The Ford Barn

Charlie ny · 07-06-2022, 06:35 PM

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

petehoovie · 07-06-2022, 06:38 PM

Are the AMERICAN CLASSIC's bias ply or radial?

Bored&Stroked · 07-06-2022, 07:17 PM

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

KiWinUS · 07-06-2022, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie ny

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

Great info. Thanks Charlie.
Cheers
Tony

tubman · 07-06-2022, 07:52 PM

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".

JayChicago · 07-06-2022, 08:10 PM

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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.

Charlie ny · 07-06-2022, 08:26 PM

Guys,
All 12 tires are radials !
Charlie ny

tubman · 07-06-2022, 08:29 PM

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

Newc · 07-06-2022, 08:36 PM

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

GB SISSON · 07-06-2022, 09:14 PM

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

Farley's34 · 07-10-2022, 10:03 PM

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.

Dick Webber · 07-10-2022, 10:31 PM

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

Tinker · 07-11-2022, 12:55 AM

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.

ssffnomad · 07-11-2022, 07:48 AM

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

GLAmes · 07-11-2022, 01:46 PM

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?

slowforty · 07-12-2022, 09:09 AM

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

mfirth · 07-12-2022, 06:22 PM

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

Charlie ny · 07-13-2022, 06:35 AM

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

Ricosan · 07-13-2022, 07:13 AM

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

Charlie ny · 07-13-2022, 08:06 AM

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

07-06-2022, 06:35 PM	#1
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	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

07-06-2022, 06:38 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,166	Re: Just my takle on vintage tires Are the AMERICAN CLASSIC's bias ply or radial? __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

07-06-2022, 07:17 PM	#3
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,072	Re: Just my takle on vintage tires I have Coker Excelsior radials . . . expensive, but a very good tire.

07-06-2022, 07:52 PM	#5
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	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".

07-06-2022, 08:10 PM	#6
JayChicago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 732	Re: Just my takle on vintage tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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.

07-06-2022, 08:26 PM	#7
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Just my takle on vintage tires Guys, All 12 tires are radials ! Charlie ny

07-06-2022, 08:29 PM	#8
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Just my takle on vintage tires I like to drive my cars, so bias plies are not in the picture.

07-06-2022, 08:36 PM	#9
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,488	Re: Just my takle on vintage tires Burned '32 PU came with 17" 33/34 rims and bias Firestones. Just fine. Newc

07-06-2022, 09:14 PM	#10
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,946	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,,, __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

07-10-2022, 10:03 PM	#11
Farley's34 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Albany New York Posts: 505	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.

07-10-2022, 10:31 PM	#12
Dick Webber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bowling Green KY Posts: 337	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

07-11-2022, 12:55 AM	#13
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	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.

07-11-2022, 07:48 AM	#14
ssffnomad Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Upstate N.Y. Posts: 443	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

07-11-2022, 01:46 PM	#15
GLAmes Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 251	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? __________________ '54 Skyliner. Restoration in progress.

07-12-2022, 09:09 AM	#16
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,062	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.

07-12-2022, 06:22 PM	#17
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: Just my takle on vintage tires Modern blackwall tires with port-a-walls ...maybe ???? I've had egg shaped Cokers too.....

07-13-2022, 06:35 AM	#18
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	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

07-13-2022, 07:13 AM	#19
Ricosan Senior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 375	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

07-13-2022, 08:06 AM	#20
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	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