The Ford Barn

Bored&Stroked · 04-30-2016, 09:12 AM

One of the big challenges is how bias-ply tires track versus radials. On my 32, I opted for some Coker Excelsior Stahl tires - because I wanted to be more comfortable driving at higher speeds. The car has 16" firestone wires - stock suspension, stock brakes and newly rebuilt shocks. These tires do help a lot and still look "semi traditional". The only bad part - they are quite expensive. BUT, when I think about the value of the car and my hide in it - along with the ease of driving the car - probably worth it.

SUHRsc · 04-30-2016, 09:44 AM

I've had my Kelsey Hayes 16" wheels over 100mph

I run 16" Kelsey rear and 17" fronts on my dirt track racecar pretty fast sliding through the turns.

Karl · 04-30-2016, 06:50 PM

I run my 1913 T at 40-45 mph , my 1930 Model A at 50-55 mph and the 1934 V8 at 60-65 mph all day on a trip. All are on standard wheels and all are basically stock. However I have gone to great pains to ensure that they are functionally at stock -That is steering, brakes and suspension all work as they would have worked when new and are kept this way. A new Ford was perfectly capable of these speeds safely (or as safe as you get for the time without seatbelts). Many restored cars I see a visually restored but not functionally restored. The above speeds would be insane in those cars and perhaps also with the traffic density you experience in the States which down under we thankfully don't have

Ian NZ · 04-30-2016, 11:59 PM

I am sure when there was stock car racing years ago a lot of V8,s were raced with spoke wheels too.

Equipped28 · 05-02-2016, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUHRsc

I've had my Kelsey Hayes 16" wheels over 100mph

I run 16" Kelsey rear and 17" fronts on my dirt track racecar pretty fast sliding through the turns.

Where's the like button.

I also drive my roadster with 16" ford wires all round sideways.

CarlG · 05-02-2016, 04:48 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I can hit 60 with the model A ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankWest

WOW! pretty fast for a model A...

55-60 is where mine feels most comfortable.

04-30-2016, 09:12 AM	#21
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,062	Re: Ford Original wire wheel One of the big challenges is how bias-ply tires track versus radials. On my 32, I opted for some Coker Excelsior Stahl tires - because I wanted to be more comfortable driving at higher speeds. The car has 16" firestone wires - stock suspension, stock brakes and newly rebuilt shocks. These tires do help a lot and still look "semi traditional". The only bad part - they are quite expensive. BUT, when I think about the value of the car and my hide in it - along with the ease of driving the car - probably worth it.

04-30-2016, 06:50 PM	#23
Karl Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manawatu, New Zealand Posts: 1,416	Re: Ford Original wire wheel I run my 1913 T at 40-45 mph , my 1930 Model A at 50-55 mph and the 1934 V8 at 60-65 mph all day on a trip. All are on standard wheels and all are basically stock. However I have gone to great pains to ensure that they are functionally at stock -That is steering, brakes and suspension all work as they would have worked when new and are kept this way. A new Ford was perfectly capable of these speeds safely (or as safe as you get for the time without seatbelts). Many restored cars I see a visually restored but not functionally restored. The above speeds would be insane in those cars and perhaps also with the traffic density you experience in the States which down under we thankfully don't have

04-30-2016, 11:59 PM	#24
Ian NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Taranaki, New Zealand Posts: 922	Re: Ford Original wire wheel I am sure when there was stock car racing years ago a lot of V8,s were raced with spoke wheels too.