I have bias ply wide whitewalls on my '59 Minx Sedan. To my surprise, they
handle amazingly well. I expected really bad handling (figuring I was
comparing a modern car with wide radials against a 41 year old car with narrow
bias ply tires) and I was pleasantly surprised. Not racing handling but
definitely keep up with traffic handling. Steering is usual Rootes
"Armstrong", but my daughter and her girlfriend could drive it. They took it
to a British car meet in September and drove it about 15 miles on regular
roads each way. I took both young ladies on test drives prior and my
daughter's girl friend whipped around the first few turns a bit fast! I had to
tell her to slow down on turns. But we went around corners about as fast as
her new VW Cabriolet!!!
So..... bias plys ain't that bad on a Minx.
Jan
"J Arzt" <humber_snipe@hotmail.com> wrote:
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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