The Ford Barn

inex01 · 06-23-2014, 04:33 AM

Two weeks ago I hit pot hole and destroyed one of my wheels which started a very expensive wheel and tire up-grade. All my wheels were not very healthy to begin with and I did have plans to either replace or have trued up. Hitting that darn Pot Hole has actually bought me a positive result.

My friend John told me he had some extra wheels in his barn some where and I would be welcome to them. Well he did have and they were/are in PERFECT CONDITION! these wheels were still the original color and the paint was only dulled the holes where the lugs go are also perfect they look like new. So I paid John $50.00 per wheel which he did no want to accept! brought them home sanded them down and gave them a fresh coat of "Apple Green" (Rustolium FERN) and wow do they look great!. I have been hearing how great the new Excelsior Radial Tires were.

A person I met at one of our local car shows had them on his sedan and told me he would never go back to bias ply because the car was tracking and handling so super. So I bit the bullet "was saving up money anyway" and bought a set. On Saturday it was raining so I mounted all the tires on my new rims and also installed "Balance Beads".

Yesterday my Wife and I took the car for a drive and guys I just do not have the ability to describe how much better this car is now. It does not wander, has a more solid ride and handles so darn well. If you are considering new tires drive someones car before you purchase and you may want to spend the extra bucks. My total tire cost was $1,174.00 with tubes from Mac's

Pat Martone · 06-23-2014, 05:23 AM

I too, use the Excelsior Stahl Sport radial tires from Coker.
For me, they provide a more stable, enjoyable, and safer ride.
Yes, they cost almost twice the price of a Model A type bias ply tire, but they are supposed to last twice as long as a bias ply tire, according to what a Coker salesperson told me. The tires are rated for inflation up to 44 psi and Coker told me to inflate them to 44 psi, but after experimenting, I keep mine at about 38 psi.

denis4x4 · 06-23-2014, 08:29 AM

I have the Excelsior bias ply tires (good up to 144 MPH) on my roadster. Coker was selling these at a deep discount when they switched over to the radials. They are superior to anything I've had before and will go to the Excelsior radials on the next go around.

JohnLaVoy · 06-23-2014, 09:19 AM

We have the Excelsior radials on a couple of cars, there will be an article on them in the next issue of the Times. We really like them for ride and handling, plus you get a lot more miles out of a set than the other brands. The picture is on a 1929 Fordor with 21" wheels.

1931 flamingo · 06-23-2014, 11:42 AM

Depending on the age of the tires replaced, any new ones will be an improvement............
Paul in CT

mhsprecher · 05-11-2015, 12:13 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I am ready to pull the trigger on some new tires and plan to go with the Excelsior radials. Checking with MACs and Coker, neither offer the radial tube with a metal valve stem. Coker will add them for an additional fee. My car is not show quality, but I like it to be as original as possible if I can. What has others' experience been when buying tubes? Coker is a tad more expensive, but that is with the metal stemmed tubes.

CarlG · 05-11-2015, 12:34 PM

I almost pulled this same trigger this past weekend. I'm still going to do it, just had to re-prioritize things.

The question that still lurks in my mind is what size to get? I'm leaning toward 550 x 19 for my Pickup. Also don't see matching radial tubes on their website. Metal stems would be nice, but everything I have now has rubber stems.

Freight is the killer coming to Alaska. Coker only wants to ship FedEx 2-day air to Alaska, which is a real big deal $$wise.

mhsprecher · 05-11-2015, 12:49 PM

Wow, Carl. See what Mac's will do. I would hope that Coker would negotiate on that one.

I have found them and not found them on Coker's web site, so I just called. I did not find them on Mac's web site, so I called. I also read that Summit has them, but I did not find them on their web site. I have not called. Coker recommended the 500 x 19.

CarlG · 05-11-2015, 12:58 PM

I'm working the freight thru a forwarder in Tacoma. I'll see how that shakes out. Coker does have a warehouse on the West Coast also.

I was only thinking of 550x19's because it is on a Pickup.

Fullraceflathead · 05-11-2015, 01:11 PM

"I have the Excelsior bias ply tires (good up to 144 MPH) on my roadster".

That's one Helluva Overdrive and Healthy Squirt of Nitrous Oxide in a Model A!!!

Yes I know I took the Quote completely out of context, lol!

