What brand tires?

50C8DAN

I need new tires on my '54.  Blackwalls are fine and I don't need Coker or repros.  What brands have you guys found acceptable?  I am surprised in some respects that the 225/75/R15 or 70 R15s are not as available from the big guys like they used to be. Seems to be a lot of no-name I have heard of?

cheyenne7271

Look at Vitour tires. I ordered a set for a car I’m working on. P225/75R-15 treadwear 400 traction and temp rated A and they have 1 3/8” whitewall for about $450/ set

cheyenne7271

50C8DAN

Any idea where these come from or who makes them?  I am hoping not China?

railknight

Vitour tires are indeed made in China.  In fact, their factory is "located on the shores of the Yellow Sea in Qingdao City, Shandong Province."  One website seems to indicate that Vitour tires hold out quite well.  Here's a list of American and foreign tire manufactures with production in the U.S.  Tires Made in USA: American and Foreign Brands (utires.com)

BigSky

What’s the speed rating on those tires?  I’d like to find at minimum an H-rated tire but it’s hard to find anything with some height & a higher speed rating.  

Jon B

Have you checked into Diamondback Classics?  https://dbtires.com/

Possibly, though, they're a bit more "specialty", like Coker, and you're just looking for something good, not an authentic old design, and not overpriced.

I believe they're made in South Carolina but that should be checked out.

Glowplug

The Diamond Back tires on my 54 Hudson were installed by previous owner and are GREAT TIRES.  I have Chinese Radials on one of my 54 Hudsons and they are Good Road tires... the 53 Sedan has older bias ply tires... run very well  not sure where they were made.   If I replace the tires on any stepdown Hudson in the future... it will be DIAMOND BACK tires... they are the best tires I have ever encountered on a Hudson Stepdown.

railknight

I too have Diamond Back tires with wide whitewalls on my '53 Super Wasp.  Never had any issues with them.  They only have about 5000 miles on them, but they're at least nine years old so age is a factor in replacing them since they're radials.  I paid around $900.00 for them and I'm sure they're more pricey now.  

50C8DAN

Jon, I use Diamondbacks on several of my cars and they are outstanding tires, but for blackwalls - way too expensive.  They do not make their own tires, but take other tires and vulcanize wide whites, red line, etc. on them.  

50C8DAN

Firestone, Cooper, BF Goodrich all make what look to be reasonable 225/70/R15.  75s are not as popular it appears.  Hankook & Nexen make some lower-cost ones.  I probably will go with 70s.

https://tiresize.com/tires/Nexen/N-Priz-AH5-225-75R15.htm

cheyenne7271

I have a set of Cooper Untouchables bias ply wide whites probably made in the late 80s or 90s that look good and ride good even at 70-75 mph. The car was always stored inside so they are still perfect. I have a 10 year old set of Firestone radials that were brand new and stored inside and had two of them come apart with only a few thousand miles on them. 

BigSky

I have always heard good things about diamondbacks & have a new set of big & little wide whites on the shelf for something I need to buy & put them on!

Kdancy

cheyenne7271 said:

I have a set of Cooper Untouchables bias ply wide whites probably made in the late 80s or 90s that look good and ride good even at 70-75 mph. The car was always stored inside so they are still perfect. I have a 10 year old set of Firestone radials that were brand new and stored inside and had two of them come apart with only a few thousand miles on them. 

The real issue is with radials. Bias ply tires last much longer and store better long term.

cheyenne7271

That’s true but there is something missing, from modern tires made in the last few years, that keeps them from lasting more than a few years without cracking 

50C8DAN

I have a set of Coopers on my '64 Studebaker since 1993 and they look as good as they did when I bought them.  I will replace them anyway as there are always warnings about tire rot.  However, the ones on my '54 had to go.  They were Goodyears and the tire store would not just remove them from my wire wheels, which went for stripping and powder coating.  They said by law they could not remount tires 6 or more years old.  I had never heard that.

Here is a photo of my powder coated wheels.  Prior they were disgusting due to rust and peeling chrome.  I plan to use 15" beauty rings and the wire wheel center covers.

54coupe

50C8DAN Those wire wheels look fantastic. I would love to put a set on my 54 coupe. 

bull_islander

Rims look great Dan.  Definitely post another picture when they're back on the car.
My car had Hankook's on it when i got it.  Rode well, but I didn't like the look.

dholck

Looks like 225/75R15 tires are mostly looked at as "trailer tires" these days.  Walmart has all-season Hankooks for you at $76 (T-rated 118 MPH), and others.  Coker has a selection; $200 to $330 each, and the Travelstar radial for $83.  Just out of curiosity; a 54 Hudson goes at 130 MPH sustained speeds?  112 MPH wouldn't do it?  My unsolicited opinion is that an S rated tire is plenty.
Also; everybody stop cheaping out on the tires!  Those 4 tiny spots on the bottom of those tires is all that keeps you attached to the earth - you really want the cheapest?  Not that the most money buys the best tire - I'd just be concerned with tire quality.