I don't know how old you have to be to qualify as a toothless old fart,
but I have driven many miles on bias-ply tires and would never do so again
unless it was for a show and not a long drive. Have you ever driven over a
steel grated bridge, had the front tire get caught in a cement highway groove,
driven on ice or in the rain? How did we EVER survive?
I'm sure all of us have asked that question about many things we have done and
realize we wouldn't do again. Jerry is right. The radial ply
tire offers superior safety, handling and peace of mind. I wouldn't drive a
Model "T" on the Interstate and likewisw would not drive on bias-ply tires
under current highway driving conditions. IMHO.
Doug
WOW!! - HOW on earth did we EVER survive without radial tires - especially
the Brits with their weather! For racing/track use, I certainly agree with you
- radials grip better - so much better that they have collapsed wheels!
I drove my BT7 (I bought it new in 1962) for 20 years on RS5s (including some
competition) with NO problems. What do you mean by "today's highway
speeds"?
70 then - 70 now - what's the big deal? I'm not going to flog my antique car
down the road at some ridiculously excessive speed, OR corner hard in the wet -
that is just plain stupid - even maintained in good shape, it's still not a
good idea - some of the cars are 50 years old. We are talking about VINTAGE
cars here, and the whole LBC "experience". They weren't designed for
the added
grip of radials. I'd sooner slide a bit, than explode a wheel.
And, lest you think I am just some toothless old fart/geezer - I exceed the
limit at least 90% of the time I'm on the freeway - My Honda Accord is so
smooth, it easily gets up to 90 before I realize it, and have to pull it back
to
a
"reasonable" 75-80. But that is a modern car, and I am NOT exceeding
it's
capabilities. The Healey is for FUN, and I have a ball, just cruising at
reasonable speeds!
Dick Hosmer
BT718556
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