My personal experience with radial tires on vintage cars isn't great. 20
years ago when I first bought my '67 Alpine, I put a set of Michelins on it,
replacing a mismatched set of bias-plies. Steering effort at low speeds was
MUCH higher, the handling was great, but it started breaking spokes. Radials
have MUCH more lateral grip, and they were overstressing the wire wheels.
I've been told the same stress is transferred to the king pins on early
suspensions, so I was hesitant to try it again, however, in a pinch, I put a
set of radials on my 1961 Humber Super Snipe. I also have a 1966 Snipe, and
I put Coker vintage bias-ply whitewalls on it, so I have a comparison. The
radials admittedly respond better, but are much harder on the steering and
suspension systems.
Another thing to consider is the rim. Most old rims don't have the
raised lip to retain the bead of a tubeless radial tire. That makes tubes a
necessity.
Personally, I prefer the ride and the look of the bias-ply tires. I'll
be ordering a set of 5.60x15 wide whites for the Minx convertible as soon as
it's ready for the road.
Just my 2p worth!
Jon Arzt
Omaha, NE USA
>From: "Russ Eshelman" <RussE@Firstva.com>
>
>Hello fellow Beamers, I am thinking about ordering some new 185-R16 Radial
>whitewall tires from Coker for my '53 Talbot. They say these are the
>replacements for the original 600/650-16 Bias-ply tires and there should
>not
>be any problem as far as fit and clearance. Before I send Coker almost
>$775.00 I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with these or
>any other brand Radial tires on our older cars that you would mind passing
>on. Thanks in advance, Russ Eshelman
>
>l953 Sunbeam Talbot 90 IIa DHC
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