New Rubber

[Vette66AirCoupe]

I need to replace the tires on my '66 Big Block. I want to replace them with Goodyear or B. F. Goodrich tires, radials, 205/75R/15, whitewalls. I'd like to have 1" whitewalls if I can find them, nothing bigger. Do I need to buy them from Coker or Diamond Classics or can these be had at "normal" tire dealer's shops? Looking for that 60% NCRS tire deuction.

 

[BarryK]

Terry, for what it's worth I've been seeing a lot more positive comments about Diamondback than I have from Coker on the various forums......

 

[JohnZ]

The current Firestone "Supreme Si" tires that Diamondback uses to make their redlines/goldlines etc. are available as blackwalls or whitewalls direct from your local Firestone dealer for about $70 each in the size you want, but I don't know offhand what the standard whitewall width is - check with your dealer. If you want a different whitewall width than Firestone provides, Diamondback can put any width whitewall you want on them.

 

[jims427400]

Terry,
This spring I pulled off the red stripe steel belts and baught coker redlines.3 out of the 4 were ok but the 4th required a ton of weight to ballance. Goodyear store that installed them for me said I may experience some vibration at high speeds.If I had to do over I'd get the diamondbacks or a set goodrich TAs. Goodluck..Jim

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Those Firestone tires seem to fit the bill. I was able to find them on the web but when I called the local Firestone store he said that he didn't think they made Supreme Si's anymore. I told him they were on the web and gave him an item number for them and then he said "Oh yeah, there they are, let me call Firestone and see if I can get them." Haven't heard from him in two days now so I guess I'll look for another dealer. I did notice another option on their site. http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tireselector/index_bs.asp?pagesource=searchbybrand which is the Firestone 440. If you use this link and select Firestone as the brand you can see both the 440 and the Supreme Si.Their specs are almost identical. The only real difference, a tiny one, is that the Si's tread width is 6.2 inches while the 440's is 6.1 inches. I'm pretty sure I can live with that!

 

[Rollin's65]

A quick note: You might want to check the "Toyo" tire web site. They have the 205/75/15 in their top of the line tire. White sidewall too.
There isn't much of a selection for our size tire from the big boys.

Good luck!!

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Rollin,

If I understand correctly, the Toyo's would be a 100% deduction in NCRS judging because they are a brand that was never offered on my '66 Corvette. If I put B. F. Goodrich, Goodyear, General or Firestone radial tires on it I will still get a 60% deduction, but obviously I'd be 40% ahead.