Patrick L. · 05-11-2015, 01:27 PM

I have been thinking that very thing so I'm glad to read these results. I too was wondering what size to get, I don't use side mounts.

It also seems to me that I remember a mileage guarantee, 50K seems to ring that bell. That would kinda make them worth while.

prpmmp · 05-11-2015, 04:09 PM

Check out Jegs and Summit!! They both carry Excelsior Tires and I believe they come under Free Shipping Policy!! Get the tire numbers from Coker sight then search the Jegs and Summit catalog. Pete

CarlG · 05-11-2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prpmmp

Check out Jegs and Summit!! They both carry Excelsior Tires and I believe they come under Free Shipping Policy!! Get the tire numbers from Coker sight then search the Jegs and Summit catalog. Pete

Jegs sez:
Free Shipping & handling is valid on most orders $30 and over shipping via ground service within the contiguous United States only. Alaska doesn't count. Plus, tires have a $10/ea FedEx surcharge anywhere.

Summit is pretty much the same.

1931 flamingo · 05-11-2015, 07:02 PM

Maybe you could get them shipped via FASTENAL?? Are there any FASTENAL stores anywhere near you??
Paul in CT

denis4x4 · 05-11-2015, 08:38 PM

Went from Excelsior bias to radials last fall. From a visual standpoint, the bias tires look better on the roadster, but the radials sure do perform better. Mine is the #3 car at the Georgetown Hillclimb last fall

pat in Santa Cruz · 05-11-2015, 11:27 PM

one fellow in our club replaced his 19'' bias with 19 inch Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials right after they became available. He has driven almost 30K miles on them before replacing them. They still had some meat left, but he's going across the country to the Lobsters and Lighthouses tour and did not want to change them on the way back. He figures they would have made it to 30K. I rode with him down the freeway right after he bought them. We were changing lanes at 65-70 in a '30 phaeton, and the car stuck like glue. I was amazed. When I wear out my Coker Classics, I will get Excelsiors.

Synchro909 · 05-12-2015, 01:25 AM

Correct me of I'm wrong but aren't radial tyres only available in 19". Post 4 suggests they are available in 21" too.

CarlG · 05-12-2015, 01:51 AM

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/bran...rt-radial.html

Says they have 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21 inch tires

barkleydave · 05-12-2015, 08:14 AM

$1,500 bucks for 5 21 inch tires.... OUCH!

dpson · 05-12-2015, 03:54 PM

I want to say thanks for starting this post, I didn't realize they made radials for Model A's, so I've learned something today!

06-23-2014, 04:33 AM	#1
inex01 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Rockville, Maryland Posts: 350	Excelsior Radial Tires Two weeks ago I hit pot hole and destroyed one of my wheels which started a very expensive wheel and tire up-grade. All my wheels were not very healthy to begin with and I did have plans to either replace or have trued up. Hitting that darn Pot Hole has actually bought me a positive result. My friend John told me he had some extra wheels in his barn some where and I would be welcome to them. Well he did have and they were/are in PERFECT CONDITION! these wheels were still the original color and the paint was only dulled the holes where the lugs go are also perfect they look like new. So I paid John $50.00 per wheel which he did no want to accept! brought them home sanded them down and gave them a fresh coat of "Apple Green" (Rustolium FERN) and wow do they look great!. I have been hearing how great the new Excelsior Radial Tires were. A person I met at one of our local car shows had them on his sedan and told me he would never go back to bias ply because the car was tracking and handling so super. So I bit the bullet "was saving up money anyway" and bought a set. On Saturday it was raining so I mounted all the tires on my new rims and also installed "Balance Beads". Yesterday my Wife and I took the car for a drive and guys I just do not have the ability to describe how much better this car is now. It does not wander, has a more solid ride and handles so darn well. If you are considering new tires drive someones car before you purchase and you may want to spend the extra bucks. My total tire cost was $1,174.00 with tubes from Mac's __________________ Chuck McDonald, Member of AACA, Model A Club, NRA Last edited by inex01; 06-23-2014 at 04:42 AM.

06-23-2014, 05:23 AM	#2
Pat Martone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 495	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires I too, use the Excelsior Stahl Sport radial tires from Coker. For me, they provide a more stable, enjoyable, and safer ride. Yes, they cost almost twice the price of a Model A type bias ply tire, but they are supposed to last twice as long as a bias ply tire, according to what a Coker salesperson told me. The tires are rated for inflation up to 44 psi and Coker told me to inflate them to 44 psi, but after experimenting, I keep mine at about 38 psi.

