Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Today I have installed the third set of tires and wheels on my spoiled rotten '32 pickup First set... Auburn Deluxe radials with the pie crust edge.... my experience was these tires are hard and HEAVY and not round and required the tire shop

bazooka to seat on the rims. A ton of weight on each tire which was annoying, these tires were expensive. Above 50 mph the truck would not handle for s--t.
Second set...Coker Classic, big mistake, too much weight and once again

not round...imho marginally better than the Auburns. Not a happy truck above 55. What upset me the most was how the tread snaked, did not run true, when the wheel was spun,
Third set AMERICAN CLASSIC. That little truck drove all the way to 80ish like I had just redone the suspension. Zero shake or wander, close to perfect road manners, very smooth.
Just my two cents !
Charlie ny

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Are the AMERICAN CLASSIC's bias ply or radial?

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

I have Coker Excelsior radials . . . expensive, but a very good tire.

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Great info. Thanks Charlie.
Cheers
Tony

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

It must be the "luck of the draw". I purchased a set of Coker Classics for my '51 at least 10 years ago. I mounted them, and the fronts (185/75/R15's) needed no weights! The rears (225/75R15's) needed 1 3/4 ounces on one and 2 on the other. I have driven on them the whole time with no problems. This includes many trips of several hundred miles at freeway speeds.

Since they are now over 10 years old, I think I''ll have to get another set; they look great and still drive great, but radials age faster than bias plies.

I'll be buying another set. I once worked for an Irishman who always told me : "It's better to be lucky than smart".:rolleyes:

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Yes, must be luck of the draw. I have DiamondBack Auburns and had no problems. They balanced easily and have been good for five years.

But after hearing Charlie’s problems, makes me afraid to buy tires again. Might have bad luck of the draw next time.

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Guys,
All 12 tires are radials !
Charlie ny

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

I like to drive my cars, so bias plies are not in the picture.

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Burned '32 PU came with 17" 33/34 rims and bias Firestones. Just fine. Newc

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

I like to think of myself as Old Skool, but a radial tire convert in a big way,,,

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

I used both Coker radials and Auburn Pie Crust radials. The Coker tires used excessive weight and were returned the Auburn radials used very little weight and my car rides well.

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Charlie, where are you buying the American Classic tires. ?
I need a set of wide white radials 215/75/R15 for my 49 Ford F-1. Thanks

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Kinda of been talk on the hamb for a while. Shaving the tires seems to be the thought. Who can do it and when is something too.

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Bought our shaved sidewalls from Diamondback for our O/T 55’ .
They grind off sidewall. Vulcanize a new smooth sidewall on.
Stamp new DOT numbers on backside.
Took very little weight to balance.
Stretch

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

From what I can find the American Classic is made by Coker too. Any idea how it differs from the Coker Classic Nostalgia, other than the $42 cost difference?

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

My brother had a Tire Shop. He always said buy 8 Cokers so you can send the 4 square ones back.

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Modern blackwall tires with port-a-walls ...maybe ???? I've had egg shaped Cokers too.....

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

American Classic tire has an entirely different look when viewed next to a Coker Classic.

The AC looks to me like a BF Goodrich or Atlas tire of way back, the CC looks like a implement tire from the Tractor store. Looks aside I'd still be running the CC's if they

balanced reasonably well and were round. My '32 p/u seems like it has gone to charm school....road manners vastly improved.... VS...the CC's that flunked reform school.
Charlie ny

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

Good morning Charlie,
I’m a bit confused. I google “American Classic tire” or American tire Company” and all I get are references to Coker Tires. I am desperately looking for a round tire as the last 2 sets from Coker were unsatisfactory including the Excelcior sport radial.
I tried the beads but they couldn’t overcome them out of round or balance. My “new” car has Firestone bias ply and starts to shake about 50mph.
Where can I find the “American Classics” like you purchased?

Richard

Re: Just my takle on vintage tires
 

AC's are sold by Coker, who knows where they are made. Unfortunately 15's are the largest at this time.
Charlie