Vintage Rubber or Radials on a 69 Z28 ???

**Survivor 69/Z28** · #1 01-08-2007, 10:29 PM

Hello to everyone!
This is my first posting on this forum. Great site!
I was wondering if anyone is driving on vintage style tires? I have a 69 Z28 that is all original including the original spare tire in the trunk. Its a Firestone E70-15 Sport Car 200. I love the way they look and would like to have them on all 4 corners. But how do they drive? Are the vintage tires really as bad as some folks say? I do understand that they will not drive like modern radials. I just want to make sure I am not making a bad choice by going with these. I do like to take the car out and drive it some on the weekends....

Thanks for the help!

**MosportGreen66** · #2 01-08-2007, 10:40 PM

They drive like crap. Bottom line. Steering feels loose and braking is tough. However, they look like a million bucks. For show, no question bias plys. But for driving, radials take the cake.

Many people here dislike radials and will only drive on bias plys. I use them both and enjoy them both when the time is right, and most importantly safe.

here some bias plys...

**Survivor 69/Z28** · #3 01-08-2007, 10:44 PM

Great looking Z!
Yea, that is what I have heard. But, dang they look good!
Are they so bad that it makes the car dangerous to drive?
The last thing I would want is run my car into a pole just because I thought the tires looked cool....

**YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY** · #4 01-08-2007, 10:53 PM

I don't think they are bad at all, I love driving on the repro bias plys,

They aren't dangerous, Rob & Pete are running 110-120mph on them, and the tires stay together.

**Survivor 69/Z28** · #5 01-08-2007, 10:55 PM

Marlin,

Which tires are you running?

Thanks,

**Survivor 69/Z28** · #6 01-08-2007, 10:57 PM

Does anyone know how the Sport Car 200's drive? Or are they all about the same?

Coker told me that these tires look exactly like they did in 69, BUT they were built a little bit better today. For whatever that's worth....

Don_Lightfoot · #7 01-08-2007, 10:59 PM

I have run the original style bias ply tires on all my previous musclecars in the past fifteen years with the exception of one. I am no different than you in as much I go for the odd weekend rip or cruise spot. Normally I put on just a few hundred miles a year.

My Chevelle has no power steering (seems like fifty turns lock to lock) and stiff suspension. On anything but the smoothest road you require two hands on the wheel to avoid the wandering. If I drove it more, or drove it for longer distances, radials would be the way to go.

Yes, bias tires are not the most comfortable way to get around, but that's part of the Musclecar mystique in my opinion - strong armed, pedal to the metal, gear slamming - all with a smile on the face. I also prefer the looks.

Just my two pennies worth.

**YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY** · #8 01-08-2007, 11:30 PM

Coker produced Firestone Wide Oval white pinstripes!

x Baldwin Motion · #9 01-09-2007, 02:27 AM

old stock hard as a rock show tire

time to drive tires

**olredalert** · #10 01-09-2007, 03:16 AM

-------Bought Coker radials for my Grand Prix, and took them off this summer as I didnt like the way the car drove WITH the radials,,,go figure. I think its two reasons. 1. Im old and remember how cars drove back in the day. 2. The car is old and set up for bias-plys. Now that I have the Goodyear bias-plys back on Im actually back to liking to drive the car again.......Bill S

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