The Ford Barn

rfitzpatrick · 01-06-2025, 10:25 AM

Who's got the best tires -- search didn't help. How many miles do yall get on a new set?
TKS

Gil Sissons · 01-06-2025, 11:46 AM

In my view.... how much will you be driving your A?
It seems many current A owners are not driving many miles per year.
In that case... the tires will age out before they will wear out.
The Olympic tires from Lucas Tire are only $119. They will not last
Like the Firestone / Goodyear tires. But for some... they are a option.

Gil. NoCal

ronn · 01-06-2025, 11:54 AM

Jegs 104. each for excelsiors

radials, starting at 500. each

what do you really want? price ride quality or all the above? lol

Rich in Colorado · 01-06-2025, 12:15 PM

My story on tires.
My '28 Tudor had Wards tires on when I bought it 30 plus years ago. They looked good, new, but I don't know old they were. Lasted less than 5K miles.

Put Firestones on. Made in the USA. They lasted 11000 miles; 20 years it took me to put that many miles on it. As I understand it, Firestones for Model A's are not made in the USA anymore.

I just bought American Classic Radial tires from JEGS. Made in the USA. They had an online coupon that took $20 off a tire, so $260 each. Same price as Firestones from Snyder's. And JEGS gave free shipping. Had the tires in 4 days.

Been so cold here I haven't drove much, just around town. Seem to ride smoother, but that might just be they had tread on them! HAHA

So, bottom line I'll update you in 20 years!

TerryO · 01-06-2025, 12:29 PM

Quote:

I just bought American Classic Radial tires from JEGS. Made in the USA. They had an online coupon that took $20 off a tire, so $260 each. Same price as Firestones from Snyder's. And JEGS gave free shipping. Had the tires in 4 days.

Been so cold here I haven't drove much, just around town. Seem to ride smoother, but that might just be they had tread on them! HAHA

So, bottom line I'll update you in 20 years!

You can let him know in 20 minutes if you drive on roads with "Truck Ruts"...

TOB

nkaminar · 01-06-2025, 08:13 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The radials cost more but last longer so they may be more cost effective in the long run. I do not have an opinion on brand.

GPierce · 01-06-2025, 08:22 PM

American Classic radials make my CCPU easier to steer, does not follow the ruts worn in the asphalt. My wife says it rides better.
I took TerryO’s recommendation several years ago and am happy I did.

Apparently everyone sells them ford the same price. I got mine with free shipping from
https://www.performanceplustire.com/...hoCByUQAvD_BwE

Y-Blockhead · 01-06-2025, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn

Jegs 104. each for excelsiors

radials, starting at 500. each

what do you really want? price ride quality or all the above? lol

Which radials are going for $500.00 each?

Synchro909 · 01-06-2025, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

The radials cost more but last longer so they may be more cost effective in the long run. I do not have an opinion on brand.

I've heard conflicting information on that. One dealer says you get longer life, the other says you don't. When radial tyres became available here, they returned great mileages - often about 80,000 miles and they were made here. Conventional tyres couldn't get near that sort of life but it wasn't long before the local company was bought out and tyre mileages fell to the now about 25,000 miles
IMO, big companies like tyre manufacturers manipulate the market and they get away with it because people have such a short memories.
I can't see them behaving any differently with the tyres we use.

MARKA · 01-07-2025, 12:29 AM

13000 miles on Goodyear's and only 1/3 of tread is worn.l expect to get over 30000 miles from them
Rubber on side walls is still soft and pliable no cracks.The car drives beautifully on them.
I checked out the price on them the other day, and got a shock at how expensive they are now.

ronn · 01-07-2025, 06:36 AM

Blockhead, Im going by previous threads. this topic has been discussed at least 50x.......

we all have our preferences.

rfitzpatrick · 01-07-2025, 08:32 AM

this topic has been discussed at least 50x.......

we all have our preferences.[/QUOTE]

I understand -- but I wasn't here 50x times ago. I appreciate this discussion

Big hammer · 01-07-2025, 08:53 AM

White walls or black walls, bias or radius, compressed air or nitrogen, to balance or not, if you do a search here ! you’ll be busy reading for a month ;-)

Bob Bidonde · 01-07-2025, 09:42 AM

I have been using Universal Tires for many many years. Typically the Universal Tires last 24,000 to 25,000 miles, but it takes 10 to 12 years for me to wear a set out. The Universal Tire has a tread and sidewall pattern that mimics tires of the early 1930s. I use 303 Preservative on the tires because it eliminates the yellow ooze from new rubber, and it does not cause premature cracking of the sidewall. Traction is excellent. I bought a set in 2024 for $120 each plus tax & shipping. I run the tires with 30 PSIG in the rears, & 32 PSIG in the fronts.

Jeff/Illinois · 01-07-2025, 04:19 PM

Like Bob just said.... we're running Goodyear Diamond treads mainly because I love the look but a set of Universals are probably the best run for your money.

I'm a 200 mile per year tops guy on a Model A, don't do long trips, so these type of bias ply tires are fine with me.

If you do a lot of driving, then I'd go with the radials.

Bob Bidonde · 01-08-2025, 09:12 AM

I have spoken with some Model A'ers who run radial tires and they do not think their high cost has any significant benefit in car performance. What are the noticeable performance benefits of running radial tires on a Model "A"?

