a number of venders, but today they are the only company producing them.

Just wondering if this changes the discussion?

Richie

I bought 3 sets of WWW radial tires over the last several years from Dave Correllus and have been very happy with them. Not one issue or problem with any of them. I will continue to buy from Dave in the future. The first two sets are Diamondback, the last set was about 11 months ago but I don't remember which mfg. Richie.

RonS

I love the bikini on a 70 year old lady. Well I have used Coker for over 30 years.6-7 sets over that time Silvertowns on my hornet twice in 22 years. The tires are and were great. Of course they handle like, you know what, compared to radials. I would never even want to try to get 10 years out of a radial that sits for long times. That aside... My 50 Caddy had two sets of Firestones the second set came from Coker, with two bright white and two slightly yellow. I called them and they said they would exchange them at their cost, but the representative told me that by using Simple Green and 600 wet/dry sandpaper they will clear up. He was right.... but, still yellow rather quickly and I must repeat the process. My 31 Model A Ford has the Firestones also. After 2-3 years, on close inspection I could see small crazing in the white wall. I feel it depends on the brand. Also very important... Demand the date codes. This will protect you from tires that were sitting in the warehouse for many months. Tires will have 4 numbers. The first two are the week of production followed by the year. Ron

Kdancy

Another good company that I have purchased antique car tires from--
http://www.kelseytire.com/home.html

StillOutThere

You don't by Diamond Back tires from Coker, Brownie. Diamond Back is a hobby competitor company to Coker. There is NO tire with "Diamond Back" as a brand on the sidewall.

Browniepetersen

Thanks for setting me straight on Diamond Back. Mybad......

53jetman

Yes Kerry, my '54 Hornet Coupe has the Goodyear Radials on it from Kelsey - wouldn't dream of using anything else.

RonS

Brownie, Do you plan on showing your car in AACA? Beginning last year, Radial tires are now a 5 point deduction each (plus the spare). A lot of folks, even on this forum, restore their cars to this level & then once they receive a National Award go on to drive the car. Radials will most assuredly drop a car from a First Place Junior. I just judged at Palm Springs in October. There were some gorgeous cars that were near perfect with radials on cars before 1976. They got a Second Place. Whether you agree or not with this requirement, or frown on the "trophy hunter" part of the hobby, I am just advising any one so that it avoids disappointment and bitterness. BTW, The Tucson Region AACA is hosting the Grand National in 2015.

Nevada Hudson

Do they take off for seatbelts too?

Browniepetersen

My goal is to have a driver and since I plan to keep all the "drag race" features that were added by Wayne, George and Ike, there is no intent to go after trophies. I have my 36 that does quite well at shows and since I trailer it anywhere that is more than 100 miles from home; the 36 will be my show car. By the way, if I were to go to an AACA event I would have to travel quite a distance. There are no AACA or CCCA events anywhere near me. I tried to start up a group a few years back and could not get any followers. It is for that reason I save my trips for Hudson meets. I am wondering if the "judging groups" will deduct points for the look alike radials? Since they look just like the bias ply tires it seems a bit off track. Also, I have a hard time accepting deduction of points for safety improvements. I once lost ten points for seat belts and for a flat windshield that was safety glass. That part of judging makes me wonder why? Anyway, I am big into cars, people and driving; and, not so much into judging.

At this point I have not purchased the tires for my 54. That will most likely happen in February so I am just thinking at this time.

Frankvintagefullflowcom

I'll throw in my two-bits worth......you couldn't pay me to put a Firestone on anything but a burn pile (No, I really wouldn't do that)I have purchased two sets of Goodyears from Kelsey and they're wonderful......not exactly correct, of course, but I'm into more important considerations on my Hudsons.

Hot tip: If you do use them and choose to use a radial tube in them (sometimes it's necessary on a riveted wheel), Take the time to remove that little rectangular inspection sticker on the inside of the tire. It's a rubber gizmo with edges that can abrade the tube and cause a quick flat.....trust me on this one....it happened on two of 'em. The tell-tale set of matching rectangular holes gave it away.
Frank