06-23-2014, 11:42 AM	#5
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires Depending on the age of the tires replaced, any new ones will be an improvement............ Paul in CT

05-11-2015, 12:13 PM	#6
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I am ready to pull the trigger on some new tires and plan to go with the Excelsior radials. Checking with MACs and Coker, neither offer the radial tube with a metal valve stem. Coker will add them for an additional fee. My car is not show quality, but I like it to be as original as possible if I can. What has others' experience been when buying tubes? Coker is a tad more expensive, but that is with the metal stemmed tubes.

05-11-2015, 12:34 PM	#7
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires I almost pulled this same trigger this past weekend. I'm still going to do it, just had to re-prioritize things. The question that still lurks in my mind is what size to get? I'm leaning toward 550 x 19 for my Pickup. Also don't see matching radial tubes on their website. Metal stems would be nice, but everything I have now has rubber stems. Freight is the killer coming to Alaska. Coker only wants to ship FedEx 2-day air to Alaska, which is a real big deal $$wise. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

06-23-2014, 08:29 AM	#3
denis4x4 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Durango CO Posts: 1,309	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires I have the Excelsior bias ply tires (good up to 144 MPH) on my roadster. Coker was selling these at a deep discount when they switched over to the radials. They are superior to anything I've had before and will go to the Excelsior radials on the next go around. __________________ No restorable Model A's were harmed in the building of this truck!

05-11-2015, 12:49 PM	#8
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires Wow, Carl. See what Mac's will do. I would hope that Coker would negotiate on that one. I have found them and not found them on Coker's web site, so I just called. I did not find them on Mac's web site, so I called. I also read that Summit has them, but I did not find them on their web site. I have not called. Coker recommended the 500 x 19.

05-11-2015, 12:58 PM	#9
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires I'm working the freight thru a forwarder in Tacoma. I'll see how that shakes out. Coker does have a warehouse on the West Coast also. I was only thinking of 550x19's because it is on a Pickup. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

05-11-2015, 01:11 PM	#10
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,176	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires "I have the Excelsior bias ply tires (good up to 144 MPH) on my roadster". That's one Helluva Overdrive and Healthy Squirt of Nitrous Oxide in a Model A!!! Yes I know I took the Quote completely out of context, lol! __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

05-11-2015, 01:27 PM	#11
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires I have been thinking that very thing so I'm glad to read these results. I too was wondering what size to get, I don't use side mounts. It also seems to me that I remember a mileage guarantee, 50K seems to ring that bell. That would kinda make them worth while.

05-11-2015, 04:09 PM	#12
prpmmp Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: west grove Pa. Posts: 238	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires Check out Jegs and Summit!! They both carry Excelsior Tires and I believe they come under Free Shipping Policy!! Get the tire numbers from Coker sight then search the Jegs and Summit catalog. Pete

05-11-2015, 07:02 PM	#14
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires Maybe you could get them shipped via FASTENAL?? Are there any FASTENAL stores anywhere near you?? Paul in CT

05-11-2015, 11:27 PM	#16
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires one fellow in our club replaced his 19'' bias with 19 inch Excelsior Stahl Sport Radials right after they became available. He has driven almost 30K miles on them before replacing them. They still had some meat left, but he's going across the country to the Lobsters and Lighthouses tour and did not want to change them on the way back. He figures they would have made it to 30K. I rode with him down the freeway right after he bought them. We were changing lanes at 65-70 in a '30 phaeton, and the car stuck like glue. I was amazed. When I wear out my Coker Classics, I will get Excelsiors.

05-12-2015, 01:25 AM	#17
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires Correct me of I'm wrong but aren't radial tyres only available in 19". Post 4 suggests they are available in 21" too. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

05-12-2015, 01:51 AM	#18
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires https://www.cokertire.com/tires/bran...rt-radial.html Says they have 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21 inch tires __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

05-12-2015, 08:14 AM	#19
barkleydave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Kentucky Posts: 502	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires $1,500 bucks for 5 21 inch tires.... OUCH!

05-12-2015, 03:54 PM	#20
dpson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 223	Re: Excelsior Radial Tires I want to say thanks for starting this post, I didn't realize they made radials for Model A's, so I've learned something today!