TerryO · 01-08-2025, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

I have spoken with some Model A'ers who run radial tires and they do not think their high cost has any significant benefit in car performance. What are the noticeable performance benefits of running radial tires on a Model "A"?

This Model A'er loves my radials. I drive several thousand miles a year and the difference in bias and radials is like night and day. "Try it and you'll like it".

TOB

GPierce · 01-08-2025, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryO

This Model A'er loves my radials. I drive several thousand miles a year and the difference in bias and radials is like night and day. "Try it and you'll like it".

TOB

I agree

norcalal · 01-08-2025, 10:20 PM

Couldn’t say it any better. Radials just stick to the road and don’t follow the irregularities.

01-06-2025, 10:25 AM	#1
rfitzpatrick Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Coral Springs, Florida Posts: 690	Tires Who's got the best tires -- search didn't help. How many miles do yall get on a new set? TKS

01-06-2025, 11:46 AM	#2
Gil Sissons Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: No Cal Posts: 241	Re: Tires In my view.... how much will you be driving your A? It seems many current A owners are not driving many miles per year. In that case... the tires will age out before they will wear out. The Olympic tires from Lucas Tire are only $119. They will not last Like the Firestone / Goodyear tires. But for some... they are a option. Gil. NoCal

01-06-2025, 11:54 AM	#3
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,647	Re: Tires Jegs 104. each for excelsiors radials, starting at 500. each what do you really want? price ride quality or all the above? lol

01-06-2025, 12:15 PM	#4
Rich in Colorado Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: Niwot Colorado Posts: 8	Re: Tires My story on tires. My '28 Tudor had Wards tires on when I bought it 30 plus years ago. They looked good, new, but I don't know old they were. Lasted less than 5K miles. Put Firestones on. Made in the USA. They lasted 11000 miles; 20 years it took me to put that many miles on it. As I understand it, Firestones for Model A's are not made in the USA anymore. I just bought American Classic Radial tires from JEGS. Made in the USA. They had an online coupon that took $20 off a tire, so $260 each. Same price as Firestones from Snyder's. And JEGS gave free shipping. Had the tires in 4 days. Been so cold here I haven't drove much, just around town. Seem to ride smoother, but that might just be they had tread on them! HAHA So, bottom line I'll update you in 20 years! __________________ Rich in Colorado 1922 Center Door 1923 Touring 1928 Tudor 1956 T Bird

01-06-2025, 08:13 PM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,855	Re: Tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The radials cost more but last longer so they may be more cost effective in the long run. I do not have an opinion on brand. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

01-06-2025, 08:22 PM	#7
GPierce Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Germantown,TN Posts: 574	Re: Tires American Classic radials make my CCPU easier to steer, does not follow the ruts worn in the asphalt. My wife says it rides better. I took TerryO’s recommendation several years ago and am happy I did. Apparently everyone sells them ford the same price. I got mine with free shipping from https://www.performanceplustire.com/...hoCByUQAvD_BwE

01-07-2025, 12:29 AM	#10
MARKA Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 52	Re: Tires 13000 miles on Goodyear's and only 1/3 of tread is worn.l expect to get over 30000 miles from them Rubber on side walls is still soft and pliable no cracks.The car drives beautifully on them. I checked out the price on them the other day, and got a shock at how expensive they are now.

01-07-2025, 06:36 AM	#11
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,647	Re: Tires Blockhead, Im going by previous threads. this topic has been discussed at least 50x....... we all have our preferences.

01-07-2025, 08:32 AM	#12
rfitzpatrick Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Coral Springs, Florida Posts: 690	Re: Tires this topic has been discussed at least 50x....... we all have our preferences.[/QUOTE] I understand -- but I wasn't here 50x times ago. I appreciate this discussion

01-07-2025, 08:53 AM	#13
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,430	Re: Tires White walls or black walls, bias or radius, compressed air or nitrogen, to balance or not, if you do a search here ! you’ll be busy reading for a month ;-) __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

01-07-2025, 09:42 AM	#14
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,112	Re: Tires I have been using Universal Tires for many many years. Typically the Universal Tires last 24,000 to 25,000 miles, but it takes 10 to 12 years for me to wear a set out. The Universal Tire has a tread and sidewall pattern that mimics tires of the early 1930s. I use 303 Preservative on the tires because it eliminates the yellow ooze from new rubber, and it does not cause premature cracking of the sidewall. Traction is excellent. I bought a set in 2024 for $120 each plus tax & shipping. I run the tires with 30 PSIG in the rears, & 32 PSIG in the fronts. __________________ Bob Bidonde

01-07-2025, 04:19 PM	#15
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,973	Re: Tires Like Bob just said.... we're running Goodyear Diamond treads mainly because I love the look but a set of Universals are probably the best run for your money. I'm a 200 mile per year tops guy on a Model A, don't do long trips, so these type of bias ply tires are fine with me. If you do a lot of driving, then I'd go with the radials.

01-08-2025, 09:12 AM	#16
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,112	Re: Tires I have spoken with some Model A'ers who run radial tires and they do not think their high cost has any significant benefit in car performance. What are the noticeable performance benefits of running radial tires on a Model "A"? __________________ Bob Bidonde

01-08-2025, 10:20 PM	#19
norcalal Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 101	Re: Tires Couldn’t say it any better. Radials just stick to the road and don’t follow the irregularities.